{"id":2444,"date":"2026-10-09T10:18:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T10:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/?p=2444"},"modified":"2026-10-09T10:23:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T10:23:35","slug":"resting-metabolic-rate-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Resting Metabolic Rate Test: Cost, Prep and Real Accuracy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A resting metabolic rate test measures the oxygen you breathe in and the carbon dioxide you breathe out while lying still, then converts that into calories burned at rest. A well run lab test repeats within about 5 percent from one day to the next. The free formula and cheap handheld devices can miss by more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"msq-audio\" data-article=\"resting-metabolic-rate-test\" data-minutes=\"11\">\n<style>.msq-audio{margin:1.25em 0 1.75em;padding:16px 18px;background:#EEF3F8;border:1px solid #CBD8E6;border-radius:12px}\n.msq-audio-lead{margin:0 0 8px;font-size:.95em}.msq-audio audio{width:100%;margin:0 0 12px;display:block}\n.msq-toc-title{margin:0 0 6px;font-weight:700}.msq-toc ol{margin:0;padding:0;list-style:none}\n.msq-toc li{display:flex;gap:10px;align-items:center;padding:6px 6px;border-bottom:1px solid #CBD8E6;border-radius:8px}\n.msq-toc li:last-child{border-bottom:0}.msq-toc li.is-active{background:#fff}\n.msq-toc-play{flex:0 0 auto;width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;border:0;background:#1F4E79;color:#fff;font:inherit;font-size:.72em;line-height:30px;padding:0;cursor:pointer}\n.msq-toc-play.is-playing{background:#B4531A}\n.msq-toc-time{flex:0 0 auto;min-width:3.1em;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums;color:#4A5560;font-size:.9em}\n.msq-toc a{color:#1B1F24;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.35}.msq-toc li.is-active a{font-weight:700;color:#1F4E79}\n.msq-audio-note{margin:10px 0 0;font-size:.82em;color:#4A5560}\nh2.wp-block-heading[id]{scroll-margin-top:24px}\n.msq-hplay{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;width:26px;height:26px;margin:0 0 0 10px;border-radius:50%;border:0;background:#1F4E79;cursor:pointer;padding:0;position:relative;top:-2px}\n.msq-hplay::before{content:'\u25b6\ufe0e';display:block;color:#fff;font-size:11px;line-height:26px;text-align:center}\n.msq-hplay.is-playing{background:#B4531A}.msq-hplay.is-playing::before{content:'\u2016';font-size:13px;font-weight:700}\n.msq-bar{position:fixed;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;z-index:9000;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 12px;padding-bottom:calc(8px + env(safe-area-inset-bottom));background:#FFFFFF;border-top:1px solid #CBD8E6;box-shadow:0 -4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,.08);font-size:.92em;color:#1B1F24;transition:transform .2s ease}\n.msq-bar.is-hidden{transform:translateY(130%)}\n.msq-bar-play{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;border:0;border-radius:999px;background:#1F4E79;color:#fff;font:inherit;font-weight:700;padding:8px 14px 8px 12px;cursor:pointer;white-space:nowrap}\n.msq-bar-play.is-playing{background:#B4531A}\n.msq-bar-icon::before{content:'\u25b6\ufe0e';font-size:12px}.msq-bar-play.is-playing .msq-bar-icon::before{content:'\u2016';font-size:14px;font-weight:700}\n.msq-bar-chapter{flex:1 1 auto;min-width:0;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap}\n.msq-bar-time{flex:0 0 auto;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums;color:#4A5560;font-size:.9em}\n.msq-bar-rate,.msq-bar-close{flex:0 0 auto;border:1px solid #CBD8E6;background:#fff;color:#1B1F24;font:inherit;font-size:.85em;line-height:1;border-radius:8px;padding:7px 9px;cursor:pointer}\n.msq-bar-close::before{content:'\u2715'}\n.msq-bar.msq-bar-pill{left:auto;right:14px;bottom:14px;padding:6px;padding-bottom:6px;border:1px solid #CBD8E6;border-radius:999px;box-shadow:0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,.15)}\n.msq-bar.msq-bar-pill .msq-bar-chapter,.msq-bar.msq-bar-pill .msq-bar-time,.msq-bar.msq-bar-pill .msq-bar-rate{display:none}\nbody.msq-has-bar{padding-bottom:76px}\n@media (max-width:600px){.msq-bar-time{display:none}.msq-bar{gap:8px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px}}\n.msq-s.msq-now{background:#EEF3F8;box-shadow:0 2px 0 #1F4E79;border-radius:2px}\ntr.msq-now td,tr.msq-now th{background:#EEF3F8;box-shadow:inset 0 -2px 0 #1F4E79}\n@media (hover:hover){.msq-s,tr[data-i]{cursor:pointer}.msq-s:hover{background:#EEF3F8}}<\/style>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"AudioObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#audio\",\"name\":\"Resting Metabolic Rate Test: Cost, Prep and Real Accuracy, read aloud\",\"description\":\"Synthetic voice reading of the article, recorded 9 October 2026.\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-audio-202610091553.mp3\",\"encodingFormat\":\"audio\/mpeg\",\"duration\":\"PT10M33S\",\"uploadDate\":\"2026-10-09\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"isAccessibleForFree\":true,\"mainEntityOfPage\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/\",\"hasPart\":[{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"Resting Metabolic Rate Test: Cost, Prep and Real Accuracy\",\"startOffset\":0,\"endOffset\":67},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"What does a resting metabolic rate test actually measure?\",\"startOffset\":67,\"endOffset\":120,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#what-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-actually-measure\"},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"How should you prepare for an RMR test?\",\"startOffset\":120,\"endOffset\":214,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#how-should-you-prepare-for-an-rmr-test\"},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"How accurate is a measured RMR compared with the free formula?\",\"startOffset\":214,\"endOffset\":377,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#how-accurate-is-a-measured-rmr-compared-with-the-free-formul\"},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"Are handheld breath devices as good as a lab metabolic cart?\",\"startOffset\":377,\"endOffset\":450,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#are-handheld-breath-devices-as-good-as-a-lab-metabolic-cart\"},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"How much does a resting metabolic rate test cost?\",\"startOffset\":450,\"endOffset\":512,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#how-much-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-cost\"},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"Who gets something useful from a measured number?\",\"startOffset\":512,\"endOffset\":569,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#who-gets-something-useful-from-a-measured-number\"},{\"@type\":\"Clip\",\"name\":\"What can a measured RMR not tell you?\",\"startOffset\":569,\"endOffset\":633,\"url\":\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/resting-metabolic-rate-test\/#what-can-a-measured-rmr-not-tell-you\"}],\"contentSize\":\"4.4 MB\"}<\/script>\n<p class=\"msq-audio-lead\"><strong>Listen to this article<\/strong>, about 11 minutes. A synthetic voice reads the article and announces each section title as it begins; tables are read row by row and the questions at the end are left out.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"msq-audio-player\" controls preload=\"metadata\" src=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-audio-202610091553.mp3\"><\/audio>\n<nav class=\"msq-toc\" aria-label=\"In this article\"><p class=\"msq-toc-title\">In this article<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-start=\"0.0\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"0.0\" aria-label=\"Play from: Resting Metabolic Rate Test: Cost, Prep and Real Accuracy\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">0:00<\/span><a href=\"#top\">Resting Metabolic Rate Test: Cost, Prep and Real Accuracy<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"66.58\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"66.58\" aria-label=\"Play from: What does a resting metabolic rate test actually measure?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">1:07<\/span><a href=\"#what-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-actually-measure\">What does a resting metabolic rate test actually measure?<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"119.92\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"119.92\" aria-label=\"Play from: How should you prepare for an RMR test?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">2:00<\/span><a href=\"#how-should-you-prepare-for-an-rmr-test\">How should you prepare for an RMR test?<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"214.26\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"214.26\" aria-label=\"Play from: How accurate is a measured RMR compared with the free formula?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">3:34<\/span><a href=\"#how-accurate-is-a-measured-rmr-compared-with-the-free-formul\">How accurate is a measured RMR compared with the free formula?<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"377.24\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"377.24\" aria-label=\"Play from: Are handheld breath devices as good as a lab metabolic cart?