Weight Lifters! I need your help

Just as a data point... I used my HRM for the first time while weight lifting yesterday. It came up with 322. Prior to yesterday I was using this calculator to estimate it: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc, and that comes up with 283. I'm curious to hear the responses.

I'm so tempted to get one of those BodyBugg or BodyMedia gadgets which are supposedly super accurate for measuring calories burned. I just hate that they require a monthly subscription.

I usually burn 700 to 800 calories an hour when weight lifting (usually about 450 for an ab workout). I'm a 230 pound man and I lift heavy weights with short rest periods between sets. You can burn a lot more calories than most people think by lifting weights. The reason most people might not burn a lot of calories compared to cardio is the fact that they rest too long between sets or use that time to chat with friends, etc. Weight lifting also elevates your metabolism for up to 39 hours after a workout for an added bonus.

Not true, unfortunately. :frown:

In reference to the HRM number, not the other posts!!!!!

mine said 500 for an hours lifting tonight - surely if your heart rate is raised you'll be burning fat and calories though - even if its not raised lots like running

have a pink polar one with a chest strap, so i would assume it to be quite accurate

oh and note:
I take oxyelite pro, so it raises my heart rate anyway

The Oxyelite may be raising your heart rate. Also, lifting that long seems excessive to me.

I've spoke with the certified trainer at my gym about this before. Comparing what you burned to what the trainer said, I think that it is entirely possible that you did in fact burn that much. Honestly, it doesn't seem that high to me, rather sounds more average per a hard workout.

Another thing to remember is that you continue to burn calories throughout the day after you lift. As your muscles repair after being torn apart absolutely burns more calories during the day.

As for this site, I type in "400 calories" burned for my 50 minute workout. I would guess that's low, as I probably burn much more than that. I just don't want to over-estimate my workouts as some days are different than others.

I just leave it at what it recommends for strength training. That is pretty conservative IMO>

Yes, completely agree in terms of being conservative.

Like I said, if you're lifting hard, then you are burning a ton of calories (don't rest for very long in between sets - exhaust your muscles!). But...I underestimate mine as well once I put the number into this site.

It's also important to keep in mind that everyone's body and mind is unique and we all work in different ways. This can surely cause different outcomes in terms of calories burned.

As an aside, you won't see much muscle growth/strength increase on a low calorie diet. Not to say there will be none, but it will be limited.

I think this is true of a "low calorie" diet... but not a calorie deficit diet.

I regularly run a 300-500 calorie deficit and still put on 5lbs of muscle since January 1st. In case others were curious how I know this, I have a body fat monitor that shows my BF running a little lower (18.7 to 18.1) and my weight is 5 lbs higher.

The key is to make sure that you get enough protein (and the type of protein) as well as enough base line calories. I usually consume over 2000 calories a day - but still hold a deficit.

The other key to muscle growth is in the type of exercises you do... everything from you set numbers to your weight loads, rest period and even your rep type (full range, partial or x-rep).