Buzz
If you base your cardio workouts on which exercise burns the most calories, you’ve probably noticed that the elliptical machine often takes the top spot. (This is the machine where your legs mimic running but remain in contact with the pedals the whole time.) However, calorie counts displayed on machines are often far from accurate, and the elliptical is no exception.
The machine’s understanding of you is limited—typically only knowing your weight and heart rate. From that, it makes estimates about calorie burn, factoring in both the machine’s movement and your effort. The more you weigh, the higher your calorie expenditure. Likewise, the faster you pedal, the greater your calorie burn.
A study published last year compared the calorie burn on a Precor elliptical to actual calorie expenditure measured with lab equipment. In this study, participants pressed the “quick start” button, which prompts the machine to assume the user weighs 150 pounds, is 35 years old, and male.
The outcome: after a 30-minute session, the elliptical’s calorie readout was 128 calories higher than the more accurate measurement from the lab. If you were using that number to determine your daily calorie deficit (for example, trying to burn 500 calories more than you consumed), you’d be significantly off.
However, the reality is that you shouldn’t fixate on the exact calorie count from your workout. Unless a scientist is tracking your every move with a computer and an oxygen mask, you’re only getting a rough estimate of the calories burned. Gym machines often inflate the calorie numbers because, well, people love seeing high figures. So if there’s a discrepancy between your elliptical’s display and your Fitbit, trust the lower value. But the best strategy might just be to ignore activity calorie counts altogether.