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">6:17<\/span><a href=\"#are-handheld-breath-devices-as-good-as-a-lab-metabolic-cart\">Are handheld breath devices as good as a lab metabolic cart?<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"449.66\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"449.66\" aria-label=\"Play from: How much does a resting metabolic rate test cost?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">7:30<\/span><a href=\"#how-much-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-cost\">How much does a resting metabolic rate test cost?<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"512.48\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"512.48\" aria-label=\"Play from: Who gets something useful from a measured number?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">8:32<\/span><a href=\"#who-gets-something-useful-from-a-measured-number\">Who gets something useful from a measured number?<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"568.66\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-toc-play\" data-start=\"568.66\" aria-label=\"Play from: What can a measured RMR not tell you?\">&#x25B6;&#xFE0E;<\/button><span class=\"msq-toc-time\">9:29<\/span><a href=\"#what-can-a-measured-rmr-not-tell-you\">What can a measured RMR not tell you?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol><\/nav>\n<p class=\"msq-audio-note\">Recorded 9 October 2026 from the article as published that day. Press a chapter to jump there; the highlighted line is what is playing. A play button sits beside every section heading, and once you scroll past this player a bar at the bottom of the screen keeps the controls in reach. Tap or click any sentence to hear the reading start from there.<\/p>\n<script>var MSQ_SENT = [[0.0,\"h\",\"restingmetabolicratetest\",47],[4.72,\"p\",\"arestingmetabolicratetes\",141],[16.24,\"p\",\"awellrunlabtestrepeatswi\",60],[21.28,\"p\",\"thefreeformulaandcheapha\",50],[25.12,\"p\",\"onthispagetheerrorofalab\",189],[40.24,\"p\",\"mostpagesrankingforthisa\",122],[49.12,\"p\",\"thequestionareaderactual\",89],[56.6,\"p\",\"theanswerdependsontwonum\",99],[63.56,\"p\",\"botharebelowwiththeirstu\",28],[66.58,\"h\",\"whatdoesarestingmetaboli\",48],[69.98,\"p\",\"arestingmetabolicratetes\",48],[74.3,\"p\",\"youlieorsitstillwithamas\",146],[84.38,\"p\",\"burningfuelusesoxygenina\",80],[90.34,\"p\",\"itistheonlyfitnesstestyo\",61],[95.06,\"p\",\"whatcomesoutisyourrestin\",99],[102.14,\"p\",\"itisnotthecaloriesyoubur\",31],[104.74,\"p\",\"movementanddigestionsito\",80],[110.9,\"p\",\"atestresultisalsonotamet\",105],[119.92,\"h\",\"howshouldyouprepareforan\",31],[122.12,\"p\",\"preparationdecideswhethe\",113],[129.44,\"p\",\"theacademyofnutritionand\",57],[132.96,\"p\",\"its2015updatefullmerandc\",236],[151.68,\"p\",\"itfoundthattheeffectsofc\",146],[162.4,\"p\",\"twohonestcaveatssitinsid\",35],[165.2,\"p\",\"itfoundnostudiesatallonh\",124],[174.16,\"p\",\"italsodisagreeswiththeea\",114],[182.8,\"p\",\"solabsfillthegapswithcau\",28],[184.92,\"p\",\"theuniversityofrhodeisla\",140],[194.88,\"p\",\"temperaturemattersmoreth\",38],[197.36,\"p\",\"onestudyinthatreviewfoun\",113],[206.72,\"p\",\"thepretestchecklistfurth\",90],[214.26,\"h\",\"howaccurateisameasuredrm\",51],[218.22,\"p\",\"hereisthecomparisonthebo\",42],[220.98,\"p\",\"aformulalikemifflinstjeo\",62],[225.98,\"p\",\"a2005systematicreviewbyf\",166],[239.1,\"p\",\"theshareiscommonlyquoted\",116],[247.74,\"p\",\"ina2025studyofyoungwomen\",76],[254.78,\"p\",\"agoodlabtestisnotperfect\",30],[257.5,\"p\",\"ina2021studyinnutrients1\",121],[267.98,\"p\",\"soawellruntestusuallylan\",107],[275.58,\"p\",\"formostpeoplethatisthewh\",47],[279.26,\"t\",\"mifflinstjeorformulafree\",248],[299.82,\"t\",\"labmetaboliccartsamepers\",138],[312.5,\"t\",\"handhelddevicemedgemagai\",167],[329.86,\"t\",\"samehandhelddeviceinadol\",166],[345.94,\"p\",\"putincaloriesforsomeonew\",169],[359.34,\"p\",\"thechartbesidethissectio\",42],[363.46,\"p\",\"eventhedataprocessingmov\",207],[377.24,\"h\",\"arehandheldbreathdevices\",49],[381.04,\"p\",\"thecheaperrouteisahandhe\",87],[387.56,\"p\",\"thesemeasureoxygenandass\",77],[392.72,\"p\",\"inandersonandcolleagues2\",121],[404.0,\"p\",\"when10ofthemrepeatedthet\",120],[414.2,\"p\",\"theerrorsdonotevengothes\",42],[416.68,\"p\",\"ina2016studyof39adolesce\",137],[430.28,\"p\",\"adevicethatcanmissby457c\",110],[440.4,\"p\",\"bodycompositionscalestha\",139],[449.66,\"h\",\"howmuchdoesarestingmetab\",40],[452.78,\"p\",\"universityexerciselabsar\",97],[459.94,\"p\",\"privateclinicsandfitness\",128],[468.3,\"t\",\"universityofrhodeisland\",142],[483.22,\"t\",\"eastcarolinauniversity\",133],[496.42,\"p\",\"beforepayinganywherethre\",155],[507.26,\"p\",\"aproviderthatcannotanswe\",66],[512.48,\"h\",\"whogetssomethingusefulfr\",41],[514.48,\"p\",\"formulasarebuiltonaverag\",72],[519.64,\"p\",\"the2005reviewnotedthatol\",122],[528.68,\"p\",\"a2023metaanalysisofathle\",132],[539.8,\"p\",\"someoneverymuscularsomeo\",157],[550.12,\"p\",\"somemedicalconditionsand\",164],[560.72,\"p\",\"agymprintoutisnotadiagno\",87],[568.66,\"h\",\"whatcanameasuredrmrnotte\",29],[571.82,\"p\",\"itcannottellyouwhatyoubu\",108],[579.42,\"p\",\"itcannottellyouwhetheryo\",100],[587.26,\"p\",\"anditcannotberaisedmuchb\",150],[598.98,\"p\",\"whereameasuredfigurehelp\",74],[605.02,\"p\",\"anyonewhothenbuildsacalo\",114],[613.3,\"p\",\"ifthefreeestimateandyour\",109],[621.14,\"p\",\"thisarticleisgeneralinfo\",109],[629.22,\"p\",\"speaktoyourdoctoraboutyo\",38]];\n(function(){\n  function init(){\n  var root = document.querySelector('.msq-audio'); if (!root) { return; }\n  var audio = root.querySelector('audio'), items = Array.prototype.slice.call(root.querySelectorAll('.msq-toc li'));\n  var starts = items.map(function(li){ return parseFloat(li.getAttribute('data-start')) || 0; });\n  var names = items.map(function(li){ return li.querySelector('a').textContent; });\n  var anchors = items.map(function(li){ var h = li.querySelector('a').getAttribute('href') || ''; return (h.charAt(0) === '#' && h !== '#top') ? document.getElementById(h.slice(1)) : null; });\n  var article = root.getAttribute('data-article') || location.pathname, minutes = root.getAttribute('data-minutes') || '';\n  var marks = {}, started = false, pausedAt = -1, closed = false, ended = false;\n  var RATES = [1, 1.25, 1.5], rate = 1;\n  try { var saved = parseFloat(localStorage.getItem('msq-audio-rate')); if (RATES.indexOf(saved) >= 0) { rate = saved; } } catch (e) {}\n  audio.playbackRate = rate;\n  function track(name, extra){ try { if (typeof gtag === 'function') { var p = { article: article }; for (var k in extra) { p[k] = extra[k]; } gtag('event', name, p); } } catch (e) {} }\n  function current(){ var t = audio.currentTime, idx = 0; for (var i = 0; starts.length > i; i += 1) { if (t + 0.25 >= starts[i]) { idx = i; } } return idx; }\n  function onScreen(){\n    var line = window.innerHeight \/ 3, idx = 0;\n    for (var i = 0; anchors.length > i; i += 1) { var el = anchors[i]; if (el && line >= el.getBoundingClientRect().top) { idx = i; } }\n    return idx;\n  }\n  function fmt(s){ s = Math.max(0, Math.round(s || 0)); var m = Math.floor(s \/ 60), r = s % 60; return m + ':' + (10 > r ? '0' : '') + r; }\n  function play(from, source){\n    if (from !== null) { audio.currentTime = from; }\n    var p = audio.play(); if (p && p.catch) { p.catch(function(){}); }\n    track(from === null ? 'audio_resume' : 'audio_chapter', { chapter: names[current()], start: Math.round(audio.currentTime), source: source });\n  }\n  var hbtns = anchors.map(function(el, i){\n    if (!el) { return null; }\n    var b = document.createElement('button'); b.type = 'button'; b.className = 'msq-hplay'; b.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Play this section: ' + names[i]);\n    b.addEventListener('click', function(){\n      if (!audio.paused && current() === i) { audio.pause(); track('audio_pause', { source: 'heading' }); return; }\n      play(starts[i], 'heading');\n    });\n    el.appendChild(b); return b;\n  });\n  var bar = document.createElement('div'); bar.className = 'msq-bar msq-bar-pill is-hidden'; bar.setAttribute('role', 'region'); bar.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Audio player');\n  var playBtn = document.createElement('button'); playBtn.type = 'button'; playBtn.className = 'msq-bar-play';\n  var icon = document.createElement('span'); icon.className = 'msq-bar-icon'; icon.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');\n  var label = document.createElement('span'); label.className = 'msq-bar-label';\n  playBtn.appendChild(icon); playBtn.appendChild(label);\n  var chap = document.createElement('span'); chap.className = 'msq-bar-chapter';\n  var clock = document.createElement('span'); clock.className = 'msq-bar-time';\n  var rateBtn = document.createElement('button'); rateBtn.type = 'button'; rateBtn.className = 'msq-bar-rate'; rateBtn.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Playback speed');\n  var closeBtn = document.createElement('button'); closeBtn.type = 'button'; closeBtn.className = 'msq-bar-close'; closeBtn.