Stupid question but maybe someone can help....

KValmera71

I joined the YMCA last week and my trainer for orientation showed me how to use the Matrix machines and said he would highly recommend me using those 3x a week. So on Monday, Wednesday and Friday I went and used the machines. I have logged it as circuit training as that is what he called it, but it seems more like strength training. Or are these the same? I don't want to over calculate. Also, when logging, do I count JUST the time I am actually using the machines (like 1-2 minutes per machine) or the whole time I am working through a circuit (30-45 minutes). He started me out doing 10 reps and 2 sets on each machine. I believe there are 15 machines. I hope I don't sound entirely stupid but I am sure I do. Any advice, suggestions or info on how to log this activity or advice on how to best utilize them would be GREATLY appreciated.

And if it matters, I am female, 42, 5'7 and 319lbs (down from a start weight of 345lbs)

Thanks!

sweetcurlz67

First... Congratulations on getting started on weights & strength training!!!

You can log them either way: strength or circuit training. Doesn't matter. As for the time... record the entire time you're there: 30-45 minutes. Are you using a heart rate monitor? That's the more accurate way to measure your calories burned. MFP's totals are WAY overstated.

Good luck!

girlwithcurls2

No idea, but I'm so impressed with your hard work and commitment, I had to let you know

annangelich

Congratulations, your hard work and commitment will go so far. As for logging you can do it either way. Play around with the MFP calculations log them one way and then the other to see the difference and set it for what you think is the closest you have come to. I would recommend a heart rate monitor as well, to be more accurate. If you are logging for circuit I would log the entire time, if you are logging as strength training I would add the reps.
Good luck on the remainder of your journey and commitment.

QueenBishOTUniverse

To clarify, while a heart rate monitor is most accurate for steady state cardio, it's actually pretty much worthless for strength training. As others have said, you can log as strength or circuit, but if you are concerned the numbers might be off, I would start by only eating back about half the calories you get from the exercise. Strength training isn't really about calorie burn anyways, it's more to help maintain the muscle mass so that most of what you DO lose through calorie burn is actually fat.

Also, I'm not hating on the machines, they have their place and especially if you've never lifted anything in your life, you may need to start with them just to build SOME strength, but I would start looking in to a free weight program if you really want to get the the most out of your strength routine. If you're working out at the Y it may be hit or miss if they have a free weight section, but look in to stronglifts 5x5, starting strength, or new rules of lifting for some ideas about what a free weight exercise routine would look like.

KValmera71

Thanks for all of the replies!! I do have a HRM, I bought one a few weeks ago and have been using it for my cardio as I have also read that wearing a HRM is useless in strength training. I usually do not eat much of my calories back anyway. That's one area I also struggle with. Mentally, I cannot wrap my head around eating back what I worked so hard to burn off. I just make sure I do not go below 1200-1300 net per day and try to get as close to the number MFP allots me as I can. I also usually only log 1/2 of the workout time but I have been logging the full time of strength training and usually come up with about 500 calories burned per 30 minutes. At my weight of 319, does that seem right?