Exercise Intensity

The Best and Worst Ways to Measure a Workout

Sore muscles, target heart rate, calorie burn, and more. Our expert sounds off on the legitimate and not-so-legitimate ways we assess a workout well done
By Emily G. W. Chau fitbie
 

How Many Calories the Machine Said You Burned

Watching the number of calories that you’ve burned tick upward can be a motivator to eke out a few more minutes on the elliptical, but it’s not the end-all, be-all. In fact, elliptical machines overestimate the number of calories burned by as much as 30%, according to research presented at a National Strength and Conditioning Conference.

Since there’s such a margin of error, you’re better off focusing on the intensity of your workout and your form, says Matthews. Rather than go at a steady pace, change your incline or incorporate intervals to maximize your time on the machine.

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