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Close the audio bar');\n  bar.appendChild(playBtn); bar.appendChild(chap); bar.appendChild(clock); bar.appendChild(rateBtn); bar.appendChild(closeBtn);\n  document.body.appendChild(bar);\n  function showRate(){ rateBtn.textContent = (rate === 1 ? '1' : String(rate)) + 'x'; }\n  showRate();\n  rateBtn.addEventListener('click', function(){\n    rate = RATES[(RATES.indexOf(rate) + 1) % RATES.length]; audio.playbackRate = rate; showRate();\n    try { localStorage.setItem('msq-audio-rate', String(rate)); } catch (e) {}\n    track('audio_rate', { rate: rate });\n  });\n  closeBtn.addEventListener('click', function(){\n    closed = true; if (!audio.paused) { audio.pause(); } paint(); track('audio_bar_close', {});\n  });\n  function mode(){\n    if (!audio.paused) { return 'pause'; }\n    if (ended) { return 'again'; }\n    if (!started) { return 'listen'; }\n    return (pausedAt === onScreen()) ? 'resume' : 'section';\n  }\n  playBtn.addEventListener('click', function(){\n    var m = mode();\n    if (m === 'pause') { audio.pause(); track('audio_pause', { source: 'bar' }); return; }\n    if (m === 'again') { ended = false; play(0, 'bar'); return; }\n    if (m === 'resume') { play(null, 'bar'); return; }\n    play(starts[onScreen()], 'bar');\n  });\n  function paint(){\n    var idx = current(), playing = !audio.paused, m = mode();\n    items.forEach(function(li, i){\n      var on = (i === idx) && playing, b = li.querySelector('.msq-toc-play'), a = li.querySelector('a');\n      li.classList.toggle('is-active', on); b.classList.toggle('is-playing', on);\n      b.textContent = on ? '\u2016' : '\u25b6\ufe0e';\n      b.setAttribute('aria-label', (on ? 'Pause: ' : 'Play from: ') + a.textContent);\n    });\n    hbtns.forEach(function(b, i){ if (b) { var on = (i === idx) && playing; b.classList.toggle('is-playing', on); b.setAttribute('aria-label', (on ? 'Pause this section: ' : 'Play this section: ') + names[i]); } });\n    playBtn.classList.toggle('is-playing', playing);\n    label.textContent = m === 'pause' ? 'Pause' : m === 'again' ? 'Play again' : m === 'resume' ? 'Resume' : m === 'section' ? 'Play this section' : 'Listen, ' + minutes + ' min';\n    playBtn.setAttribute('aria-label', label.textContent);\n    chap.textContent = started ? names[(playing || m === 'resume') ? idx : onScreen()] : '';\n    clock.textContent = started ? fmt(audio.currentTime) + ' \/ ' + fmt(audio.duration) : '';\n    bar.classList.toggle('msq-bar-pill', !started);\n    var show = !closed && (started || 0 > root.getBoundingClientRect().bottom);\n    bar.classList.toggle('is-hidden', !show);\n    document.body.classList.toggle('msq-has-bar', show);\n  }\n  root.addEventListener('click', function(e){\n    var b = e.target.closest ? e.target.closest('.msq-toc-play') : null; if (!b) { return; }\n    var li = b.parentNode, s = parseFloat(b.getAttribute('data-start')) || 0;\n    if (!audio.paused && current() === items.indexOf(li)) { audio.pause(); track('audio_pause', { source: 'index' }); return; }\n    play(s, 'index');\n  });\n  audio.addEventListener('play', function(){ ended = false; closed = false; if (!started) { started = true; track('audio_play', { minutes: Math.round((audio.duration || 0) \/ 60) }); } paint(); });\n  audio.addEventListener('pause', function(){ pausedAt = current(); paint(); });\n  audio.addEventListener('timeupdate', function(){\n    paint();\n    if (audio.duration > 0) {\n      var pct = Math.floor(audio.currentTime \/ audio.duration * 100);\n      [25, 50, 75].forEach(function(m){ if (pct >= m && !marks[m]) { marks[m] = true; track('audio_progress', { percent: m }); } });\n    }\n  });\n  audio.addEventListener('ended', function(){ ended = true; track('audio_complete', {}); paint(); });\n  var ticking = false;\n  function onScroll(){ if (ticking) { return; } ticking = true; setTimeout(function(){ ticking = false; paint(); }, 80); }\n  window.addEventListener('scroll', onScroll, { passive: true }); window.addEventListener('resize', onScroll);\n  paint();\n  }\n  if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', init); } else { init(); }\n})();\n\n(function(){\n  function start(){\n    var root = document.querySelector('.msq-audio'), audio = root ? root.querySelector('audio') : null;\n    var map = (typeof MSQ_SENT !== 'undefined') ? MSQ_SENT : [];\n    if (!root || !audio || !map.length) { return; }\n    var scope = root.closest('main') || root.closest('article') || root.closest('.entry-content') || document.body;\n    var SKIP = '.msq-audio,.msq,.msq-tool,.msq-end,.msq-bar,script,style,noscript,figcaption,#rank-math-faq,.rank-math-block,nav,header,footer';\n    function norm(s){ return s.toLowerCase().replace(\/[^a-z0-9]+\/g, ''); }\n    var nodes = [], stream = '', walker = document.createTreeWalker(scope, NodeFilter.SHOW_TEXT, null), n;\n    while ((n = walker.nextNode())) {\n      var el = n.parentElement; if (!el || el.closest(SKIP)) { continue; }\n      var raw = n.nodeValue, keep = [], norms = '';\n      for (var i = 0; raw.length > i; i += 1) { var c = raw.charAt(i).toLowerCase(); if (\/[a-z0-9]\/.test(c)) { keep.push(i); norms += c; } }\n      if (!norms) { continue; }\n      nodes.push({ node: n, a: stream.length, b: stream.length + norms.length, keep: keep });\n      stream += norms;\n    }\n    var segs = [], cursor = 0, lastRow = null;\n    map.forEach(function(m, idx){\n      var kind = m[1], f = m[2], len = m[3];\n      if (kind === 't') {\n        var rows = scope.querySelectorAll('tr'), after = !lastRow;\n        for (var r = 0; rows.length > r; r += 1) {\n          var tr = rows[r];\n          if (!after) { if (tr === lastRow) { after = true; } continue; }\n          var cell = tr.querySelector('td,th');\n          if (cell && norm(cell.textContent).indexOf(f) === 0) { tr.setAttribute('data-i', idx); lastRow = tr; break; }\n        }\n        return;\n      }\n      var p = stream.indexOf(f, cursor); if (0 > p) { return; }\n      segs.push({ i: idx, a: p, b: Math.min(p + len, stream.length) }); cursor = p + len;\n    });\n    var si = 0;\n    nodes.forEach(function(nd){\n      var frag = document.createDocumentFragment(), raw = nd.node.nodeValue, rawPos = 0, any = false;\n      for (var k = si; segs.length > k; k += 1) {\n        var sg = segs[k]; if (sg.a >= nd.b) { break; } if (nd.a >= sg.b) { continue; }\n        var s = Math.max(sg.a, nd.a), e = Math.min(sg.b, nd.b);\n        var rs = nd.keep[s - nd.a], re2 = nd.keep[e - nd.a - 1] + 1;\n        if (rs > rawPos) { frag.appendChild(document.createTextNode(raw.slice(rawPos, rs))); }\n        var span = document.createElement('span'); span.className = 'msq-s'; span.setAttribute('data-i', sg.i); span.textContent = raw.slice(rs, re2);\n        frag.appendChild(span); rawPos = re2; any = true;\n        if (sg.b > nd.b) { break; }\n      }\n      while (segs.length > si && nd.b >= segs[si].b) { si += 1; }\n      if (!any) { return; }\n      if (raw.length > rawPos) { frag.appendChild(document.createTextNode(raw.slice(rawPos))); }\n      nd.node.parentNode.replaceChild(frag, nd.node);\n    });\n    var starts = map.map(function(m){ return m[0]; }), curIdx = -1, lastUser = 0, timer = null, autoUntil = 0, dragging = false;\n    function idxAt(t){ var lo = 0, hi = starts.length; while (hi > lo + 1) { var mid = (lo + hi) >> 1; if (t + 0.15 >= starts[mid]) { lo = mid; } else { hi = mid; } } return (t + 0.15 >= starts[0]) ? lo : -1; }\n    function setNow(i){\n      if (i === curIdx) { return; }\n      Array.prototype.forEach.call(scope.querySelectorAll('.msq-now'), function(el){ el.classList.remove('msq-now'); });\n      curIdx = i; if (0 > i) { return; }\n      var els = scope.querySelectorAll('[data-i=\"' + i + '\"]'); if (!els.length) { return; }\n      Array.prototype.forEach.call(els, function(el){ el.classList.add('msq-now'); });\n      var r = els[0].getBoundingClientRect(), now = Date.now();\n      if (!dragging && now > lastUser + 2500 && (80 > r.top || r.bottom > window.innerHeight - 140)) {\n        var reduce = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;\n        autoUntil = now + (reduce ? 400 : 1600);\n        els[0].scrollIntoView({ block: 'center', behavior: reduce ? 'auto' : 'smooth' });\n      }\n    }\n    function tick(){ if (!audio.paused) { setNow(idxAt(audio.currentTime)); } }\n    function userScrolled(){ lastUser = Date.now(); }\n    ['wheel', 'touchmove', 'keydown'].forEach(function(ev){ window.addEventListener(ev, userScrolled, { passive: true }); });\n    window.addEventListener('scroll', function(){ if (Date.now() > autoUntil) { userScrolled(); } }, { passive: true });\n    window.