How accurate are the calorie readings on the Precor cardio equipment?

Precor calorie calculations rely on standard ACSM formulas for the treadmills, steppers, and bikes. Due to the unique motions of the EFX and AMT, the formulas for these products were developed by Dr. Emily Cooper of Seattle Performance Medicine. For the EFX, the equations consider user weight, age, ramp angle, resistance and stride rate. For the AMT, the formulas integrate user weight, age, resistance, stride rate, stride height and stride length.

For users who simply hit Quick Start without entering their personal parameters, the default age is set at 35 years old while the default weight varies slightly depending on the type of product. To get the most accurate caloric reading possible, exercisers should enter their personal weight and age information. However, exercisers must remember that these formulas simply translate mechanical output to human performance. This means that while they provide a sound estimate of calories burned, no cardio equipment will give a perfectly precise readout because each individual's fitness level, physiology and familiarity with the specific exercise stimulas will be different.

Here are a few ways the caloric readings can best inform workouts:

• The calorie calculation formulas used provide a sound estimate of calories burned
• If an exerciser trains regularly on the same product, he/she can use this data as general guidance to compare exercise exertion on different days
• Use the calorie readouts asa a coaching tool to vary the training stimulus - engaged exercisers will notice that caloric expenditure increases as they increase ramp angle, stride rate, resistence and other parameters per modality