Why am I burning fewer calories on Peloton??

[Anonymous]

I've had Peloton for 2 years and typically use it 2-4 times a week, 30 minutes. When I first got it, I could burn 10 calories per minute (so 300 calories for 30 minutes) and my personal bests were usually at 310, 315.

It's gotten steadily worse. I feel like I am working just as hard, but am only burning 270-280 calories in 30 minutes - so 9 calories per minute basically. I am actually in better shape than when I started Peloton (not dramatically, but better nonetheless), so what gives?

I'm not freaking out about burning 30 calories less, but am confused about why it feels just as hard today as it did 18 months ago, but the numbers tell me I am not working as hard. Has anyone else experienced this or know why it might be?

[Anonymous]

Because you're in better shape your body doesn't have to work as hard. You need to up your resistance as you get stronger so your body still has to work.

[Anonymous]

I think your mistake is thinking these machines actually know how many calories you're burning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your mistake is thinking these machines actually know how many calories you're burning.

Calorie measurements with a power meter is very accurate. OP, this explains the formulas- https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/how-accurate-is-that-calorie-reading/

[Anonymous]

Did you lose weight and enter your new data?

My treadmill workout is around 600 calories if I use my weight, but says I burned 1300 calories if I accidentally do it on my husband's user profile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your mistake is thinking these machines actually know how many calories you're burning.

I get that it might be off. But it's quite consistent - the output and calories burned was higher when I started than it is now.

To the PP about being in better shape now....wouldn't that mean that if I'm working at the same resistance and cadence as I did 2 years ago, it would feel easier now because I'm in better shape, but the calories burned would be the same.

I know this is not that important but it is interesting to me how the body works -- I feel like I'm working so hard, just as hard as it was 2 years ago - it's definitely not gotten any easier - so why is my output decreasing??!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you lose weight and enter your new data?

My treadmill workout is around 600 calories if I use my weight, but says I burned 1300 calories if I accidentally do it on my husband's user profile.

No, I haven't changed my weight or data on the machine. And I really haven't lost or gained weight since I started, it's roughly the same - within 5 pounds anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you lose weight and enter your new data?

My treadmill workout is around 600 calories if I use my weight, but says I burned 1300 calories if I accidentally do it on my husband's user profile.

No, I haven't changed my weight or data on the machine. And I really haven't lost or gained weight since I started, it's roughly the same - within 5 pounds anyway.

It doesn't sound like you are working hard enough, you are just riding the same type of rides at the same speed and intensity.

What are the metrics of your rides when you started and now?

time, distance, average speed, average cadence, output?

[Anonymous]

This happened to me. I have had mine for years. I think I’m not working as hard. I’ve recently started switching up my cycling with running again.

[Anonymous]

You answered your own question. You’re in better shape. It doesn’t take as much effort to do what you did before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your mistake is thinking these machines actually know how many calories you're burning.

Calorie measurements with a power meter is very accurate. OP, this explains the formulas- https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/how-accurate-is-that-calorie-reading/

OP, looking into peloton, I was wrong. There is no real power meter, just estimates based and knob position. If you are really concerned about accurate calorie burn, you can swap out the pedals for pedals that contain power meters

[Anonymous]

Yes, the body quickly adapts to make things as easy and efficient as possible so that it can conserve energy. Why do you think you'd be burning more calories as you got in better shape? That doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the body quickly adapts to make things as easy and efficient as possible so that it can conserve energy. Why do you think you'd be burning more calories as you got in better shape? That doesn't make sense.

I understand that, but I guess I thought if I were burning fewer calories because I'm in better shape, the rides would feel easier. My point is, they feel just as hard if not harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the body quickly adapts to make things as easy and efficient as possible so that it can conserve energy. Why do you think you'd be burning more calories as you got in better shape? That doesn't make sense.

I understand that, but I guess I thought if I were burning fewer calories because I'm in better shape, the rides would feel easier. My point is, they feel just as hard if not harder.

You don't really know that without a time machine. If they've gotten incrementally a teeeeny tiny bit easier, you're going to feel like they're just as hard. But I bet if you were able to go back and experience that first ride again and compare to today, you would actually notice that it was quite a bit harder in the beginning.

Take it as a win! You're getting stronger; not just your muscles but your lungs and especially your heart. You've done great things for your body and that's what matters.

[Anonymous]

Get a smart watch that can calculate according to your heart rate.