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e){ if (e.clientX >= document.documentElement.clientWidth) { dragging = true; userScrolled(); } }, { passive: true });\n    window.addEventListener('mouseup', function(){ if (dragging) { dragging = false; userScrolled(); } }, { passive: true });\n    audio.addEventListener('play', function(){ if (timer) { clearInterval(timer); } timer = setInterval(tick, 150); tick(); });\n    audio.addEventListener('pause', function(){ if (timer) { clearInterval(timer); timer = null; } });\n    scope.addEventListener('click', function(e){\n      if (e.target.closest('a, button, input, select, textarea, label, summary, .msq, .msq-tool, .msq-end, .msq-audio, .msq-bar')) { return; }\n      var sel = window.getSelection ? String(window.getSelection()) : '';\n      if (sel && sel.trim()) { return; }\n      var el = e.target.closest('[data-i]'); if (!el) { return; }\n      var i = parseInt(el.getAttribute('data-i'), 10); if (isNaN(i)) { return; }\n      if (!audio.paused && i === curIdx) { return; }\n      lastUser = Date.now();\n      audio.currentTime = starts[i];\n      var p = audio.play(); if (p && p.catch) { p.catch(function(){}); }\n      try { if (typeof gtag === 'function') { gtag('event', 'audio_chapter', { article: location.pathname, source: 'sentence', start: Math.round(starts[i]) }); } } catch (err) {}\n    });\n    audio.addEventListener('seeked', tick);\n    audio.addEventListener('ended', function(){ setNow(-1); });\n  }\n  if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', start); } else { start(); }\n})();<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"msq-hook wp-block-paragraph\">On this page: the error of a lab metabolic cart, a handheld device and the free Mifflin St Jeor formula set side by side from their validation studies, the preparation the published protocol asks for, and what university labs charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"msq\" id=\"ms-quiz\" data-slug=\"resting-metabolic-rate-test\" data-category=\"metabolism\" data-list=\"1\">\n<style>.msq,.msq-hook,.msq-box,.msq-end,.msq-tool{--msq-accent:#1F4E79;--msq-accent-text:#FFFFFF;--msq-line:#CBD8E6;--msq-warn:#B4531A;--msq-muted:#4A5560;--msq-tint:#EEF3F8;--msq-base:#FFFFFF}\n.msq{margin:1.25em 0 1.75em}\n.msq-hook{border-left:3px solid var(--msq-accent);padding:6px 14px;color:var(--msq-muted);font-size:.97em}\n.msq-box{background:var(--msq-tint);border:1px solid var(--msq-line);border-radius:12px;padding:0}\n.msq-box>summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none;padding:14px 18px;font-weight:700;color:var(--msq-accent)}\n.msq-box>summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\n.msq-box>summary::before{content:\"+\";display:inline-block;width:1.1em;font-weight:800}\n.msq-box[open]>summary::before{content:\"\\00d7\"}\n.msq-body{padding:2px 18px 18px}\n.msq-intro{margin:0 0 12px;font-size:.95em;color:var(--msq-muted)}\n.msq-list{margin:0;padding:0;list-style:none}\n.msq-q{margin:0 0 18px;padding:0}\n.msq-question{font-weight:700;margin:0 0 8px}\n.msq-options{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px}\n.msq-opt{text-align:left;background:var(--msq-base);border:1px solid var(--msq-line);border-radius:8px;padding:10px 12px;font:inherit;font-size:.95em;color:inherit;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.35}\n.msq-opt:hover{border-color:var(--msq-accent)}\n.msq-opt[disabled]{cursor:default}\n.msq-opt.is-right{border-color:var(--msq-accent);background:var(--msq-line);font-weight:700}\n.msq-opt.is-wrong{border-color:var(--msq-warn);color:var(--msq-warn)}\n.msq-explain{margin:8px 0 0;font-size:.92em;padding:10px 12px;border-left:3px solid var(--msq-accent);background:var(--msq-base);border-radius:0 8px 8px 0}\n.msq-explain[hidden]{display:none}\n.msq-verdict{font-weight:700}\n.msq-result{margin-top:14px;padding:14px 16px;background:var(--msq-base);border:1px solid var(--msq-line);border-radius:10px}\n.msq-result[hidden]{display:none}\n.msq-result h3{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:1.1em}\n.msq-result p{margin:0 0 8px}\n.msq-jump{margin:0 0 8px;padding-left:1.2em}\n.msq-form{margin-top:10px;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;align-items:center}\n.msq-form input[type=email]{flex:1 1 220px;padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid var(--msq-muted);border-radius:8px;font:inherit;background:#fff}\n.msq-btn{background:var(--msq-accent);color:var(--msq-accent-text);border:0;border-radius:8px;padding:11px 18px;font:inherit;font-weight:700;cursor:pointer}\n.msq-btn:hover{filter:brightness(.92)}\n.msq-btn[disabled]{opacity:.7;cursor:default}\n.msq-no{font-size:.9em;color:var(--msq-muted);margin-left:4px}\n.msq-privacy{margin:6px 0 0;font-size:.82em;color:var(--msq-muted);flex-basis:100%}\n.msq-hp{position:absolute;left:-5000px;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden}\n.msq-msg{margin:8px 0 0;font-size:.92em}\n.msq-end{margin:1.5em 0;padding:18px;border:1px solid var(--msq-accent);border-radius:12px;text-align:center;background:var(--msq-tint)}\n.msq-end p{margin:0 0 12px}\n.msq-end .msq-body{text-align:left;padding:16px 0 0}\n.msq-end .msq-start-test[hidden]{display:none}\n.msq-tool{margin:1.5em 0;padding:18px 20px;background:var(--msq-tint);border:1px solid var(--msq-line);border-radius:12px}\n.msq-tool h3{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:1.15em}\n.msq-tool p{margin:0 0 10px}\n.msq-tool .msq-note{font-size:.85em;color:var(--msq-muted);margin:10px 0 0}\n.msq-check label{display:flex;gap:10px;align-items:flex-start;padding:9px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--msq-line);cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4}\n.msq-check label:last-of-type{border-bottom:0}\n.msq-check input{margin-top:5px;flex:0 0 auto;width:18px;height:18px;accent-color:var(--msq-accent)}\n.msq-check-count{font-weight:700;margin:10px 0 0}\n.msq-verdict-box{margin:12px 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:8px;background:var(--msq-base);border-left:3px solid var(--msq-warn)}\n.msq-verdict-box[hidden]{display:none}\n.msq-calc{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:10px 16px}\n.msq-calc label{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:4px;font-size:.92em}\n.msq-calc input,.msq-calc select{padding:8px 10px;border:1px solid var(--msq-muted);border-radius:8px;font:inherit;background:#fff}\n.msq-calc-out{grid-column:1 \/ -1;margin-top:6px;padding:12px 14px;background:var(--msq-base);border-radius:8px;border:1px solid var(--msq-line)}\n.msq-calc-out strong{font-size:1.15em}\n.msq-choose label{display:block;padding:9px 12px;margin:0 0 8px;background:var(--msq-base);border:1px solid var(--msq-line);border-radius:8px;cursor:pointer}\n.msq-choose input{margin-right:8px;accent-color:var(--msq-accent)}\n.msq-choice-result{margin-top:10px;padding:12px 14px;background:var(--msq-base);border-left:3px solid var(--msq-accent);border-radius:0 8px 8px 0}\n.msq-choice-result[hidden]{display:none}\n@media (max-width:600px){.msq-calc{grid-template-columns:1fr}}\nh2.wp-block-heading[id]{scroll-margin-top:24px}<\/style>\n<noscript><style>.msq-explain{display:block !important}<\/style><\/noscript>\n<details class=\"msq-box\">\n<summary>Think you already know this? Five questions, one minute.<\/summary>\n<div class=\"msq-body\">\n<p class=\"msq-intro\">Every answer is on this page. Answer from what you know now; the page fills in the rest.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"msq-list\">\n<li class=\"msq-q\" data-q=\"1\" data-answer=\"b\" data-title=\"What does a resting metabolic rate test actually measure?\" data-section=\"#what-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-actually-measure\">\n<p class=\"msq-question\">1. What does a metabolic cart actually measure during a resting metabolic rate test?<\/p>\n<div class=\"msq-options\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Question 1 options\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"a\">Heart rate and skin temperature<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"b\">Oxygen used and carbon dioxide produced<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"c\">Body fat percentage by electrical signal<\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"msq-explain\" hidden><span class=\"msq-verdict\"><\/span>Indirect calorimetry converts breath gases into calories at rest, as described in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andeal.org\/vault\/2440\/web\/EE_Non-CriticallyIll_JAND20151.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2015 Academy evidence review<\/a>. <a class=\"msq-section\" href=\"#what-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-actually-measure\">Read the section<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"msq-q\" data-q=\"2\" data-answer=\"a\" data-title=\"How should you prepare for an RMR test?\" data-section=\"#how-should-you-prepare-for-an-rmr-test\">\n<p class=\"msq-question\">2. How long a fast did the 2015 evidence review ask for before the test?<\/p>\n<div class=\"msq-options\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Question 2 options\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"a\">At least 7 hours<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"b\">At least 2 hours<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"c\">At least 24 hours<\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"msq-explain\" hidden><span class=\"msq-verdict\"><\/span>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andeal.org\/vault\/2440\/web\/EE_Non-CriticallyIll_JAND20151.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2015 review by Fullmer and colleagues<\/a> concluded people should be fasted for at least 7 hours and rest for 30 minutes before the test. <a class=\"msq-section\" href=\"#how-should-you-prepare-for-an-rmr-test\">Read the section<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"msq-q\" data-q=\"3\" data-answer=\"c\" data-title=\"How accurate is a measured RMR compared with the free formula?\" data-section=\"#how-accurate-is-a-measured-rmr-compared-with-the-free-formul\">\n<p class=\"msq-question\">3. In the 2021 study of 14 men measured on two days, how much did resting results vary on average?