How We Calculate Your Exercise Energy Expenditure

We automatically use the best data from your devices to give you accurate estimations.

For cycling, we usually start with power data. For running, swimming, and other sports, we start with calories from your device.

How It Works by Sport

🚴Cycling (Road, Mountain, Gravel, Cyclo-cross)

Cycling is different - we usually start with power data when available.

🔧 If you have personal efficiency set: We use your power and work data first for maximum precision, then calories from your device, then METs calculation as final backup.

This is the most common case for serious cyclists.

If workout is complete but no efficiency set: Calories from your device, then power calculations (21.7% efficiency), then METs calculation.

Why: Power meters give us the most precise data for cycling, so we use that when we have your personal efficiency. Device calories are next best, with METs calculation as our scientific backup.

🏃Running & Swimming

Always starts with calories from your device.

Why: Your wearable provides consistent accurate estimations of exercise energy expenditure. Pace calculations and METs provide scientific backups when needed.

⚽Everything Else

Football, tennis, basketball, hiking, gym workouts, etc.

Always starts with calories from your device.

Simple and reliable: Your device provides consistent calorie data based on your heart rate and activity. METs calculation provides a scientific backup when device data isn't available.

📊 About METs Calculations

What are METs? Metabolic Equivalents - a way to estimate energy expenditure based on your effort level and activity type.

When we use it: As a backup when device calories and other data aren't available. We use your perceived effort level combined with standard metabolic rates for different activities.

Why it works: It's a scientifically-backed method that provides reasonable estimates even when we don't have device data.

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Bottom Line

For cycling, we use power data when you have efficiency settings for maximum precision. For other sports, we use your device's calorie estimation as the primary method. We always have METs calculation as a scientific backup when other data isn't available.

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