Burning fewer calories than I used to

christymccreath
christymccreath Posts: 3
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
When I started doing Body Pump (an hour long strength training class) I used to burn up to 530 calories in the class. I started about 8 months ago. Now when I go, I've increased weight on the barbells but am burning significantly fewer calories -- like only 290 - 320. What gives?

I have lost a little weight (about 5 lbs) and have toned up and have been training for a marathon. Could that explain the decrease in calories burned?

Replies

  • JohnGym
    JohnGym Posts: 34
    How are you measuring your calories burned?
  • hewhoiscd
    hewhoiscd Posts: 1,029 Member
    My best guess would be that your average heart rate is lower now since you are more fit.
  • cheshirechic
    cheshirechic Posts: 489 Member
    I'm no expert, but I think you can attribute it to getting stronger and fitter. The fitter you are, the less your heart has to work to do that same class. The less your heart has to work, the lower your heart rate, equalling fewer calories burned. Same thing happened to me.

    Even though it's easy to be bummed out about not burning as much, it's because you're stronger, not because you don't put in as much effort (which I highly doubt), especially if you're training for a marathon! That's definitely a NSV in a very weird way-- burning fewer calories with the same effort.
  • JohnGym
    JohnGym Posts: 34
    Your heart may be beating less, but this does not mean you are burning less calories. You will definitely be burning more as I assume you have increased the weight lifted in those 8 months?

    Forget the watch. Unless you have had VO2 Max tests every months during your training then the watch is likely to be wildly inaccurate.

    You will have more lean tissue, a greater BMR due to the muscle and you are lifting more weight. Forget the watch.
  • christymccreath
    christymccreath Posts: 3
    Thanks all! That all makes sense.

    JohnGym, I use my Polarlink to measure my calories burned. I wear a band around my chest that monitors my heart rate based on height, weight, age and gender.
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