<\/p>\n<div class=\"msq-options\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Question 3 options\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"a\">About 1 percent<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"b\">About 15 percent<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"c\">About 4.85 percent<\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"msq-explain\" hidden><span class=\"msq-verdict\"><\/span>The <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8708346\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nutrients study<\/a> reported an inter day coefficient of variation of 4.85 percent for resting metabolic rate. <a class=\"msq-section\" href=\"#how-accurate-is-a-measured-rmr-compared-with-the-free-formul\">Read the section<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"msq-q\" data-q=\"4\" data-answer=\"a\" data-title=\"Are handheld breath devices as good as a lab metabolic cart?\" data-section=\"#are-handheld-breath-devices-as-good-as-a-lab-metabolic-cart\">\n<p class=\"msq-question\">4. In the 2014 study of 88 adults, how did the MedGem handheld compare with the lab cart?<\/p>\n<div class=\"msq-options\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Question 4 options\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"a\">It read about 111 calories a day higher on average<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"b\">It matched the cart exactly<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"c\">It read about 500 calories a day lower<\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"msq-explain\" hidden><span class=\"msq-verdict\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4350191\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anderson and colleagues<\/a> found the handheld overestimated resting energy by 111 calories a day on average. <a class=\"msq-section\" href=\"#are-handheld-breath-devices-as-good-as-a-lab-metabolic-cart\">Read the section<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"msq-q\" data-q=\"5\" data-answer=\"b\" data-title=\"How much does a resting metabolic rate test cost?\" data-section=\"#how-much-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-cost\">\n<p class=\"msq-question\">5. What did the University of Rhode Island lab list as its price for the general public?<\/p>\n<div class=\"msq-options\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Question 5 options\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"a\">$15<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"b\">$80<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-opt\" data-opt=\"c\">$400<\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"msq-explain\" hidden><span class=\"msq-verdict\"><\/span>The <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chhp\/resting-metabolic-rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">URI lab page<\/a> listed $80 for the general public and $40 for university staff and students when read on 9 October 2026. <a class=\"msq-section\" href=\"#how-much-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-cost\">Read the section<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"msq-result\" hidden><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<script>(function(){\n  if (window.__msqInit) { return; }\n  window.__msqInit = true;\n  var root = document.getElementById('ms-quiz');\n  if (!root) { return; }\n  var meta = { slug: root.getAttribute('data-slug'), category: root.getAttribute('data-category'),\n               list: root.getAttribute('data-list') || '1' };\n  function qs(el, s){ return el.querySelector(s); }\n  function qsa(el, s){ return Array.prototype.slice.call(el.querySelectorAll(s)); }\n  function track(name, params){\n    try { if (typeof gtag === 'function') { var p = params || {}; p.article = meta.slug; gtag('event', name, p); } } catch (e) {}\n  }\n  function jumpList(missed){\n    if (!missed.length) { return ''; }\n    return '<ul class=\"msq-jump\">' + missed.map(function(q){\n      return '<li><a href=\"' + q.getAttribute('data-section') + '\">' + q.getAttribute('data-title') + '<\/a><\/li>';\n    }).join('') + '<\/ul>';\n  }\n  function emailForm(){\n    return '<div class=\"msq-sub\"><p><strong>Get the next one.<\/strong> We publish new articles on ' + meta.category\n      + ' most weeks and recheck this page on Sundays. Email me when a new article goes up or this page changes.<\/p>'\n      + '<form class=\"msq-form\" method=\"post\" action=\"\/mail\/form.php\" novalidate>'\n      + '<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"' + meta.list + '\">'\n      + '<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"name\" value=\"\">'\n      + '<label class=\"msq-hp\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Leave this empty<input type=\"text\" name=\"website\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"off\"><\/label>'\n      + '<input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"you@example.com\" required aria-label=\"Email address\" autocomplete=\"email\">'\n      + '<button type=\"submit\" class=\"msq-btn\">Email me the updates<\/button>'\n      + '<a href=\"#\" class=\"msq-no\">No thanks<\/a>'\n      + '<p class=\"msq-privacy\">We store your email and this page\\'s topic, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.<\/p>'\n      + '<\/form><p class=\"msq-msg\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p><\/div>';\n  }\n  \/* The autoresponder always answers 200 with its own page. A \".msg.err\" box means the\n     address was rejected, \"You're subscribed\" means accepted, and a redirect only happens\n     after a successful subscribe. Same reading as the landing pages on the other sites. *\/\n  function sendForm(form){\n    return fetch(form.getAttribute('action'), { method: 'POST', body: new FormData(form), credentials: 'same-origin', redirect: 'manual' })\n      .then(function(res){\n        if (res.type === 'opaqueredirect') { return { status: 'ok' }; }\n        if (res.status === 404) { return { status: 'notlive' }; }\n        if (!res.ok) { throw new Error('HTTP ' + res.status); }\n        return res.text().then(function(t){\n          var doc = new DOMParser().parseFromString(t, 'text\/html');\n          var err = doc.querySelector('.msg.err');\n          if (err) {\n            var m = err.textContent.trim();\n            if (\/something went wrong\/i.test(m)) { throw new Error(m); }\n            return { status: 'rejected', message: m };\n          }\n          if (\/you.re subscribed\/i.test(doc.body.textContent)) { return { status: 'ok' }; }\n          return { status: 'unknown' };\n        });\n      });\n  }\n  function wireForm(sub){\n    var form = qs(sub, '.msq-form'), msg = qs(sub, '.msq-msg');\n    qs(form, '.msq-no').addEventListener('click', function(e){\n      e.preventDefault();\n      sub.innerHTML = '<p class=\"msq-msg\">No problem. The Sunday refresh keeps this page current either way.<\/p>';\n      track('quiz_email', { result: 'declined' });\n    });\n    form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){\n      e.preventDefault();\n      var input = qs(form, 'input[name=email]'), btn = qs(form, '.msq-btn');\n      var email = input.value.trim(); input.value = email;\n      if (!\/^[^\\s@]+@[^\\s@]+\\.[^\\s@]+$\/.test(email)) { msg.textContent = 'That email does not look right.'; return; }\n      btn.disabled = true; btn.textContent = 'Sending';\n      function reset(){ btn.disabled = false; btn.textContent = 'Email me the updates'; }\n      sendForm(form).then(function(r){\n        if (r.status === 'ok' || r.status === 'unknown') {\n          sub.innerHTML = '<p class=\"msq-msg\"><strong>Done.<\/strong> We will email you when the next article on ' + meta.category\n            + ' goes up and when this page changes. If a confirmation email arrives, click it.<\/p>';\n          track('quiz_email', { result: r.status });\n          if (r.status === 'ok') { track('generate_lead', { method: 'quiz' }); }\n        } else if (r.status === 'notlive') {\n          msg.textContent = 'Sign up is not switched on yet for this site. Nothing was stored.'; reset();\n          track('quiz_email', { result: 'notlive' });\n        } else {\n          msg.textContent = r.message || 'Please check the email address and try again.'; reset();\n          track('quiz_email', { result: 'rejected' });\n        }\n      }).catch(function(){\n        msg.textContent = 'Could not reach the sign up service just now. Nothing was stored.'; reset();\n        track('quiz_email', { result: 'error' });\n      });\n    });\n  }\n  function finish(container, mode, score, total, missed){\n    var result = qs(container, '.msq-result');\n    track('quiz_complete', { mode: mode, score: score, total: total });\n    var h;\n    if (mode === 'pre') {\n      h = '<h3>You knew ' + score + ' of ' + total + ' before reading.<\/h3>';\n      h += (score === total) ? '<p>All of them. Read on anyway; the sections below carry the detail behind each answer.<\/p>'\n                             : '<p>The rest is below. Jump straight to what you missed:<\/p>' + jumpList(missed);\n      try { sessionStorage.setItem('msq-pre-' + meta.slug, String(score)); } catch (e) {}\n    } else {\n      var pre = null;\n      try { pre = sessionStorage.getItem('msq-pre-' + meta.slug); } catch (e) {}\n      h = '<h3>You got ' + score + ' of ' + total + '.