Lifting doesn't burn many calories?
EmbeeKay
Posts: 249 Member
How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
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Replies
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I agree], I do not agree with any logging here, its different everywhere, its all a guess, we are all different,2
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You can always log it as circuit training under cardio. That worked for me but your mileage may vary. Adjust as necessary if your weight is not responding the way you think it should.0
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So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.18 -
I think when they refer to strength training they're more talking about heavy lifting with 2-3 minute rest periods between sets, what you're doing sounds more like circuit training or cross fit. Honestly, the calories burned on MFP don't seem super accurate either way, your best bet is gonna be to track your weight across a week or two and make sure you're not gaining/losing if you're shooting for maintenance, then adjust the calories burned manually until you've got it down.3
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So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I did read the book
I don't remember that being in there!
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Well, if the workout already takes me 45 minutes, gosh it's going to take FOREVER if I rest that long! Thank you for clarifying though!0
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While lifting doesn't burn as many calories as cardio, it still burns calories. I agree it shouldn't be your main reason for doing it.
Keep in mind, because you are supersetting (which is fine because you are typically resting one muscle while working another.. an upper and a lower) you can maybe burn a bit more, on top of that with Strong Curves, you are working the largest muscles in the body hard multiple times per week.. which I find helps with the calorie burn too.
ETA: Even if you are supersetting, rest between sets is important. Don't rush through the whole thing. Around 1-2min or 30sec for accessory/isolation stuff2 -
French_Peasant wrote: »You can always log it as circuit training under cardio. That worked for me but your mileage may vary. Adjust as necessary if your weight is not responding the way you think it should.
Only log circuit training as circuit training!
Log strength training as strength training. It's a low calorie burner but it's not about burning calories.....
As @mmapags says - slow down. Recover before lifting again otherwise you are compromising your workout. Quality of training matters.
Exercise is very much the minor player in your calorie balance - the accuracy or otherwise of your food logging is far more important.I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.
Be consistent and manually adjust your overall goal based on long term weight trends is very effective.5 -
So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I did read the book
I don't remember that being in there!
Which book did you read? My routine takes me about an hour 3x per week. 3 or 4 major compound and 1 or 2 auxiliaries.0 -
So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I did read the book
I don't remember that being in there!
Which book did you read? My routine takes me about an hour 3x per week. 3 or 4 major compound and 1 or 2 auxiliaries.
Strong Curves is a book which includes a set of programs designed by Bret Contreras
As far as I remember the workouts take around 45-60min .. not sure if that includes warm ups or not. OP if you are really struggling with time, you can cut down on the core work at the end or move it to a separate day. I always skipped it as I found enough core stimulation from my main lifts, but everyone is different.2 -
So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I did read the book
I don't remember that being in there!
Which book did you read? My routine takes me about an hour 3x per week. 3 or 4 major compound and 1 or 2 auxiliaries.
Strong Curves is a book which includes a set of programs designed by Bret Contreras
As far as I remember the workouts take around 45-60min .. not sure if that includes warm ups or not. OP if you are really struggling with time, you can cut down on the core work at the end or move it to a separate day. I always skipped it as I found enough core stimulation from my main lifts, but everyone is different.
Yes, I was about to edit that I had looked back at the OP and saw that. I agree on the core work. I don't do much of it as you are engaging your core on all the major lifts if using proper technique.0 -
How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
Many routines involving weights or body weight can end up being either circuit cardio with some resistance or strength training. It sounds like youi are going for the former, which is fine if you enjoy it, or if you are trying to burn more calories.0 -
Well, if the workout already takes me 45 minutes, gosh it's going to take FOREVER if I rest that long!
i'm not qualified to tweak your programming, but fwiw most people who lift 'heavy' - i.e. compound movements done mostly for strength - limit their volume to 5 to 3 sets of up to 5 reps for each set.0 -
canadianlbs wrote: »Well, if the workout already takes me 45 minutes, gosh it's going to take FOREVER if I rest that long!
i'm not qualified to tweak your programming, but fwiw most people who lift 'heavy' - i.e. compound movements done mostly for strength - limit their volume to 5 to 3 sets of up to 5 reps for each set.
