2011 Fitness Challenge Signup

[Pheidippides]

Fine with me, despite being totally screwed by placing the competition just after last week's century (6488 calories burned) and ending it just before this year's CUF Ride (August 5).

Mrs. PAC and I are in.

Yeah, but your half mary training starts in June if you are using Higdon's schedule.

[BigPiney]

I would prefer an online calculator. I just finished a 35 mile bike work out in about 90 minutes. I did it at level 7 and had several prolonged "climbs". The calorie counter on the bike told me I worked off about 900 calories. The tracker I use for diet and exercise said I burned more than 2000. I think it would be much more consistent if everyone used the same calculator.

Just so you know. You most likely didn't burn 2000 calories in 90 minutes. Of course if you were to ride 35 miles on a road bike in 90 minutes, we would expect you to be the lead man in the Tour de CUF this summer.

[ERCougar]

Just so you know. You most likely didn't burn 2000 calories in 90 minutes. Of course if you were to ride 35 miles on a road bike in 90 minutes, we would expect you to be the lead man in the Tour de CUF this summer.

That was my thought when I read it...
Still though, I'd believe 2000 calories for 35 miles, if you're a heavy guy. Problem is, most heavy guys can't do 35 miles in 90 minutes, but the calculator is giving you credit for transporting your weight. 2000 calories in 90 minutes is a really high calorie per hour rate.

Still, if you rode 35 miles, I have no problem giving you 2000 calories for it.

[CJF]

Just so you know. You most likely didn't burn 2000 calories in 90 minutes. Of course if you were to ride 35 miles on a road bike in 90 minutes, we would expect you to be the lead man in the Tour de CUF this summer.

Sorry, typed that on my iPod and didn't notice the 3. It was 25 miles not 35. I'm sure it wasn't 2000 calories. But that's my point. The machines and calculators are all over the map. Best to have one standard that everyone uses in my opinion.

[Coach McGuirk]

In...............Out. (Just adding to Steelblues joke)


I am in again.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Yeah, but your half mary training starts in June if you are using Higdon's schedule.

Yup, I'll be doing a slightly modified Higdon. The tough part is that I'll also be tuning up for the August 6 CUF ride, and continuing my 2-3 days of strength training each week. I guess I shall not want for calorie burning opportunities. Before long, I shall no longer be the Board's Montgomery Burns. I shall be the Board's Hume Cronyn.

[ERCougar]

I'm curious what livestrong does for weight lifting. That could be a stumbling block. Some guys spend a lot of time standing around between sets, while some are taking virtually no rest by alternating really quickly--would make a huge difference on burn rate. Do we just not give credit for weight lifting? For my calculator I've used the last few months, I just add up the time that I'm actually performing the exercise, so if I do 5 one-minute sets over 15 minutes, I count it as 5 minutes, but at running rates (mostly out of convenience--I just add 5 minutes to my running time).

[Pheidippides]

I'm curious what livestrong does for weight lifting. That could be a stumbling block. Some guys spend a lot of time standing around between sets, while some are taking virtually no rest by alternating really quickly--would make a huge difference on burn rate. Do we just not give credit for weight lifting? For my calculator I've used the last few months, I just add up the time that I'm actually performing the exercise, so if I do 5 one-minute sets over 15 minutes, I count it as 5 minutes, but at running rates (mostly out of convenience--I just add 5 minutes to my running time).

It has different effort levels and machine types. I generally think they are pretty accurate. I take brief rests between sets but not much - I use the straight calculation. I think it should work fine.

[CJF]

Sorry, typed that on my iPod and didn't notice the 3. It was 25 miles not 35. I'm sure it wasn't 2000 calories. But that's my point. The machines and calculators are all over the map. Best to have one standard that everyone uses in my opinion.

So I looked it up on Livestrong. According to their tool, stationary bicycling at 14-16 mph is considered vigorous. For me it is 26.2 calories a minute. I averaged just under 17 mph. Livestrong has my bike work at about 2350. I lifted weights after and that adds up to another 150 calories. So according to Lance Armstrong, I burned 2500 calories working out. I always liked that guy.

[ERCougar]

It has different effort levels and machine types. I generally think they are pretty accurate. I take brief rests between sets but not much - I use the straight calculation. I think it should work fine.

OK...last question...
Can we set an approved list of these online calculators? Personally, I don't care what calculator anyone uses--I think probably any of them online are probably pretty good. My only problem with livestrong is that you have to register, and the android app isn't the best (from reviews). I use myfitnesspal, which seems to work pretty well.
But really, I'm easy either way. I'll just enter in the calories from my calculator--I'm guessing they're using the same database.

[Jacob]

So I looked it up on Livestrong. According to their tool, stationary bicycling at 14-16 mph is considered vigorous. For me it is 26.2 calories a minute. I averaged just under 17 mph. Livestrong has my bike work at about 2350. I lifted weights after and that adds up to another 150 calories. So according to Lance Armstrong, I burned 2500 calories working out. I always liked that guy.

26.2/min is about 1500 calories per hour. Doesn't that seem high by a factor of 2?

[CJF]

26.2/min is about 1500 calories per hour. Doesn't that seem high by a factor of 2?

Not when you're grossly obese which I am. I'm in pretty good cardiovascular shape for a really fat guy. I've looked at three different calculators now. All have the same overall total within a couple of calories.

[CJF]

OK...last question...
Can we set an approved list of these online calculators? Personally, I don't care what calculator anyone uses--I think probably any of them online are probably pretty good. My only problem with livestrong is that you have to register, and the android app isn't the best (from reviews). I use myfitnesspal, which seems to work pretty well.
But really, I'm easy either way. I'll just enter in the calories from my calculator--I'm guessing they're using the same database.

I have been using MyNetDiary. I really like it. I've done a search to compare totals and I would agree with you. Most seem to be in line with the others. Livestrong actually gave me the highest burn, but only by 3 calories.

[ERCougar]

Not when you're grossly obese which I am. I'm in pretty good cardiovascular shape for a really fat guy. I've looked at three different calculators now. All have the same overall total within a couple of calories.

Are you riding a stationary bike or a regular bike?

If it's stationary, you should probably either use the machines numbers or an average weight of say 150. That's what I do when I ride my trainer.

[CJF]

Are you riding a stationary bike or a regular bike?

If it's stationary, you should probably either use the machines numbers or an average weight of say 150. That's what I do when I ride my trainer.

Stationary recumbent bike. Why lower the weight? All the calculators take your current weight into consideration. I update that daily.