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How many calories do you aim to burn at the gym per workout?

fitbunny93
fitbunny93 Posts: 16 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Although I know the machines aren't entirely accurate, I'm curious to know if anyone has a calorie goal at the gym. Mine is 500 per workout. If there is no calorie goal, how long do you spend at the gym for a workout?
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Replies

  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,137 Member
    I spend the amount of time it takes to do my workout, whatever is scheduled for the day.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,862 Member
    fitbunny93 wrote: »
    Although I know the machines aren't entirely accurate, I'm curious to know if anyone has a calorie goal at the gym. Mine is 500 per workout. If there is no calorie goal, how long do you spend at the gym for a workout?

    I get my cardio from running/cycling, so only do strength training at the gym - so ~nil for me on calories burned at the gym.

    weight training is ~3 days/week. Usually as much time as the 2 of us have (1 of us usually has to be somewhere within 2 hours)...ideally until he decides I've worked the chosen muscles enough.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,360 Member
    I don't have a goal. I have fitness goals such and increasing the distance I cycle in a set amount of time, increasing my average cadence, lifting more weight, and the like. I really don't care what the calorie burn is since my weight loss is primarily based in a calorie deficit established by what I eat. The extra burn from exercise, is a bonus, but I don't shoot for anything specific with it.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,862 Member
    ritzvin wrote: »
    fitbunny93 wrote: »
    Although I know the machines aren't entirely accurate, I'm curious to know if anyone has a calorie goal at the gym. Mine is 500 per workout. If there is no calorie goal, how long do you spend at the gym for a workout?

    I get my cardio from running/cycling, so only do strength training at the gym - so ~nil for me on calories burned at the gym.

    weight training is ~3 days/week. Usually as much time as the 2 of us have (1 of us usually has to be somewhere within 2 hours)...ideally until he decides I've worked the chosen muscles enough.

    (I do add it to MFP using an estimate of active time doing reps - which will be <100 calories usually).
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,862 Member
    ritzvin wrote: »
    fitbunny93 wrote: »
    Although I know the machines aren't entirely accurate, I'm curious to know if anyone has a calorie goal at the gym. Mine is 500 per workout. If there is no calorie goal, how long do you spend at the gym for a workout?

    I get my cardio from running/cycling, so only do strength training at the gym - so ~nil for me on calories burned at the gym.

    weight training is ~3 days/week. Usually as much time as the 2 of us have (1 of us usually has to be somewhere within 2 hours)...ideally until he decides I've worked the chosen muscles enough.

    running time: whatever is called for by the current training plan (this week included 2x 4 mile short runs, 1x 7 mile medium run, and 1x 12 mile long run...so ~40 minutes to 2+ hours). Cycling: whatever mileage that day's group ride is (typically 20-30 miles for a weekday evening ride).
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    edited February 2017
    No calorie burn goal. I just do the exercise.
    I exercise at home not a gym. Time spent varies. I have an hour scheduled for exercise but may do less.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    fitbunny93 wrote: »
    I'm curious to know if anyone has a calorie goal at the gym.

    I do not.
    fitbunny93 wrote: »
    Mine is 500 per workout.

    Holy poo. It would take me over an hour to get something like that.
    fitbunny93 wrote: »
    If there is no calorie goal, how long do you spend at the gym for a workout?

    I go till my workout is finished. I am following a weight lifting program. It usually takes 35 mins to 1 hour (at most).
    If/When I do cardio in the gym I usually do Zombies,Run! and that keeps my mind occupied for the 30 or so mins of whatever brain numbing cardio machine I am using.

  • briannasnyder12
    briannasnyder12 Posts: 14 Member
    I typically spend 55 minutes strength training and 25 minutes running afterward. In general, I estimate that I burn approximately 550 calories doing so, given that I tend to lose weight if I don't consistently eat 2000 (or so) calories
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    No calorie goal.