She's following the Strong Curves Program. I'm not wildly familiar with it but what I looked up showed 3 sets of 5 compounds and 2 auxilliaries. But it was broken up into A and B exercises so maybe you don't do every one each day. Maybe the OP or someone who is more familiar can chime in with the details.1 -
canadianlbs wrote: »Well, if the workout already takes me 45 minutes, gosh it's going to take FOREVER if I rest that long!
i'm not qualified to tweak your programming, but fwiw most people who lift 'heavy' - i.e. compound movements done mostly for strength - limit their volume to 5 to 3 sets of up to 5 reps for each set.
strong curves isn't a heavy lifting program. its just a general strength fitness/function program.
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canadianlbs wrote: »Well, if the workout already takes me 45 minutes, gosh it's going to take FOREVER if I rest that long!
i'm not qualified to tweak your programming, but fwiw most people who lift 'heavy' - i.e. compound movements done mostly for strength - limit their volume to 5 to 3 sets of up to 5 reps for each set.
She's following the Strong Curves Program. I'm not wildly familiar with it but what I looked up showed 3 sets of 5 compounds and 2 auxilliaries. But it was broken up into A and B exercises so maybe you don't do every one each day. Maybe the OP or someone who is more familiar can chime in with the details.
There are 3 workouts to be done 3-4x per week, with two back to back or every other day depending on your schedule or preference.
And ya it is not a strength program (although you can gain strength doing it) more hypertrophy/aesthetics.2 -
canadianlbs wrote: »Well, if the workout already takes me 45 minutes, gosh it's going to take FOREVER if I rest that long!
i'm not qualified to tweak your programming, but fwiw most people who lift 'heavy' - i.e. compound movements done mostly for strength - limit their volume to 5 to 3 sets of up to 5 reps for each set.
strong curves isn't a heavy lifting program. its just a general strength fitness/function program.
that'll learn me to post while waiting for my coffee machine. i had a point but now that i've corrected the caffeine deficit i'm suspecting i was beside the op's point anyway.
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So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I did read the book
I don't remember that being in there!
You read the book correctly. The programs are written as supersets with no rest between. I found that too exhausting and difficult so added minute and a half rest as was optional in the book. Even with the rests most days only took me 30-45 minutes. I also got a burn calculation of over 300 calories. I'm probably a lot larger than you, but 120 still seems low. Are you using the "strength training" activity from MFP?0 -
jennybearlv wrote: »
So, you are confusing strength training with cardio. With strength training, you actually want to rest between sets so that the primary energy source for the next set Adenosine Tri-phosphate can recover and recharge and you can get the most out of your next set. The idea isn't necessarily to sweat and get your heart rate up. The burns during weight training are not the primary benefit. I''d suggest you google benefits of weight training for more info.How can this be??? I started Strong Curves a couple weeks ago. The workouts take me about 45 minutes, and I try not to rest between exercises except to jot down my reps and weight. I am working really hard! I'm pouring sweat and my heart is thumping the whole time. But when I log 45 minutes of strength training, it's like 120 cal. How can this be?
(I ask because I want to log exercise calories as closely as possible... I'm breast-feeding my baby and I want to be eating as near maintenance as i can.)
You are doing something that will reduce fat, develop muscle and give you a great looking body. Keep up the good work with more recovery between sets to get the most out of the work.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I did read the book
I don't remember that being in there!
You read the book correctly. The programs are written as supersets with no rest between. I found that too exhausting and difficult so added minute and a half rest as was optional in the book. Even with the rests most days only took me 30-45 minutes. I also got a burn calculation of over 300 calories. I'm probably a lot larger than you, but 120 still seems low. Are you using the "strength training" activity from MFP?
Yes, I am!
I really appreciate everyone chiming in! I didn't realize I could be doing it better. @sardelsa I will probably follow your suggestion to cut the ab/core stuff at the end. I sometimes feel pressure to follow things like this to the letter but I am indeed pressed for time since I workout at home during kids' nap times.
I'm definitely not working for the calorie burn... but like I said, I don't want to dip too low as it will likely affect my milk supply first. But I'll try resting longer between supersets.
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