How does a tracker know?

[suzieQ]

This may sound like a dumb question, but how does a calorie tracker/counter actually know how many calories you've burned? Just how accurate is the number?

[PamelaPoison]

You usually have to input some information about yourself into the app that goes with it. So the tracker counts how many steps you take and the speed you're going, then it factors that in with if you're male or female, your height, weight and other things. From that, it just guesses how many calories you're burning. As far as I know, they're "somewhat" accurate, at best, and they usually tell you that you're burning more than you are, just like the machines at the gym. Overall, it's meant to give you a guide, not a scientific tool.

[2strikes]

I think trackers combine position, altitude (no really, fitbit cna tell if you went up a floor), movement and heart rate. combined they tell calorie burning

[suzieQ]

I think trackers combine position, altitude (no really, fitbit cna tell if you went up a floor), movement and heart rate. combined they tell calorie burning

Wow. I had no idea that trackers did all that. Thanks for the input 2strikes.

PamelaPoison - Yeah, I had a feeling that the number trackers give you are not entirely accurate, because how could a machine actually know when you've actually burned a calorie. Glad to know its'a good guide though

[MadMike]

That is crazy...and disconcerting. I don't like to think that a device that can connect to the internet knows that much about me.

[1000kilowatts]

That is crazy...and disconcerting. I don't like to think that a device that can connect to the internet knows that much about me.

That's not a comforting thought...