Weight lifting machines = no cals burned?

lmm87

hi guys,

I'm new here and transitioning from Weight Watchers to myfitnesspal. I was finding that I needed a more strict diet to get the results that I am aiming for.

My question is, when I put in strength training (such as the lat machine and ab twist machine) why doesn't that count towards my daily total of calories being burned?? On WW those exercises counted towards "activity points" why does it seem to have no merit here?

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot, don't yell at me. This is my first post, ever.

NoLimitFemme

Not sure why it's set up like that, it may be more of a tracker type thing for your records but under the cardio there is a weight lifting option. I just use that, generally I do weight training for about 45 minutes and then do cardio. You won't burn as many calories lifting weight as you may have thought though so don't get discouraged.

Chickee8586

Also, for a more accurate count of calories burned you could get a heart rate monitor.

MFP doesn't assign calories to strength training becasue there are too many variables for it to compute accurately.

Holly_Roman_Empire

You can enter it in as cardio and you'll get a general calorie burn for strength training

BUT

Strength training is not for burning calories. It is for increasing strength and retaining/building muscle. If you want to increase your calorie deficit, then you need to do cardio. I personally do not log my strength training here.

DWBalboa

Yes you need to add it under cardio. There is a complete list of exercises; you just sometimes have to play around with the way you search the data base to find what you’re looking for. You can also add exercises of your own.
I’m still sort of new (January) but I learn fast. If you want you can add me and I will be more than happy to help you where and when I can.
Good luck.
V/r,
DW

ironrat79

I kind of wondered that when I first started because I workout with no partner and my pace is somewhat fast, 45 second rest or so. I'd say it's a pretty difficult thing to gauge anyways, so that's probably a thought...well at least my theory and I'm sticking to it

Lleldiranne

You can log it in "strength training" under cardio and it will give you calorie values. Just be aware that, like most entries, there is a possibility that it will overestimate - the system has no way of knowing how much you're putting into it. Be careful with HRMs, too, they're generally designed for cardio rather than weights, but that may vary by HRM.

lmm87

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

Hornsby

Also, for a more accurate count of calories burned you could get a heart rate monitor.

MFP doesn't assign calories to strength training becasue there are too many variables for it to compute accurately.

HRMs are for steady state cardio. They do not track strength training accurately.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Also, for a more accurate count of calories burned you could get a heart rate monitor.

MFP doesn't assign calories to strength training becasue there are too many variables for it to compute accurately.

Actually, a heart rate monitor isn't going to be accurate either. HRMs are designed for steady state cardio like running or cycling. The algorithms for computing calories do not translate to strength training.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

I'd say it's a myth just on the fact that it depends on what kind of cardio you're doing and what your weightlifting regimen is like.

wilsoje74

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

It doesn't burn very many cals but is helpful to your body. I don't log it

RBrooksC

I don't have it here but I did find a forum that gave a formula for calculating calories burned from lifting. Right now, with the calculation, about 45 min of circuit weights will burn for me about 166 calories. The calorie count is a drop in the bucket compared to my cardio workout but I like to count it since I am working my body during that time.

JoRocka

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

It doesn't burn very many cals but is helpful to your body. I don't log it

I burn upwards of 500+ when I train- not sure what you are talking about.

DavidSTC

There is some research that shows that weight training subjects increased their average daily metabolic rate. One study showed an increase in metabolic rate of 9.5% in 18 weeks. http://jap.physiology.org/content/82/1/298.full#sec-12

One theory is that when you strength train, your body burns calories three times: 1) during your workout, 2) while repairing your muscles after your workout, and 3) while building new muscle.

I think what you're doing, cardio and strength training together, are great. I personally don't use the estimates on calories burned during exercise. I just figured the amount of calories per day that I can eat and still lose weight, and make sure to stay as active as possible.

links_slayer

don't lift - you'll get all bulky and stuff

JoRocka

don't lift - you'll get all bulky and stuff

must be doing something wrong.

lifting... still not bulky and stuff

<sadpandaface>

butlersoft

It's all answered here ....


http://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/11170-why-don-t-you-calculate-calories-burned-for-strength-training-

mschicagocubs

You can enter it in as cardio and you'll get a general calorie burn for strength training

BUT

Strength training is not for burning calories. It is for increasing strength and retaining/building muscle. If you want to increase your calorie deficit, then you need to do cardio. I personally do not log my strength training here.

THIS!

I log my weight lifting for the minutes aspect. I just log "1 calorie burned" I want to make sure I hit my weekly minutes goal.

Keep a diary of how much you lift, how many reps, etc to have a better idea of how you are progressing!

legallyblonde916

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

The act of weight lifting itself doesn't really burn more calories than strictly cardio itself, but having more muscle (the result of weight lifting) will cause you to have a higher resting metabolic rate (burn more calories at rest), and thus will burn more calories in the long run.

Galatea_Stone

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

It doesn't burn very many cals but is helpful to your body. I don't log it

I burn upwards of 500+ when I train- not sure what you are talking about.

I burn a ton of calories weightlifting, too.

The values for weight training in MFP are WAY underestimated. I have to double the values MFP gives me to be closer to accurate.

athensguy

Also, for a more accurate count of calories burned you could get a heart rate monitor.

MFP doesn't assign calories to strength training becasue there are too many variables for it to compute accurately.

Heart rate monitors generally only give useful estimates during aerobic exercise.

mschicagocubs

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

It doesn't burn very many cals but is helpful to your body. I don't log it

I burn upwards of 500+ when I train- not sure what you are talking about.

I burn a ton of calories weightlifting, too.

The values for weight training in MFP are WAY underestimated. I have to double the values MFP gives me to be closer to accurate.

