Calories from weight lifting...

Kalel97
Kalel97 Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
Anyone know how to accurately track calories when lifting weight? I assume there are several factors....age,weight, reps, sets, speed etc. I have just been using the "Strength Training" option under cardiovascular and inputting my total workout time. I have no idea how accurate it is. I also have seen the strength training section where you can record sets, reps, & weight but it only appears to be for logging workouts and not calorie expenditure.

Replies

  • alymae7
    alymae7 Posts: 11 Member
    You could get a heart rate monitor , Lots of them monitor calories as well .
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    You can search for Strength Training under Cardio, though, it seems to me that I'm burning more calories then it gives me.
  • cj2k2006
    cj2k2006 Posts: 9
    do what alymae7 said ^^^^ its the only accuarate way!!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    You could get a heart rate monitor , Lots of them monitor calories as well .

    HRMs do not give an accurate calorie count for strength training. The formula the HRM uses to estimate burn is based on a perceived level of VO2 max and assumes an aerobic event. Strength training is not even remotely a good indicator of VO2 max.

    OP...it's really a crap shoot with strength training because there are so many variables. I used to just log 150 calories and drink a protein shake to eat those calories back. A good 60 minute session is probably a bit more than that, but really you don't burn a ton of calories lifting. The "burn" benefit from lifting really comes with the next 24-48 hours when the muscles repair...that's the real energy burn.

    There's also this, which is a reasonable calculation...but again, much is going to depend on your true level of effort here.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/338469-how-to-calculate-calories-burned-weight-lifting/
  • momonmission2013
    momonmission2013 Posts: 11
    i do my strength training in circuits and thats how i log it anything else i get is just beneficial sorry im not much help but this is what helped me ... plus it depends on what you mention before. Good luck!
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    no one here can give you an accurate answer. You could be dripping buckets of sweat or digging in your nose and playin on phone in between sets.
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    no one here can give you an accurate answer. You could be dripping buckets of sweat or digging in your nose and playin on phone in between sets.

    QFT,
    Or you can drip buckets of sweat and play on your phone between sets like I do :smile:

    If you're hungry - eat. If you're not, don't.
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    Unfortunately, unless you have access to doctors and a metabolic chamber, you can only estimate how many calories you burn during weight lifting. Factors such as intensity of your workout, muscle group(s) worked, and the so called "after burn" effect can't be measured with a heart rate monitor. Many individuals over estimate how many calories they burn during a workout. Over time you will get a good baseline of what your caloric requirements are. If you are weight lifting on a regular basis, my suggestion is to calculate your TDEE and use that as a rough estimate of your caloric requirements. There are a number of calculators online that will help you do this. Again, it will be a rough estimate, but no two people are alike, so you will have to endure trial and error. IMHO, it makes it a lot easier than trying to determine what amount of your exercise calories to "eat back" every day.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Lifting doesn't burn that much even if you are dripping buckets of sweat. I'm sitting in my office right not dripping buckets of sweat and I bet I'm not burning any more than if I were cool, calm and refreshed.

    Best way to determine if you need to compensate for your lifting is too see if you are suddenly dropping copious amounts of weight. That would be an indicator that maybe you need to eat more. Generally if you are trying to build muscle you don't want to be in a calorie deficit so if your goal is losing weight while lifting then I wouldn't worry about the calorie burn.
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    Or you can drip buckets of sweat and play on your phone between sets like I do :smile:


    lol

    My method is identical
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I estimate about 200/hour... which is less than walking.
  • Unknown
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  • TexasGal1
    TexasGal1 Posts: 65 Member
    Great info! and thank you for the link!!

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