<\/h3>';\n      if (pre !== null) { h += '<p>Before reading you had ' + pre + ' of ' + total + '.<\/p>'; }\n      if (missed.length) { h += '<p>Worth a second look:<\/p>' + jumpList(missed); }\n      h += emailForm();\n    }\n    result.innerHTML = h; result.hidden = false;\n    if (mode !== 'pre') { wireForm(qs(result, '.msq-sub')); }\n    result.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });\n  }\n  function setup(container, mode){\n    var qEls = qsa(container, '.msq-q'), answered = 0, score = 0, missed = [];\n    qEls.forEach(function(q){\n      var answer = q.getAttribute('data-answer'), opts = qsa(q, '.msq-opt'), explain = qs(q, '.msq-explain');\n      q.removeAttribute('data-done'); explain.hidden = true; qs(explain, '.msq-verdict').textContent = '';\n      opts.forEach(function(b){ b.disabled = false; b.classList.remove('is-right', 'is-wrong'); });\n      opts.forEach(function(b){\n        b.addEventListener('click', function(){\n          if (q.getAttribute('data-done')) { return; }\n          q.setAttribute('data-done', '1');\n          var ok = b.getAttribute('data-opt') === answer;\n          opts.forEach(function(o){ o.disabled = true; if (o.getAttribute('data-opt') === answer) { o.classList.add('is-right'); } });\n          if (ok) { score += 1; } else { b.classList.add('is-wrong'); missed.push(q); }\n          qs(explain, '.msq-verdict').textContent = ok ? 'Right. ' : 'Not quite. ';\n          explain.hidden = false;\n          answered += 1;\n          track('quiz_answer', { mode: mode, question: q.getAttribute('data-q'), correct: ok ? 1 : 0 });\n          if (answered === qEls.length) { finish(container, mode, score, qEls.length, missed); }\n        });\n      });\n    });\n  }\n  var box = qs(root, '.msq-box');\n  setup(root, 'pre');\n  if (box) { var skipFirst = box.hasAttribute('data-default-open'); box.addEventListener('toggle', function(){ if (!box.open) { return; } if (skipFirst) { skipFirst = false; return; } track('quiz_open', { mode: 'pre' }); }); }\n  \/* The end block sits far below this script, so it does not exist yet while this runs\n     during parsing. A delegated listener finds it at click time. *\/\n  document.addEventListener('click', function(e){\n    var startBtn = (e.target && e.target.closest) ? e.target.closest('.msq-start-test') : null;\n    if (!startBtn) { return; }\n    var end = startBtn.closest('.msq-end');\n    if (!end) { return; }\n    var mount = qs(end, '.msq-mount');\n    var clone = qs(root, '.msq-body').cloneNode(true);\n    var intro = qs(clone, '.msq-intro');\n    if (intro) { intro.textContent = 'The same five questions, now that you have read the page.'; }\n    var res = qs(clone, '.msq-result'); if (res) { res.hidden = true; res.innerHTML = ''; }\n    mount.innerHTML = ''; mount.appendChild(clone);\n    setup(mount, 'test');\n    startBtn.hidden = true;\n    track('quiz_open', { mode: 'test' });\n    mount.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'start' });\n    var first = qs(mount, '.msq-opt'); if (first) { first.focus({ preventScroll: true }); }\n  });\n  \/* Shared tool behaviour: checklists remember their ticks on this device, and a chooser\n     shows the result for the option picked. Calculators carry their own small script. *\/\n  function initTools(){\n    qsa(document, '.msq-check').forEach(function(box){\n      var key = 'msq-check-' + meta.slug + '-' + (box.getAttribute('data-id') || 'x');\n      var boxes = qsa(box, 'input[type=checkbox]'), count = qs(box, '.msq-check-count');\n      var yes = qs(box, '.msq-verdict-yes'), no = qs(box, '.msq-verdict-no');\n      var saved = {};\n      try { saved = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(key) || '{}'); } catch (e) {}\n      boxes.forEach(function(cb, i){ if (saved[i]) { cb.checked = true; } });\n      function refresh(){\n        var n = boxes.filter(function(cb){ return cb.checked; }).length, state = {};\n        boxes.forEach(function(cb, i){ if (cb.checked) { state[i] = 1; } });\n        try { localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify(state)); } catch (e) {}\n        if (count) { count.textContent = n + ' of ' + boxes.length + (box.getAttribute('data-verb') || ' done'); }\n        if (yes && no) { yes.hidden = n === 0; no.hidden = n !== 0; }\n      }\n      boxes.forEach(function(cb){ cb.addEventListener('change', function(){ refresh(); track('tool_check', { tool: box.getAttribute('data-id') }); }); });\n      refresh();\n    });\n    qsa(document, '.msq-choose').forEach(function(box){\n      var results = qsa(box, '.msq-choice-result');\n      qsa(box, 'input[type=radio]').forEach(function(r){\n        r.addEventListener('change', function(){\n          results.forEach(function(el){ el.hidden = el.getAttribute('data-for') !== r.value; });\n          track('tool_choose', { tool: box.getAttribute('data-id'), choice: r.value });\n        });\n      });\n    });\n  }\n  \/\/ read progress: how far down the article the reader has scrolled, fired once per quarter\n  (function(){\n    var art = root.closest('article') || root.parentNode, fired = {};\n    function check(){\n      var top = art.getBoundingClientRect().top + window.pageYOffset, h = art.offsetHeight || 1;\n      var seen = (window.pageYOffset + window.innerHeight - top) \/ h * 100;\n      [25, 50, 75, 100].forEach(function(m){ if (seen >= m && !fired[m]) { fired[m] = true; track('read_progress', { percent: m }); } });\n    }\n    window.addEventListener('scroll', check, { passive: true }); window.addEventListener('load', check);\n  })();\n  if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', initTools); } else { initTools(); }\n})();<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most pages ranking for this are booking pages, written by the lab or the clinic selling the test, so they describe the mask and the price and stop there. The question a reader actually has is simpler: will a paid test tell me something the free calculator cannot? The answer depends on two numbers nobody puts side by side, how far the formula misses and how far the test itself wobbles. Both are below, with their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-actually-measure\">What does a resting metabolic rate test actually measure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A resting metabolic rate test uses indirect calorimetry. You lie or sit still with a mask, mouthpiece or clear hood over your face, and a machine called a metabolic cart measures how much oxygen you use and how much carbon dioxide you make. Burning fuel uses oxygen in a known ratio, so the cart converts the gas figures into calories a day. It is the only fitness test you pass by doing nothing and fail by fidgeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What comes out is your resting figure only: the energy your body spends keeping the lights on while you lie quietly awake. It is not the calories you burn in a day. Movement and digestion sit on top of it, which the <a href=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/bmr-calculator\/\">BMR calculator guide<\/a> breaks down share by share. A test result is also not a metabolic age, whatever the printout calls it; <a href=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/metabolic-age-vs-real-age-why-it-matters-for-weight-loss\/\">what a metabolic age score measures<\/a> is a separate story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-should-you-prepare-for-an-rmr-test\">How should you prepare for an RMR test?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preparation decides whether the number means anything, because almost everything you do raises resting energy for a while afterwards. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reviewed the evidence twice. Its 2015 update, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andeal.org\/vault\/2440\/web\/EE_Non-CriticallyIll_JAND20151.