Increased BMR when gaining strength

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I'm currently in a calorie defecit and doing hiit workouts with a mixture of body weight exercises, pylometrics and smaller weights. I do this 3-4 days a week and can tell I'm getting stronger.

I know I'm probably not building muscle, just looking leaner and more toned - does this increase in strength increase my BMR or is it just an increase in muscle mass that would do this?

Thanks for any help!

sijomial

No increasing strength won't increase BMR.
Mostly at first that's just your nervous system adapting.

Yes adding muscle will increase your BMR but the effect is miniscule - off top of my head about 6 or 7 cals per pound of muscle per day.
Which is offset by losing fat which take about 2 cals per pound per day.

So really insignificant compared to just being a bit more active or adding a little bit of exercise.

Being stronger may allow you to lift heavier weights of course but that's still a tiny difference in terms of calories.

Don't sweat the small stuff!