Fitness Class -- How do I log it on MFP?

theperfectratio
theperfectratio Posts: 49 Member
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
So I just started a fitness class that I'll be doing once a week in addition to my biking & 30 day shred. I was wondering how to log it. Apologies in advance, I have NO IDEA what any of these moves are called. It's an hour long class composed of:

First Section -- jogging in place, knee lifts, butt kicks, jumping jacks, then kicking forward lightly while holding arms up at shoulder height and switching them over and under each other (idk how to explain it). 30 seconds each, done 3 times with 15 sec of rest in between

Second Section -- 'hammers' (lift 5 lb weight to shoulders, above head, behind head for triceps, then back up and then to the sides), lifting dumbbell from ground to chest/back while in a lunge, chest flys, shoulder raises (30 sec each 3x w/15 sec rest in btwn)

Third Section -- crunches, bicycles, superman, lifting legs and leaning back & touching hands from one side to another on the ground (30 sec each 3x w/15 sec in btwn)

Fourth Section -- jog in place then jump & lunge, then jump & lunge with other foot, frog hops, bouncing on one foot 4x while lifting the other knee up in the air, kicking forward/side/back alternating legs (30 sec each 3x w/15 sec in btwn)

Fifth Section -- (across the room and back:) runningx2, skippingx2, jumping, skipping while twisting body, tires. this took 5 min total.

Would this count as circuit training? Or do I have to break each section up and log them separately? Sorry if this is long, I wanted to be as clear as possible so I can log it accurately. I dont want to over/undereat my exercise calories!

Replies

  • LilMissFoodie
    LilMissFoodie Posts: 612 Member
    It doesn't sound quite like circuit training - I personally would log it as aerobics, general - it sounds like it is mostly cardio with a few breaks of strength but you are probably still keeping your heart rate up reasonably well, at least to the level of lower impact aerobics (as it sounds quite intense). Just try to remember that it's all just an estimate when it comes to how many calories we are burning - if you find that you aren't losing weight, then perhaps consider you may be overestimating exercise calories.
  • theperfectratio
    theperfectratio Posts: 49 Member
    It doesn't sound quite like circuit training - I personally would log it as aerobics, general - it sounds like it is mostly cardio with a few breaks of strength but you are probably still keeping your heart rate up reasonably well, at least to the level of lower impact aerobics (as it sounds quite intense). Just try to remember that it's all just an estimate when it comes to how many calories we are burning - if you find that you aren't losing weight, then perhaps consider you may be overestimating exercise calories.

    Excellent, thanks for the info! ^_^ I unfortunately ran out of time today and only ended up consuming just over 1200 total (not net) calories ): but next time I'll eat a little more and intake those exercise cals!!

    another follow up/related question -- is the 30 day shred circuit training or aerobics then? Previously I logged it as circuit training for 25 min but maybe I'm wrong? Being totally fitness clueless is such a pain sometimes :P
  • sugarbone
    sugarbone Posts: 454 Member
    You might find buying a heart rate monitor useful for exercises that are tricky to log! MFP's exercise database also largely overestimates how much you burn, in my opinion. An HRM will tell you much more accurate calories, based on your weight, age, and how your heart rate rose and fell during the work out. :-)

    This is more important if you plan on eating back exercise cals, as if MFP is inaccurate you could be overeating.
  • LilMissFoodie
    LilMissFoodie Posts: 612 Member
    I count the shred as 20 minutes of circuit training - I read once that the program (I don't know because I downloaded it - naughty me) says it burns 180cals for a girl weighing 70kg or something, I weigh more than that and mine comes up at just under 250 which I think is probably right based on their estimation/my weight. Also, if you were male it would be more.

    BTW on the heart rate monitor thing - they are terrible at estimating energy expenditure, that is not what they are designed for. Your heart rate is not a good indicator of how much you are burning, especially if you are unfit!
  • theperfectratio
    theperfectratio Posts: 49 Member
    You might find buying a heart rate monitor useful for exercises that are tricky to log! MFP's exercise database also largely overestimates how much you burn, in my opinion. An HRM will tell you much more accurate calories, based on your weight, age, and how your heart rate rose and fell during the work out. :-) This is more important if you plan on eating back exercise cals, as if MFP is inaccurate you could be overeating.
    Thank you for the advice!! I will look into it for my workouts at home...even if the calorie burn count isnt exact, I hear it's useful to make sure your heart rate is at a certain level to ensure you're working hard enough! :D
    I count the shred as 20 minutes of circuit training - I read once that the program (I don't know because I downloaded it - naughty me) says it burns 180cals for a girl weighing 70kg or something, I weigh more than that and mine comes up at just under 250 which I think is probably right based on their estimation/my weight. Also, if you were male it would be more.

    BTW on the heart rate monitor thing - they are terrible at estimating energy expenditure, that is not what they are designed for. Your heart rate is not a good indicator of how much you are burning, especially if you are unfit!
    Hmmm okay I'll start logging it as 20 instead of 25. To be honest I sort of knew I was giving myself a few extra minutes there anyway >_< I usually try not to eat back ALL of my exercise calories and oftentimes (like today) I don't even get the chance to! The frustrating thing about tracking this stuff is how vague or inexact it can be. I wish I had some sort of machine that could track EXACTLY how many calories I consume and burn every day :laugh:
  • jcannon15
    jcannon15 Posts: 148
    if you're really interested in calories burned i'd get a bodybugg.
  • theperfectratio
    theperfectratio Posts: 49 Member
    if you're really interested in calories burned i'd get a bodybugg
    I'll look into it, thank you!
  • LilMissFoodie
    LilMissFoodie Posts: 612 Member
    Hmmm okay I'll start logging it as 20 instead of 25. To be honest I sort of knew I was giving myself a few extra minutes there anyway >_< I usually try not to eat back ALL of my exercise calories and oftentimes (like today) I don't even get the chance to! The frustrating thing about tracking this stuff is how vague or inexact it can be. I wish I had some sort of machine that could track EXACTLY how many calories I consume and burn every day :laugh:

    haha yes, that would be very nice!
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