Heart Rate Monitors and Calorie Expenditure

What a heart rate monitor does is self-explanatory. But did you know that some models include rough estimation of the calories burned during training?

Energy expenditure, expressed in Kcal, is a typical feature in most modern generation of heart rate monitors. To name a few, Polar F4, F6, F11, and S-410 models can predict this value depending on an individual’s personal information such as the gender and body weight. But an important factor to the calculation of caloric expenditure is the user’s heart rate.

The intensity of the workout is also said to contribute to the calories burned. Intensities are classified as target heart rate zones. Calories are burned at different rates for each zone. The following numbers are the predictable number of calories burned each minute.

Low Fitness Level 3-7 calories per minute

Low Intensity or Temperate Zone 7-12 calories per minute

Moderate Intensity or Aerobic Zone 12-17 calories per minute

High Intensity or Anaerobic Threshold 17-20 calories per minute

Maximum Intensity or Red light Zone >20 calories per minute

**The figures stated above are only approximations than the actual calories expenditure.

As the intensity grows higher, the calorie expenditure also increases. The maximum intensity burns the highest amount of calories however, the length of time dedicated to training at this rate should be very short as lactic acid easily accumulates. On the other hand, fats are burned at a different rate than carbohydrates. Fats burn because of the presence of oxygen. That is why on the first and second training zone, 85% of the burned calories are fats. Once in the anaerobic threshold, the amount of fat burned is lower.

With the use of the heart rate monitor, a person will know if he is exercising at the intensity right enough to burn calories and body fat. In addition, it also keeps a record of the amount of calories gained and lost to help an individual reach his/her fitness goals.