Strength training burns more calories than cardio.

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Replies

  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I don't strength train for the calorie burn, I strength train for the strength training.

    Yep. How about dips and pull-ups? Lots of benefit, but not much burn.
    My dip workout is three sets to burn out. If I can 16 reps I increase the weight. I get a great burn. Same with pull ups. Not sure if I understood your meaning about not much burn.

    At the moment I can do three sets of 5 pull-ups. Great exercise, but not a big calorie burner. Muscle burn - for sure!
  • wookiemouse
    wookiemouse Posts: 290 Member
    Regardless of whether it's true or not - it certainly can't hurt. I'll tack on a 15 min HiiT at the end of my strength training sessions 2x a week and see what happens. It'll get my step count up for the day if nothing else. :)
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    you can't use a hrm to gauge calorie burn during strength training AKA anaerobic exercise. But muscle burns more cals at rest so you burn MORE in the long run than doing cardio alone. I lift so I can eat whatever the hell I want and look damn good doing it :bigsmile:

    We already debunked this on page 2 i believe.
    and yet the thread goes on.
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    Totally agree, my trainer also told me today something I've read on the forums here before: High intensity cardio interval training also is more effective for fat burning. Your body just can't adapt to it. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?!? Maybe some stadiums, too!!!:love::love:

    ETA: when your body adapts to a workout, it becomes more efficient and finds ways to conserve energy, thus reducing your caloric burn for the same workout. Keeping your body guessing is the way to go, IMHO.
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    Since I started lifting heavy I am seeing some big changes in my shape. My legs and arms especially. I also took some advice from the forums regarding changing my cardio to after my lifting. Really found this much better as I can lift more but still able to do the same amount of cardio as I was doing before.

    Everything is relative to you and how your body works I guess but this is certainly working for me.

    Now if only I could find some reasonably priced protein bars I would be a happy camper.
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    Everybody knows that 60 minutes of hard running will only burn around 1000 calories while 45 minutes of weights with 5 minutes of HIIT burns over 1,000,000 calories for two days.

    ONLY 1,000,000?

    Slacker.

    ^^^ :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • kerrieberry1
    kerrieberry1 Posts: 4
    I tried strength training with a PT ended up paying for a gym membership I couldn't use as it aggravated old back injuries from 1st of 8 car accidents I was in. Can't lift more than 5lb weights so sticking to bellydance
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    I don't strength train for the calorie burn, I strength train for the strength training.

    That.

    I also don't run for the calorie burn. I run because it's awesome. The calories are an added bonus.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I always get the feeling these threads are nothing more than a couple of guys whipping it out to see who has the bigger ****.

    If you like to run, run. If you like to lift then lift. If you want to become fit do both.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I am more recently getting back into lifting and adding running and swimming into the mix, plus I do a lot of quicker paced walking at work. One thing I remember reading years back when i 1st got into lifting and sorta body building is the more muscle mass you have the more your body is going to burn (calorie wise). Perhaps it's possible that for people with a high mass muscle mass to burn more calories this way then through cardio... or it could be very specific based on the individual. Def worth more looking into though :)

    One thing that tends to obscure the discussion is the question of scale. Technically, the idea that "increased muscle mass burns more calories at rest" is true, but that statement is often used to describe everything from a basic workout class to a body builder or power lifter who has added 20-40 lbs of muscle mass. It's the nonspecific and indiscriminate application of the concept that makes it misleading, not the concept itself.
  • cspence2270
    cspence2270 Posts: 229 Member
    I didn't read any studies or reports or articles on this but I was on a 4 month stand still with my weight loss and my husband suggested I start doing a "warm up" run for 20 minutes on mornings we strength train and i started loosing again and running on my cardio days is also a lot easier. I was amazed at the calorie bun I got from 90 minutes of cardio/strength training compared to when I was just strength training.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I always get the feeling these threads are nothing more than a couple of guys whipping it out to see who has the bigger ****.

    If you like to run, run. If you like to lift then lift. If you want to become fit do both.

