I wonder if anyone can clarify the calculated calories on a Racer 3. I've just completed a fairly vigorous 50 minute session on the bike performing intervals with resistance through the full range and the computer says I have burned a mere 100 calories. Surely this can't be right? Can anyone confirm this or explain anything to the contrary? My heart rate monitor claims I burned more like 450.

Hi ghtgriffiths,

is it possible that you made a little mistake in quoting 100 cal instead of 100 Kcal (Kilocalories).

In case you indeed used an energy of 100 Kcal in 50 min. then the explanatory calculation is as follows:

100 Kcal = 419 KJoule (per definition)
1 Joule = 1 Watt * 1 sec
50 min = 3000 sec

419000 Joule = ? Watt * 3000 sec.

so your average Power on the pedals during 50 minutes was about 140 Watt. Which is good enough!

If your hearth monitor indicates 450 kcal then this means that your total body used this energy! Meaning the forces on the pedals and the energy used in your body for keeping the system working.

Best regards

Leo

Words are like leaves and where they most abound, much fruit of sense is rarely found.
Alexander Pope, (1688-1744)

Ergoracer seit 01.2014

Apologies, I indeed mean 100 kcal. But even then the Racer 3 computer quoting this figure after 50 minutes of fairly vigorous exercise appears a very conservative estimate and well short of where my heart rate monitor suggests.

In my experience the on board computers on machines of this sort over estimate kcal burned not significantly underestimate. I'm rather disappointed by this. I don't expect it to be perfect but somewhere closer to where my heart rate monitor suggests would be more reassuring.

I was wondering if it was connected correctly.

Hi ghtgriffiths,

Forget what all those fancy gadgets are suggesting you. I do not know the Racer 3 neither do I know your hearth monitor. But I do hope that the racer 3 is indicating the amount of Watts. And only this matters.
If you are exercising an average of 150 Watt an hour your total energy given to THE MACHINE is 150*3600= 540000 Joule or 540 KJoule or about 120 Kcal.
The fancy gadgets I mentioned are calculating the total energy of your body by means of algorithm; I have no inside knowledge of those algorithms but be sure that the aim is to get a real high figure, it sells better! The total used energy is what a body needs to survive, temp. of 37°C, blood circulation, muscle contraction, heart beats, energy of the brain (very high), etc... Your energy on the Racer is only a small part of this total energy.
Our Ergometer is only measuring the impact on the pedals and not including the rest of the body energy. Imagine an electrical bulb of 1000 Watt, only a part of this energy is visible light, perhaps only 20%, the rest is heat.... As an example: The ergometer is only measuring the light!

Best regards
Cyanno

Words are like leaves and where they most abound, much fruit of sense is rarely found.
Alexander Pope, (1688-1744)

Ergoracer seit 01.2014

Efficiency of the body is appr. 20-25%.

So if your net used energy on the pedals is 100kcal/50min,
the total energy your body used during your exercise,
is in the order of 400-500kcal/50min.

The HR watch calculates the total number of kcal your body used.

The Kettler Racer 3 does not have Watt control nor Watt display functions according the specifications.

So HR watch as well as Racer 3 make simple calculations.

The results of your watch as well as your Racer 3, do match for your workout.

However: you cannot expect high accuracy of the results.
Just see it as indication, which needs correct interpretation.

Weither the workout you did had a heavy, average of low intensity cannot be concluded from the info you provided.

Its your perception of your workout, you described above.

Example:

Interval: 200W(2min)/100W(3min) and then repetions would provide an average (weighted) power of 200x2+100x3/5= 140W (Watt). If you make the workout with a "steady" 140W the perception of the workout will be different. In numbers the average is the same, but the impact on your body is different.

Hope this helps.

[Dieser Beitrag wurde 2 mal bearbeitet, zuletzt am 2015-03-01T13:10Z.]

Wim

Past: Road only (real): abt 350km/week; Current: Road: 100-120km/week and Indoor: 100-120km/week