Are Bodygem and Gym RMR Readings Accurate? Part 2

Last post I briefly explained what an RMR test does and how you take one. Now we can cover if it’s a waste of your money and time or more so what is the answer to the above question (accuracy)? Are gym-RMR readings a waste of your time?

The answer is yes, they are.

The tests are chalk full of errors, cost too much, and you get more out of a online calculation then you will ever receive from a gym-RMR reading. Don’t waste your time or money, and if the trainer you are about to work with thinks that they are useful then move on from that trainer well. It means they just don’t get it.

Notice my use of the word GYM. This is critical to my discussion and reason for making such a bold statement above.

If we look back at what a RMR measures, it’s REST.

University and lab RMR readings  in general leave you looking somewhat like the picture below and for MANY hours, or at least they should in theory.

But I won’t get into the flaws of RMR readings in studies at this time. Instead I want to cover flaws that occur in a gym atmosphere.

The oxygen readings that RMR machines produce are based off the principal of indirect calorimetry.

It is called  indirect  because the caloric burn rate is calculated from a measurement of oxygen uptake. Indirect calorimetry relies on the fact that burning 1 calorie (Kilocalorie) requires 208.06 milliliters of oxygen. Less oxygen means less calories you burn, more oxygen means more calories burned.

Got it?

Using your own common sense, what in your day affects your breathing patterns? What do we know would increase or decrease the rate of breath?

Starting to piece it together aren’t you?

It can be very easy to throw off a 10 minute reading of your RMR in that kind of situation.

  1. Did you eat before hand?
  2. How active were you?
  3. How still were you?
  4. Do you like things on your nose?
  5. Are you thinking about your breathing?
  6. Is there outside stimulation?

Basically you have to imagine while you are taking the test that you are completely at sleep and at east. I know it would take myself more than 5-10 mins to get to a point where I calm myself down and then the test would need some additional time to track variables. If you hold your breath, if there is a leak, if they are stupid, all of it can change the results. The truth is that these tests, while accurate in a lab setting, are just not implemented correctly in gym settings.

IF you are going to pay for a RMR test then please contact a local university for one. Most schools have them, and they are cheaper and more accurate on average. A few other tips:

  • Make sure that they last at least 45 minutes for the test and you are in a dark room with a very air-tight ventilation system. This is not a blow your drunk rating test. Puffing on a tube or wearing an oxygen mask isn’t going to cover it.
  • Make sure you have not eaten in the last 5 hours.
  • Make sure you do not drink any caffeine.
  • Make sure that while taking the test you try to relax as much as possible. For some of you it probably won’t happen until you fall asleep. I’m not trying to be critical, I can’t relax under a bubble either.

Above all else, chances are if you are going to do something like an RMR test, you need more help then this test will give you anyway. You need the right education.

Come get it here.

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Date
July 9th, 2008

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Leigh Peele

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1 Comments


  1. Christine
    1

    Thanks Leigh for answering my question. The results of my rmr testing really influenced what I perceived my maintenance calories to be. Thanks for clearing that up. I am starting your OPT workouts tomorrow and adjusted my calories to what you recommended. I’ll let you know my results.

    July 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

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