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fullmer and colleagues in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics<\/a>, concluded that people &#8220;should be fasted for at least 7 hours and rest for 30 minutes&#8221; in a quiet, dimly lit room at a comfortable temperature before the test, without reading, music or fidgeting. It found that the effects of caffeine last longer than 240 minutes and nicotine longer than 140 minutes, and that the test can be done at any time of day if those conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two honest caveats sit inside that review. It found no studies at all on how long to wait after moderate or hard exercise, and only 5 of its 21 conclusions earned the two strongest evidence grades. It also disagrees with the earlier version: the <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16720129\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2006 systematic review<\/a> said 10 to 20 minutes of rest was enough, where the update asks for 30. So labs fill the gaps with caution. The <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chhp\/resting-metabolic-rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Rhode Island lab<\/a> asks for a 12 hour fast and no exercise for 12 hours, stricter than the review, which is the lab playing safe rather than contradicting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Temperature matters more than people expect. One study in that review found resting energy measured 6 to 9 percent higher after a winter night in a 20 degree room than in a 25 degree one. The pre test checklist further down this page lists every condition, so you can tick them off the night before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/preparing-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test.jpg\" alt=\"Woman holding a glass of water at a kitchen table the morning before a resting metabolic rate test\" class=\"wp-image-2442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/preparing-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/preparing-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/preparing-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/preparing-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-image__caption\">The 2015 review asks for a fast of at least 7 hours; many labs ask for longer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"msq-tool msq-check\" data-id=\"rmr-prep\" data-verb=\" ready\">\n<h3>Pre test checklist, from the published protocol<\/h3>\n<p>The conditions the 2015 evidence review and lab instructions ask for. Your lab&#8217;s own instructions come first where they are stricter.<\/p>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">No food for at least 7 hours, or longer if your lab asks (URI asks for 12)<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">No coffee, tea or other caffeine for well over 4 hours<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">No nicotine for well over 2 hours<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">No hard exercise beforehand; the review found no evidence on how long, so follow the lab<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">Travel to the test calmly, without walking briskly or cycling there<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">Rest lying down for about 30 minutes before the measurement starts<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">Room quiet, dim and comfortably warm, not cold<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">No reading, phone, music or fidgeting while resting and during the test<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">Ask whether it is a full metabolic cart or a handheld device<\/label>\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\">Ask how long the measurement runs and how much is discarded<\/label>\n<p class=\"msq-check-count\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"msq-note\">Ticks are saved on this device only. This list scores nothing and predicts nothing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-accurate-is-a-measured-rmr-compared-with-the-free-formul\">How accurate is a measured RMR compared with the free formula?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the comparison the booking pages leave out. A formula like Mifflin St Jeor is an estimate built from the average person. A <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15883556\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2005 systematic review by Frankenfield and colleagues<\/a> found it landed within 10 percent of the measured figure for more people than any other common equation, and also had the narrowest error range. The share is commonly quoted at about 82 percent of adults without obesity; the review&#8217;s abstract does not print it, so treat it as approximate. In a 2025 study of young women covered in the <a href=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/bmr-calculator\/\">BMR calculator guide<\/a>, the hit rate was 60 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good lab test is not perfect either. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8708346\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2021 study in Nutrients<\/a>, 14 healthy men were measured on two separate days with the same cart, and their results varied by 4.85 percent on average. So a well run test usually lands within about 5 percent of itself, and the formula usually lands within about 10 percent of the test. For most people that is the whole gap a paid test can close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Method<\/th><th>What the study found<\/th><th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Mifflin St Jeor formula, free online<\/td><td>Estimate from age, height, weight and sex. Within 10 percent of the measured figure for more people than any other equation tested; misses beyond that are commonly quoted as reaching about 18 percent low<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15883556\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Frankenfield and colleagues, 2005<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lab metabolic cart, same person on two days<\/td><td>Day to day variation averaged 4.85 percent in 14 healthy men<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8708346\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robles Gonzalez and colleagues, 2021<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Handheld device (MedGem) against a lab cart<\/td><td>Read 111 calories a day higher on average in 88 adults; repeat reliability 0.70 against 0.84 for the cart<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4350191\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anderson and colleagues, 2014<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Same handheld device in adolescents with overweight<\/td><td>Read 127 calories a day lower on average; individual results ranged from 203 above to 457 below<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1038\/pr.2016.182\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Woo and colleagues, 2016<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-block-table__caption\">Compiled on 9 October 2026 from the studies linked in each row. The 18 percent figure is widely repeated from the 2005 review but could not be checked against its full text.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put in calories for someone who measures 1,600 a day: the cart&#8217;s day to day wobble is about 78 calories, the formula&#8217;s 10 percent band is 160, and the largest misses commonly quoted for the formula run to about 288. The chart beside this section draws those figures. Even the data processing moves the answer: <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7071290\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one study comparing ways of selecting the breath data<\/a> found that different selection methods produced significantly different resting figures from the same recordings, so ask the lab which method it uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-chart.png\" alt=\"Bar chart comparing resting metabolic rate test variation with handheld and formula error in calories\" class=\"wp-image-2447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-chart.png 1600w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-chart-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-chart-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-chart-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/resting-metabolic-rate-test-chart-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-image__caption\">Each bar applies a published error figure to a measured 1,600 calories a day: the lab cart&#8217;s 4.85 percent day to day variation, the handheld&#8217;s 111 calorie average over read, the formula&#8217;s 10 percent band, and the 18 percent miss commonly quoted for it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"are-handheld-breath-devices-as-good-as-a-lab-metabolic-cart\">Are handheld breath devices as good as a lab metabolic cart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cheaper route is a handheld device you breathe into for a few minutes, offered by some gyms and clinics. These measure oxygen and assume a fixed ratio for carbon dioxide rather than measuring both. In <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4350191\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anderson and colleagues&#8217; 2014 study<\/a> of 88 adults with overweight, the MedGem handheld read 111 calories a day higher than the lab cart on average. When 10 of them repeated the test three times, the handheld&#8217;s reliability score was 0.70 against 0.84 for the cart, which the authors called moderate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The errors do not even go the same way in every group. In <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1038\/pr.2016.182\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a 2016 study of 39 adolescents with overweight<\/a>, the same device read 127 calories a day lower than the cart, and individual results ranged from 203 above to 457 below. A device that can miss by 457 calories in one person is not obviously better than a free equation that costs nothing and takes a minute. Body composition scales that print a resting figure do not measure breath at all; they run your estimated lean mass through a formula, which makes them another estimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/equipment-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test.jpg\" alt=\"Breathing mask and tube on a steel tray, the equipment used for a resting metabolic rate test\" class=\"wp-image-2443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/equipment-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/equipment-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/equipment-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/equipment-for-resting-metabolic-rate-test-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-image__caption\">Whether the device is a full lab cart or a handheld is the first question to ask before paying.