Strength Excercise

SethRu

Why aren't there any loss of calories associated with most strength exercises? While I only run a mile and a half for 15 minutes, a good 45 minutes of my workout include strength exercises, so I'm trying to better calculate my calorie deficit.

DancingMoosie

There is, you just have to log it under the cardio tab.

SethRu

I bench press and what not, I can't find those options under cardio. Running and walking yes, anything requiring weights and machines, no.

DancingMoosie

You just log "strength training" under cardio. You can list the exact exercises, reps and weight in the strength section, but it won't give you calories burned.

SethRu

I found that. I get that they try to calculate the calorie burn on strength training, but my workout is rather vigorous. How do they come up with a number without knowing the intensity and type of workout?

DancingMoosie

They don't. If it's more intense, I guess you could log it as calisthenics or circuit training. There just isn't a really good way to estimate calorie burns lifting.

AnnPT77

SethRu wrote: »

I found that. I get that they try to calculate the calorie burn on strength training, but my workout is rather vigorous. How do they come up with a number without knowing the intensity and type of workout?

How do they come up with a number for calisthenics, aerobics, or any other such thing without knowing the intensity and type of workout?

Even with a supposed "intensity", some of the database entries are absurd. "Canoeing, rowing, >6 mph, vigorous effort"? Anyone who both canoes and rows knows that the effort associated with 6mph is wildly different between these two. "Bicycling, 12-14 mph, moderate (cycling, biking, bike riding)"? I'll guarantee 12mph on a smooth road on a road bike is a different effort from 12mph on hilly, unpaved terrain on a mountain bike.

The variation in strength training workouts is unlikely to vary any more than these, IMO.

These are all approximations; use them judiciously. If you want to be as accurate as possible, consult multiple sources (especially specialized calculators that utilize additional sport-specific variables).

If you do the same activities frequently, and use the MFP database entries to estimate, and lose at the expected rate, all is golden. If you lose more slowly than targeted, eat less; if you lose more rapidly, eat more. It'll work out OK in the end.

I may seem a little harsh here; I'm sorry. This stuff is all hard to estimate. The database really can only achieve guidance, not precision.

JeffreyBurkhalter

I found a website that helps you calculate your burn based on what you're doing, then created an exercise under cardio called "general workout" that I use. It works as long as your general workout typically consists of the same type things. I just change the duration based I how long I spend working out. One caveat, I have a gym at work and it's usually empty. I can accomplish quite a bit in a short period of time because there is zero down time walking from one thing to another, so my duration only fluctuates according to how much I do.

socioseguro

Hi @SethRu :
I lift weights. I found out that it is very difficult to measure accurate calorie burned while lifting weights, regardless of the intensity and weight involved.
According to Fitbit, it measures 60-80 calories burned in 1 hour of lifting weights; for me. I just log 1 calorie and call it a day. It is so small, it will not make a difference.
I exercise for fitness and health
Eating at a deficit is for losing weight
Good luck in your healthy journey

jalynwatson21

I find it not to really matter if your diet is in check. Although exercise helps with reshaping your body, such as weightlifting, most results come from the diet. It is better to underestimate the calories burned, depending whether or not you eat them back.

xvolution

SethRu wrote: »

I found that. I get that they try to calculate the calorie burn on strength training, but my workout is rather vigorous. How do they come up with a number without knowing the intensity and type of workout?

This is exactly why they don't automatically list calories burned with exercises under the strength training session. There are too many variables for it to be 100% accurate. The default "strength training" entry under Cardio is probably fairly close though.