question on lifting weights

I don't know how you log the calories, but one thing that is nice about lifting weights is that as you increase muscle mass, you burn more calories, even when resting. So even if the actual process of lifting weights doesn't seem to burn many calories, the overall effect really does help you lose weight and keep it off.

Every time you move you're moving you are burning calories (extras that is) as your body burns calories just sitting around, that's why we want more muscle as it burns MORE calories over time per pound than fat does.

I don't think the burn will be anything like an hour of cardio, but the only way to know for sure is to have a body tracking device...
I'd just note the strenght-training and time doing it so you can look back and see when you did what exercises!

Strength training does not "tone", losing fat "tones". Which is done by burning calories, so yeah my first sentence might be slightly wrong.

Strength training builds strength by building muscle (providing you are lifting heavy, and keep going until you can't lift any more).

Not only does actually lifting the weight burn calories, but the process of building muscle does, and once you've got your increased muscle mass, your basal metabolic rate increases too.

So yes, lifting weights burns calories. Lots of em.

You actually burn more calories after you finish weight training. This helps keep your metabolism raised longer, so you actually burn more total calories than standard cardio. Conversely, with standard cardio, once your heart rate returns to normal, the calorie burn ends.

Strength training is much more effective at burning fat because of not only the aforementioned post-workout calorie burn, but also it will add lean muscle mass, which will also raise your metabolism as well.

You are getting some bad answers. Strength training for an hour doesn't burn as many calories as running for an hour unless you are circuit training with no rest between sets and exercises. If you do strength train in circuit style you really need no cardio.

Strength training does change your physique and will cause you to burn more calories over the day while at rest.

Here is a good example. You remember when you were 23 years old and weighed 135 pounds, so your goal is to get back to 135. When you reac yourh goal of 135 you realize that you still don't look how you wanted to. This is because as you age you lose musle mass, and add bodyfat. While your weight is the same you are carrying less muscle and more fat, thus the difference in appearance.

Most people at the gym have the same goal to be lean and well defined, yet you see the guys lifting weights and the women on the treadmills. So men and women have the same goals yet they are training very differently. Then the woman complain that men can reach their goals faster. Something to think about.

A good combination of cardio and strength training is the answer.

I meant to type running where I said lifting.

If you are doing "explosive" lifts with heavy weights (i.e. deadlifts, squats, weighted lunges, etc.), you are getting a good cardio workout. You will be sweating, and your heart will be pounding. Plus, you are adding muscle, which burns even more calories even when you are resting.

If you're doing isolation lifts like biceps curls with 5 lb. dumbbells, then yes, you are better off getting on the treadmill for an hour, in terms of calorie burn.

I don't understand why women are so afraid of lifting heavy weights. Unless you are taking steroids or eating thousands of calories a day, you are not going to look like a bodybuilder. You're just going to get really strong and really lean.

This is a good post. If you are lifting light weights for 20 reps you are wasting your time. Lift as heavy as you can for 2 months and come back and tell us how your body has changed.

You are getting some bad answers. Strength training for an hour doesn't burn as many calories as lifting for an hour unless you are circuit training with no rest between sets and exercises. If you do strength train in circuit style you really need no cardio.

Strength training does change your physique and will cause you to burn more calories over the day while at rest.

Here is a good example. You remember when you were 23 years old and weighed 135 pounds, so your goal is to get back to 135. When you reac yourh goal of 135 you realize that you still don't look how you wanted to. This is because as you age you lose musle mass, and add bodyfat. While your weight is the same you are carrying less muscle and more fat, thus the difference in appearance.

Most people at the gym have the same goal to be lean and well defined, yet you see the guys lifting weights and the women on the treadmills. So men and women have the same goals yet they are training very differently. Then the woman complain that men can reach their goals faster. Something to think about.

A good combination of cardio and strength training is the answer.

This is 100% the right answer. In order to burn the same or more calories as running you have to circuit train. Which is more effective than running for an hour. For example; I burn a little over 200 calories in 30 mins of running but 30 mins of circuit traning I burn over 300 and I continue to burn through out the day due to muscle building.

