Calories burned?

Strength training doesn't burn much, but it's still good for you and will keep you from looking skinny fat when you reach goal.

heather240 wrote: »

So I joined the local ymca this week and they have an area I go to (very few ppl) with a circuit training room of Strive smart strength machines. I tried to find them by searching under exercises. I am lost and idk what these machines are called. Any way to estimate my calories burned just by using the time spent? Or is there a way to log each machine on here?

Also built up the nerve to go to the very edge of the main gym... Does anybody know of any websites that show pics of what these machines are called and how to use them? I am very shy and don't like asking anyone for help. I joined on the second and Ive gone 5/7 days and I don't want to get discouraged because I feel like such a dumby! I'm motivated and I feel really great after going. please help.. thank you

I figured out one is a recumbant bike..? but this had arm bars on it that go forward and backward so it may be called something different?

If you are actually doing the circuit, the way it's intended, there is selection under cardio for circuit training.It's a heck of alot easier to put down "circuit training 30 minutes" than trying to find and list 10 machines at 3 minutes each.

For the most accurate calorie burn I’d suggest getting a heart rate monitor. I ended up getting an older version of a Polar brand one, only $60. It’s like a watch you wear and a chest strap which is NOT big and bulky like I thought it was going to be. Much more accurate than finding burns on MFP.

teknosprite wrote: »

For the most accurate calorie burn I’d suggest getting a heart rate monitor. I ended up getting an older version of a Polar brand one, only $60. It’s like a watch you wear and a chest strap which is NOT big and bulky like I thought it was going to be. Much more accurate than finding burns on MFP.

The cheaper Polars that only have your age, gender, weight, height are starting out with some rather broad assumptions (based on BMI (height/weight) and estimated fitness level (age/gender for that BMI)) that even if close to being accurate at the start will soon be way off - and that's for the only thing where HR has a chance of decent accuracy - steady-state aerobic with same HR for 2-4 min stretches.
Your lifting, intervals, circuit training ect will all be inflated - unless by sheer coincidence you make them so whimpy it happens to match - but you'd never know that.


@heather240

That resistance training will help the weight you do lose be only fat. Diet is the biggest factor to helping lose that weight though.

That equipment you listed happens to be used as circuit training - probably even a clock on the wall, you do as many reps in the time given, selecting a weight you can do that whole time.

If rests are about the 1 min or less between machines, and reps about 15-20 with enough weight to be tough - just log as Circuit training and take the calorie count is probably very close. You stand talking between for longer, take less.
Yes it's low compared to straight cardio for equal time - but you need to stop viewing exercise for weight loss.
And being circuit you go through with 1 set, then go back through if you have time and energy.

Diet is for weight loss - done right can be just fat loss, done wrong can include muscle mass loss.
Exercise is for heart health and body transformation - done right can encourage fat-only loss, done wrong can aid some muscle loss.

And a transformed body from exercise can look slimmer and lighter than the number on the scale might appear - plus all the other benefits.

heather240 wrote: »

So circuit training is the same calories weights or aerobic?
Says 15min = 200cal. I do weigh 250 but still probably too high. I didnt count time between/cleaning machines.
Doing 2sets/15reps highest weight tolerable. 30arms 50legs approximate.
So youre saying for fat loss/calorie burn i need to do it faster with less weight?
Sorry im so new to all of this. Other than a cpl weeks of zumba videos quite a few years back i havent exercised since i was about 14. Never used a gym or weights paying for it now

Don't over complicate things. Keep it simple and consistent.

It is true that you can burn some at the gym, but unless you are running for miles, it won't be much (and then you'll have other issues like wanting/needing to eat more).

Instead of thinking about burning fat, think about getting stronger and more fit. Watch what you eat and give it time. Patience and consistency are the keys.

ETA - Heart rate monitors are pointless for counting calories. They can be used for distance training but for most other things they are useless. Again, don't over complicate this.