I don't monitor my calories burned weight lifting, but I am just as sweaty during as I am when I do my 15 minute cardio warm up.

So I have to be burning something ....

JSClausen

I agree. I wear a heart monitor while I circuit train, which combines some calisthenics: planks, lunges, step ups, in-outs, etc, with weight training: bench press, free weights for arms, rowing, etc. My heart rate averages around 145-150 for the duration of my workout, approx. 45 minutes, and I burn around 400 calories. So yes, you can definitely burn through calories with weight/strength training; the key is keeping your heart rate up. I have organized my routine so that when I finish one exercise, I move on to a completely different muscle group. This way, the previous muscle group gets a "rest" but I'm still moving and burning calories. For example: I will do a set of 10 step-ups on each leg with a 10lbs weight in each hand. Then I go directly into in-outs or v-sits. Then I do it again, then move onto a different set of muscles.

links_slayer

don't lift - you'll get all bulky and stuff

must be doing something wrong.

lifting... still not bulky and stuff

<sadpandaface>

should prolly start using protein powder obvi....that'll make you huuuuuuge

JoRocka

Thanks all!

I do about 35 min on treadmill/stairmaster and then move to weight training machines for about 20 min. So is it a myth then that weight lifting burns more calories than cardio??????? If so, then WOOPS.

It doesn't burn very many cals but is helpful to your body. I don't log it

I burn upwards of 500+ when I train- not sure what you are talking about.

I burn a ton of calories weightlifting, too.

The values for weight training in MFP are WAY underestimated. I have to double the values MFP gives me to be closer to accurate.

I use calisthenics and enter a percentage of the time- so sometimes it's 75 min of lifting- but I admit to too much chatting or long stretching or whatever- I'll enter 50 minutes or whatever I think is appropriate. Waldo suggested it and it's been working very well for me for a year or so.

should prolly start using protein powder obvi....that'll make you huuuuuuge

pre-workout?
I thought that was better!

Kobclarke

If you want to count the calories burned with strength training exercises you need to add it under cardio. Go to add cardio and do your search, for example "Crunches." It will give you a message saying "no results found." To the bottom right of the message it gives you an option to "Add an Exercise to the Database." Click it. Then it gives you the option to name your exercise and enter the calories burned. Name it something particular to you, for example Crunches-Imm87 (1) so you can find it and (2) so it accounts for the calories burned for your body weight and weights used because these type of exercises are weight dependent. If you need help figuring out the calories burned go to www.fitclick.com. It calculates everything for you, for example a 150 person doing crunches for 5 minutes will burn 17 calories. Also, after you created and added them if you do a whole set of exercises at a time you can find it and add it easier by using the "Quick Tools." You select all your exercises and name it together as a group, for example you can name it "My Ab Routine." Then the next time you want to add all of the exercises you do in this routine you just need to go to Quick Tools and add your personalized routine. Hope that helps.

Morgaath

You can enter it in as cardio and you'll get a general calorie burn for strength training

BUT

Strength training is not for burning calories. It is for increasing strength and retaining/building muscle. If you want to increase your calorie deficit, then you need to do cardio. I personally do not log my strength training here.

Trying to understand this.
By your logic, I should not count walking, I should only count running, because running burns a higher numbers of calories, totally ignoring the calories burnt walking.
This is like suggesting that I shouldn't bother planning for fuel burnt while I am driving at 5mph going off roading in the woods, I should only count the fuel I burn flying down the highway to get to the woods.
It is totally ignoring that athletes normally do some pre & post calorie intake with every work out, because they know that the body will be drawing in calories during and after the workout.
So, please, can you explain the logic of this "Only some calories burned count as calories burned" concept?

TFaustino67

don't lift - you'll get all bulky and stuff

..funny, I thought that's what cupcakes and chocolates do...

Holly_Roman_Empire

You can enter it in as cardio and you'll get a general calorie burn for strength training

BUT

Strength training is not for burning calories. It is for increasing strength and retaining/building muscle. If you want to increase your calorie deficit, then you need to do cardio. I personally do not log my strength training here.

Trying to understand this.
By your logic, I should not count walking, I should only count running, because running burns a higher numbers of calories, totally ignoring the calories burnt walking.
This is like suggesting that I shouldn't bother planning for fuel burnt while I am driving at 5mph going off roading in the woods, I should only count the fuel I burn flying down the highway to get to the woods.
It is totally ignoring that athletes normally do some pre & post calorie intake with every work out, because they know that the body will be drawing in calories during and after the workout.
So, please, can you explain the logic of this "Only some calories burned count as calories burned" concept?

Whether I decide to log strength training calories or not is my prerogative. As it is, I am not at athlete and do not do hours upon hours of strength training. If I were, I would probably just follow the TDEE method and still not log calories burned from strength training.

Your example of walking versus running does not apply to this scenario because both of those exercises are cardio and are easily comparable. It has already been demonstrated in this thread that what weightlifting burns calorie-wise depends largely on the person and the workout.

Strength training is not for burning calories. It's my opinion, but it's one that many others hold. If you want to strength train to increase your calorie deficit, I suggest following the TDEE method and playing with your calorie intake until you find a sweet spot where you can lose weight.

MRSpivey

I contend that you DO burn calories doing strength training! The expended/burned calories are difficult to accurately account for due to the number of variables. I personally use Fit Wiz App to approximate the calories burned. I work out three days a week and each session is started with 10-15 minutes of cardio, 150-180 minutes of weight lifting (with only a 1-2 min rest between sets), and ending with 20-30 minutes of cardio. During my weight lifting I go at it hard such that I'm sweating quite a bit. I tend to account for my lifting as a light effort and therefore reflect about 500 calories burned during lifting. As mentioned by another poster, building muscle also will increase your metabolism!