How to calculate calories for personal training at the gym

ellskiNZ

Hi there,

I have weekly sessions with a personal trainer at my gym, and I'm not sure how to calculate the calories burned. I do squats, bench presses, a bit of boxing, and do other weight exercises too. How on earth can I calculate the calories burned? I sweat like crazy and my heart rate is definitely elevated.

I don't usually try and calculate the calories burned from my regular gym sessions, because I don't feel like I need to eat the calories back, but after a PT session I'm usually STARVING.

Thanks.

Bamacraft

a healthy post workout meal is a must IMO. if you need to get very close to caloric burn wear a HR monitor for a few sessions and that will get you very close. It really needs to be based on your goals....lose wt, maintain or gain.

Ottawa_Randy

I use Circuit (in Exercise selections) and I usually post a little less than my actual time since I pause between sets or get a drink.
It posts the cals based on a general Resistance Circuit related to your body weight.

DavPul

ask your personal trainer

Rerun201

Try a heart rate monitor that calculates the calories burned.

PikaKnight

Try a heart rate monitor that calculates the calories burned.

Not for weight training

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1044313-this-is-why-hrms-have-limited-use-for-tracking-calories
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

PikaKnight

My suggestion would be to do the TDEE method (which includes exercise calories) and not worry about it. Adjust numbers as needed in 4-6 weeks.

Otherwise, log it under strength training in MFP. Do it for 4-6 weeks and then decide for yourself if the burns are too high and adjust a that point (i.e. whether you need to take 50-100cals off the given #, etc).

Hezzietiger1

# 1.. wear a heart rate monitor to track your calories (there are hrm's specifically for weight training, well sell them at Lifetime)
#2.. you don't need to eat your calories back
#2.. if you are hungry, eat.

I'm sure your trainer has you doing some muscle work.. keep your protein in check. It wouldn't hurt at all to have protein after your workout.

StrawberriB

I have been training with a trainer as well and just asked him your very question. I got a heart rate monitor and used it for the first time today during my personal training session. I entered the calories it told me I burned under cardio- circuit training general. Hope this helps!

ellskiNZ

My suggestion would be to do the TDEE method (which includes exercise calories) and not worry about it. Adjust numbers as needed in 4-6 weeks.

Otherwise, log it under strength training in MFP. Do it for 4-6 weeks and then decide for yourself if the burns are too high and adjust a that point (i.e. whether you need to take 50-100cals off the given #, etc).

The strength training section doesn't give me calories burned, it just is a record of what I've done which isn't really useful in this situation. I think I might just make sure I have a healthy meal after working out and if it means I go over the calories alotted to me by MFP that's not the end of the world

Mr_Knight

How long is your training session?

How far could you run in that same length of time?

traceyjj

My trainer advised me to book it on our gym site as bodypump as we are doing a mix of lifting and cardio.