coldplayfan asked:


or walk at a 4.2 on an incline of 10.0 i burn the same amount of calories even though in 30 minutes i cover one less mile. also at the end of the walking i definately don’t sweat as much. am i really losing the same amount of calories without working out as hard. isn’t it your body that really tells you how much you’re working out?
you do put your weight and age in the treadmill

3 Responses to “do those calorie counters on the treadmills really work because if i run at a 6.3 and 1.0 incline or walk at?”

1. cjcourt on December 4th, 2008 7:33 pm

   There are so many variables that I don’t think the counter could be accurate. Does the treadmill know how much you weigh, how fit you are, how hard you’re working?

   An online calorie burn calculator that takes into account your weight and the intensity of your workout might be slightly more accurate.

   Re: your edit
   Well, if it has your weight and age then its accuracy is a little better. I still think you’re a better judge of which workout does more for you.

2. x_______ on December 6th, 2008 5:25 pm

   the treadmill will give you a ballpark number and can’t do better. for instance, it doesn’t know if a ten year old girl is exercising or a 300 pound man. There are a lot of variables it doesn’t take into account. you are right and make good points. more expensive/newer treadmills have user profiles. they take your age and weight/height ratio to better estimate calories burned.

3. heatedwirez on December 7th, 2008 7:24 am

   Generally they are not very accurate because they have generalised reference levels so that they are reasonably accurate for a majority of people who use them. So if your fit, or if your really really unfit, then it won’t be very accurate.

   Unless you buy one that is set up for your body (which is expensive) probably the most accurate way to measure is by how hard you feel you are working.