Also iamthepreston said "Then the woman complain that men can reach their goals faster. Something to think about."
Take a look at the trainers around the gym: Do you see them stick a client on the tredmill? If so it is no more than 5 mins bc they are using that as a warm up. Other than 5 mins NOOOOOO they do not. They circuit train bc you have to "SHOCK" the muscles to get results (which is that you are paying for).....

Every time you move you're moving you are burning calories (extras that is) as your body burns calories just sitting around, that's why we want more muscle as it burns MORE calories over time per pound than fat does.

I don't think the burn will be anything like an hour of cardio, but the only way to know for sure is to have a body tracking device...
I'd just note the strenght-training and time doing it so you can look back and see when you did what exercises!

This. I wear my HRM during my lifting sets, and calculate the burn the same way. Burned 787 calories last night doing P90X Chest and Back, which is about 75 minutes (with Ab Ripper X). I usually burn between 600 - 800 calories just my lifting sets, but I have gone as high as 900+. It all depends on how hard you're working.

there's an article somewhere on this site that explains the flaws in using your HRM monitor while lifting. it's not as accurate as when you're doing cardio. i still count mine as well this way because i have no idea how else to estimate my calorie burn without some fancy machines. if your HRM says you burned 1000 calories lifting weights i wouldn't be eating back all those calories because i believe the number is inflated.

Strength training does not "tone", losing fat "tones". Which is done by burning calories, so yeah my first sentence might be slightly wrong.

Strength training builds strength by building muscle (providing you are lifting heavy, and keep going until you can't lift any more).

Not only does actually lifting the weight burn calories, but the process of building muscle does, and once you've got your increased muscle mass, your basal metabolic rate increases too.

So yes, lifting weights burns calories. Lots of em.

^^^^^^THIS

Lifting weights is THE WAY TO GO.

My body looks a heck of a lot better now at 110 pounds than it did at 105 pounds...skinny fat is not attractive.

If you are doing "explosive" lifts with heavy weights (i.e. deadlifts, squats, weighted lunges, etc.), you are getting a good cardio workout. You will be sweating, and your heart will be pounding. Plus, you are adding muscle, which burns even more calories even when you are resting.

If you're doing isolation lifts like biceps curls with 5 lb. dumbbells, then yes, you are better off getting on the treadmill for an hour, in terms of calorie burn.

I don't understand why women are so afraid of lifting heavy weights. Unless you are taking steroids or eating thousands of calories a day, you are not going to look like a bodybuilder. You're just going to get really strong and really lean.

This is a good post. If you are lifting light weights for 20 reps you are wasting your time. Lift as heavy as you can for 2 months and come back and tell us how your body has changed.

THIS. I started lifting about 2 months ago and the heavier I lift the more it feels like I'm doing cardio...and sweating like I'm doing cardio.

Would working with resistance bands be classed as "strength training" - I don't have weights and can't afford to shell out on huge amounts of things, but I have just purchased a set of resistance bands at different weights:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Resistance-Exercise-Fitness-Equipment-Training/dp/B004P9X0RC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1302107547&sr=1-1

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THIS. I started lifting about 2 months ago and the heavier I lift the more it feels like I'm doing cardio...and sweating like I'm doing cardio.

Definately. My leg days are very close to cardio and my heart rate stays up and I'm pouring sweat.

I still do 2-3 cardio sessions per week, because it's not a substitute. But that being said, cardio also isn't a replacement for a good weight training routine. You need to lift to get a great body.

If your heart rate is acclerated you are doing cardio at the same time. Killing 2 birds with 1 stone :drinker:

Just going to add something: ladies should NOT be afraid of heavy resistance training. Pre-baby and pre-marriage I was 128 - 132 lbs and 5'8" --- so very lean --- but strong as he!! because I weight trained to exhaustion with heavy weights. Best shape of my life... and I obviously didn't look like the incredible hulk! lol.

IF you're wanting weights it's coming up on yard-sale season you can sometimes pick up a couple hundred pounds worth of weights for under $50 as the shine is off the new years resolutions