Do you log strength training?

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
edited January 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I was told that heart rate monitors are not accurate for calories used during strength training, so I shouldn't log it or eat it back. Then I was told that you need extra calories when you do strength training so you can gain muscles.

So... what do I do? My HRM basically says I burn 100 calories in a 30 minutes workout session (300 calories if I take a bodypump class).

Replies

  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Just because you can't accurately estimate with a HRM doesn't mean you can't eat them back.
    I use MFP, it gives me 200 calories for an hour. Its a low enough number that it isn't going to make or break my deficit, I am confident I am burning at least half of the if not more than that. And it gives me a little extra food.
  • mich1902
    mich1902 Posts: 182
    Just because you can't accurately estimate with a HRM doesn't mean you can't eat them back.
    I use MFP, it gives me 200 calories for an hour. Its a low enough number that it isn't going to make or break my deficit, I am confident I am burning at least half of the if not more than that. And it gives me a little extra food.

    I use this too. The cals are normally spent on a post-workout protein snack anyway.
  • isisbryan
    isisbryan Posts: 105 Member
    I was always told that you need some protein to build your muscles after a heavy strength training session. While using low weight and high repetitions, I would say don't eat the calories because you aren't using a tremendous amount of calories. For high weight and low repetitions, I would say have a protein or recovery drink like GNC Amplified Wheybolic 60. It is 60g of proteins when using 3 scoops but it also balanced in respect to carbs. I use one scoop after my high activity strength training classes like Nike Training Club and some Zumba classes. Now, take my two cents for what it's worth..... 2 cents. :laugh:
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    Your HRM won't give you a good answer, but you can still estimate it. So much is going to depend on what you're lifting and how, and then you've got the whole post-EPOC argument... basically I use MFP's estimate because it's easy, low, and will remind me to eat some extra protein.
  • linsey0689
    linsey0689 Posts: 753 Member
    I log it never the strength training sections which doesn't give you back any calories back. If I want extra calories back I do cardio
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I log it never the strength training sections which doesn't give you back any calories back. If I want extra calories back I do cardio

    If you search strength training in the cardio section you will get a value.
  • luvnlocks
    luvnlocks Posts: 1
    I always wondered why I didn't get a value from weight training. Thanks for that tip! Good to know I can at least estimate how much I burn with weights.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I log then as strength training. Not as a calorie burn. I just increased my 'activity level' for my TDEE so my caloric goal is higher.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I log then as strength training. Not as a calorie burn. I just increased my 'activity level' for my TDEE so my caloric goal is higher.

    It's about the same number if I do that.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I log then as strength training. Not as a calorie burn. I just increased my 'activity level' for my TDEE so my caloric goal is higher.

    It's about the same number if I do that.
    It 's less work, having to figure out how to record my at home weights as cardio then refocusing my planned meals. So it just works better my me, even though it is about the same either way at the end of the week.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I was told that heart rate monitors are not accurate for calories used during strength training, so I shouldn't log it or eat it back. Then I was told that you need extra calories when you do strength training so you can gain muscles.

    So... what do I do? My HRM basically says I burn 100 calories in a 30 minutes workout session (300 calories if I take a bodypump class).

    Your HRM isn't accurate for strength training...but that doesn't mean you don't burn calories or need those extra calories. Much is going to depend on your level of effort and how/what you're lifting. Are you truly strength training..i.e. full body compound lifts with low reps being the focus of the routine? Or are you doing a body building type of routine...or muscular endurance type of routine....circuit training, etc.

    I've found the formulas here to work pretty well...just remember, it's all estimates.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/338469-how-to-calculate-calories-burned-weight-lifting/
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I was told that heart rate monitors are not accurate for calories used during strength training, so I shouldn't log it or eat it back. Then I was told that you need extra calories when you do strength training so you can gain muscles.

    So... what do I do? My HRM basically says I burn 100 calories in a 30 minutes workout session (300 calories if I take a bodypump class).

    Your HRM isn't accurate for strength training...but that doesn't mean you don't burn calories or need those extra calories. Much is going to depend on your level of effort and how/what you're lifting. Are you truly strength training..i.e. full body compound lifts with low reps being the focus of the routine? Or are you doing a body building type of routine...or muscular endurance type of routine....circuit training, etc.

    I've found the formulas here to work pretty well...just remember, it's all estimates.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/338469-how-to-calculate-calories-burned-weight-lifting/

    Yeah it's about right. If anything, it seems I don't burn as much.
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