Activity Modes

[JohnGrace]

I used to use activity modes on my Versa when going to the gym. Usually either “Weights” or “Workout”. Over 6 months, I averaged 400-450 calories per hour. My buddy recently said that when you use the modes, the calories are inflated. I tried a workout (EXACT Same leg workout as usual, same as 3 days before) without setting an Activity mode, and in 95 Minutes, I burned 310 Calories apparently.... big difference...

[Heather-S]

@JohnGrace The exercise modes build in your BMR calories, so it does look inflated. 

I don’t believe the same workouts will result in the same calories burned. There are too many factors — heart rate, effort, hormones, time of day — all that can factor in to how many calories you’re burning at any given time for any exercise. 

[JohnGrace]

By builds in BMR, do you mean that the FitBit takes into account other theoretical factors besides heart rate, such as thermogenic effects of excercise etc? That’s what I was sort of thinking, but I also noticed that the HR seems less accurate out of activity mode. Yesterday for example, after quick low rest sets of back squats, I manually counted my HR. Watch said 93, but I was counting closer to 120 at my carotid pulse.

[Baltoscott · Accepted solution]

@JohnGrace — If your Fitbit is in an activity mode it samples your HR more often, so it makes sense that it would be more accurate, or at least it is more accurately reflecting what is going on ‘right now’ as opposed to a couple of minutes ago.

[JohnGrace]

Thanks everyone!!