    Between 45 - 70 mins
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,750 Member
    No calorie goal. I just go in and train as hard as I can. I leave when I'm done.
  • gracemaryx
    gracemaryx Posts: 15 Member
    I don't count calories when I work out or else I won't enjoy it. I do whatever workout is scheduled for that day - usually weight training, go my hardest and heaviest and leave. Usually about 45min-1hour from start of lifting to end of lifting (depending on how long I spend standing there deciding which song to put on next :D )
  • __TMac__
    __TMac__ Posts: 1,669 Member
    I do my planned workout, which often takes me to about 500. If it's a light day, I'll then walk or bike until I hit the 500. I prefer to be able to plan for a similar calorie intake each day.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Same as everyone else, do my planned workout, the calories fall where they will. I can hit about 400 for an hour if it's quite intense. But you're lucky if I'm focused enough to do an hour!
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I usually aim for over 1,000, if I have time.
  • AFGP11
    AFGP11 Posts: 142 Member
    Generally my workout is between 600 and 700 calories. I lift heavy and run three times a week each. I don't aim for a particular goal, but since I'm doing a program it is generally close each time. As I get smaller, I will burn less calories but it will be relative to my size.
  • dustedwithsugar
    dustedwithsugar Posts: 179 Member
    I only have calorie goal for cardio, which I usually do if I want extra calories for dinner (or chocolate after dinner). Usually I aim to burn around 300. For strength training, whatever I burn is fine. Fitbit is not very accurate with calorie from strength training anyway.
  • Chunkahlunkah
    Chunkahlunkah Posts: 373 Member
    edited February 2017
    I'm working up to a goal of burning 100-200 calories every single day through deliberate exercise. My numbers are so pitiful. :D I'm recovering from anemia. It's taken my hemoglobin and iron levels a long time to raise. They're still not "normal" but they're good enough that I'm capable of light activity.

    My long term goal is 200+ calories burned daily through exercise, forever (health allowing). I'm committed to that.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    Calorie goal? Well, I know how much to expect for my usual workout... I guess I focus more on the eating plan than the workout plan.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    edited February 2017
    I don't have a calorie goal. It woud take me like 3 hours at least in the gym to get to 500. I don't have that kind of extra time so I just do my workout and get my calorie deficit in the kitchen.
  • comeonnow142857
    comeonnow142857 Posts: 310 Member
    I don't account for any I burn calories while working out. I lift weights to maintain muscle/build strength and do cardio for health (and feelgood) reasons.
  • everher
    everher Posts: 909 Member
    No calorie goal, but I have x amount of time to spend working out daily.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited February 2017
    I don't workout to get some specific amount of calorie expenditure. I follow my training program...some days I burn more and some days I burn less...some rides are longer and some are shorter and some days I don't ride and just lift, etc. My rides can vary anywhere from 30-60 minutes...I only really do longer than that if I'm actively training. My lifting sessions are typically about 45 minutes of actual work...about 60 minutes when I include warm up and rolling/stretching at the end.

    The focus of my exercise is my fitness and developing and improving my physical fitness...I usually do a couple of events during the year so I spend some time training deliberately for those and follow a training plan for those.

    My weight management happens in the kitchen.
  • ChristopherLimoges
    ChristopherLimoges Posts: 298 Member
    No specific amount. If my form starts to suffer I intentionally slow down or stop and make corrections.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    No calorie goal.
    Fitness, performance, strength goals.

    Duration depends on goals.
  • joaniebalonie088
    joaniebalonie088 Posts: 93 Member
    I don't have a goal but I can't help but be a little extra stoked when I hit a huge calorie burn ;)
    Sometimes if I am on a machine I'll catch myself staying on for an extra minute or two to hit a round number or something hehe
  • CafeRacer808
    CafeRacer808 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Exercise is for overall health and fitness. That it gives me extra calories is a nice bonus, but that's the last thing I think about when working out.
  • roxyyrainy123
    roxyyrainy123 Posts: 44 Member
    briannasnyder12 wrote: »
    I typically spend 55 minutes strength training and 25 minutes running afterward. In general, I estimate that I burn approximately 550 calories doing so, given that I tend to lose weight if I don't consistently eat 2000 (or so) calories

    I'm with you. I do a 10 minute warm up usually HIIT on the treadmill, then lift for 55-60 mins. If I feel my heart rate dropping too low I do a quick 2 minute sprint and get back to lifting. I take 30 second breaks up to a minute between sets, and finish off with 20 mins of low intensity cardio to burn some calories but TRY and keep my muscle gains. I've estimated an average of 550-600 calorie burn as well. Trying to get this last 4% bf down then I'll eat at a surplus.... so ready!!!
  • Strudders67
    Strudders67 Posts: 989 Member
    I exercise to improve my stamina, flexibility & muscle strength and what I do each time I go to the gym varies from day to day. The calories I get back are just a bonus.
This discussion has been closed.

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