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-much-does-a-resting-metabolic-rate-test-cost\">How much does a resting metabolic rate test cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">University exercise labs are the cheapest place to find a cart run by trained staff, and several publish their prices. Private clinics and fitness studios also offer the test, often bundled with a body scan, and charge more; no single typical price could be confirmed for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Lab<\/th><th>Listed price<\/th><th>Preparation asked for<\/th><th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>University of Rhode Island<\/td><td>$80 general public, $40 university staff and students<\/td><td>12 hour fast, no exercise for 12 hours<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chhp\/resting-metabolic-rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">URI lab page<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>East Carolina University<\/td><td>$35 with an operator, 30 minute protocol<\/td><td>Not stated in the price list<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/hhp.ecu.edu\/wp-content\/pv-uploads\/sites\/292\/Addendum-HPL-Translational-Research-Core-July-1-2024-price_current-services-only.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ECU price list, July 2024<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-block-table__caption\">Prices as published by each lab, read 9 October 2026. Check with the lab before booking; university prices change each academic year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before paying anywhere, three questions are worth asking: is it a metabolic cart or a handheld, how long is the measurement and how much of it is discarded, and what preparation do they ask for. A provider that cannot answer the first is selling a printout, not a measurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-gets-something-useful-from-a-measured-number\">Who gets something useful from a measured number?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formulas are built on averages, so they miss most for people who are far from the average. The 2005 review noted that older adults and ethnic minorities living in the US were underrepresented in both building and checking the equations. A <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10687135\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2023 meta-analysis of athletes<\/a> found Mifflin St Jeor and several other common equations significantly over or underestimated resting energy in that group. Someone very muscular, someone much older or much larger than average, or someone whose careful food logs keep disagreeing with the calculator has the best chance of learning something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some medical conditions and medicines change resting energy use, and that is a conversation for a doctor or registered dietitian, who can order a clinical test and read it alongside everything else. A gym printout is not a diagnosis, and a low number on one is not a reason to change a medicine or eat much less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-can-a-measured-rmr-not-tell-you\">What can a measured RMR not tell you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It cannot tell you what you burn on a Tuesday, because movement varies by hundreds of calories a day between people and between days. It cannot tell you whether your metabolism is &#8220;broken&#8221;, a phrase that sells a lot of capsules and is not a clinical diagnosis. And it cannot be raised much by anything sold to raise it: <a href=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/how-to-increase-bmr\/\">the honest size of the effect<\/a> of muscle, protein and the rest is tens of calories, which <a href=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/does-muscle-mass-increase-metabolism\/\">trials of muscle and metabolism<\/a> confirm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where a measured figure helps is as a better starting point than the formula, nothing more. Anyone who then builds a calorie plan on it is still estimating everything above rest, the same way <a href=\"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/calorie-deficit-calculators-explained\/\">every calorie deficit calculator<\/a> does. If the free estimate and your own steady records already agree, a paid resting metabolic rate test is likely to confirm what you know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-q-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is an RMR test the same as a BMR test?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Not quite. Basal rate is measured under stricter conditions, usually straight after waking in a lab, while resting rate allows a short rest after arriving. Resting figures run slightly higher, and most commercial tests measure resting rate.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-q-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How long does a resting metabolic rate test take?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Most take 10 to 30 minutes of breathing into the mask or hood, plus the rest period before it. The 2006 review recommended discarding the first 5 minutes of a 10 minute measurement.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-q-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I drink water before an RMR test?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Ask the lab: the published reviews deal with food, caffeine and nicotine rather than water. Coffee, tea and energy drinks are a different matter, because the effect of caffeine lasts longer than four hours.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-q-4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Does a resting metabolic rate test hurt?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. There are no needles and no exercise. You breathe normally through a mask, mouthpiece or clear hood while lying or sitting still, and the main challenge is keeping still.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-q-5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Should the test be repeated after weight change?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Resting energy tracks body size, so a figure measured at one weight goes out of date as weight changes. Whether a repeat is worth paying for depends on how the first number is being used.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-q-6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Why did my test differ from my smart scale?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A smart scale or body composition scale does not measure breath. It estimates lean mass from an electrical signal and runs that through an equation, so it is another estimate, not a second measurement.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"msq-end\" id=\"ms-quiz-end\">\n<p><strong>Finished the page?<\/strong> The same five questions from the top, to see what stuck.<\/p>\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"msq-btn msq-start-test\">Test Your Understanding of This Article<\/button>\n<div class=\"msq-mount\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This article is general information, not medical advice, and is not a substitute for care from a qualified healthcare professional. Speak to your doctor about your own situation.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What a resting metabolic rate test measures, how to prepare by the published protocol, what labs charge, and how its error compares with the free formula and handheld devices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"Resting Metabolic Rate Test: Cost, Prep and Real Accuracy","rank_math_description":"A resting metabolic rate test measures breath gases at rest. Lab carts repeat within about 5 percent; the free formula and handhelds can miss by more.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"resting metabolic rate test","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_breadcrumb_title":"","rank_math_facebook_title":"","rank_math_facebook_description":"","rank_math_facebook_image":"","rank_math_twitter_title":"","rank_math_twitter_description":"","rank_math_twitter_image":"","rank_math_pillar_content":"","rank_math_robots":[],"rank_math_advanced_robots":[]},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-metabolism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2444"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2451,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2444\/revisions\/2451"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metaboliboost.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}