    Given the topic, I think this one has gone rather well. Of course we might also have to thank Lyle McDonald, Alan Aragon and Prof Melancon for the relatively high level of discourse as well.

    You do have a point that these discussions too often devolve into meaningless posturing because some people feel the need to assert that one type of training is absolutely superior to all others.
  • cspence2270
    cspence2270 Posts: 229 Member
    I don't strength train for the calorie burn, I strength train for the strength training.

    That.

    I also don't run for the calorie burn. I run because it's awesome. The calories are an added bonus.


    I run so I can EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:blushing:
  • jenniejengin
    jenniejengin Posts: 784 Member
    bump
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Everybody knows that 60 minutes of hard running will only burn around 1000 calories while 45 minutes of weights with 5 minutes of HIIT burns over 1,000,000 calories for two days.

    1,000,000 ???

    af266292-7727-448d-bade-05829823ce33.jpg
  • fitplease
    fitplease Posts: 647 Member
    Ah! This is what I need to hear!
  • MelC2564
    MelC2564 Posts: 182 Member
    Great read!
  • akplanegirl
    akplanegirl Posts: 15 Member
    Any recommendations for a strength training program that I can do at home? I am not able to access a gym currently.
    I understand it needs to be full body like arms, back (those I can figure out)...what I am not sure about is how to do leg training with weights at home. Is that just moves (i.e., squats) with weights in hand and increasing the pounds used?

    ALSO - Would you consider the weight/resistance DVD's in P90X as "strength training"? Would those suffice for s. training a couple times a week?

    Thanks!!
  • Sheilav330
    Sheilav330 Posts: 57
    I do yoga, and strength training i find that these work for me better than just doing an hr of just cardio but i still do cardio just 2 days a week only my body is backwards that way lol but my clothes are fitting much better than they were a month ago which is great for me my arms are getting stronger :)
  • Kmsnomaha
    Kmsnomaha Posts: 167 Member
    Thank you everyone for all this information! I look forward to reading it all from the first post to the last.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    Great info. I like to blend the two together, but I always feel like I burn more fat doing cardio.

    Yes you can burn fat doing cardio DURING your workout while strength training won't make you burn fat during the workout however since our muscles tear out after each session so our body uses up more calories to repair muscles that can turn means burning more fat even as long as 48 hours after your last workout. The big difference is in the post workout burn.
  • bjshields
    bjshields Posts: 677 Member
    I love you, Mr. Incredible!:flowerforyou:
  • Hollie704
    Hollie704 Posts: 59 Member
    Good stuff!
  • Xandralexa
    Xandralexa Posts: 87
    I'm sure everyone's body reacts differently; be it strength or cardio, as well as individual preferences.
    Interesting information nonetheless. Thanks for sharing.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member
    You are also building your metabolism and making it much faster when you are building muscle.
    Well that's if you are building muscle which is practically impossible to do on calorie deficit (there are some exceptions). And in truth a pound of muscle only burns about 6 calories per day.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9688626
    Cardio burns more WHILE you're doing it, if you're pushing yourself... However, CIRCUIT TRAINING really pushes you... I burn about 800 in an hour of circuit training, and I continuously burn and up my motabolism in the process.
    Hate to tell you that unless you're well over 200lbs, that the 800 calories is exaggerated. It's probably more likely in the range of 450 calories, about the same as a very heavy weight lifting session. Understand that when you circuit train, because of short recovery rest times, resistance is not going to be at 85% of one rep max.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
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    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I love how you put your credentials in every forum post and also TWICE in your profile.
  • JeremyM1977
    JeremyM1977 Posts: 25
    A 45-minute strength training session followed by a 10-15 minute cardio workout (65%-75% of MHR) will burn more calories than a 60-minute cardio workout!

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/02/01/what-burns-more-calories-cardio-intervals-or-weight-training/

    I think there's quite a few people viewing this in the wrong sense.
    If you are looking at "now", then cardio is obviously going to have the more immediate result.

    Much like any other goal, it's a marathon and not a sprint.
    Doing strength training is going to build lean muscle, and lean muscle is going to burn more fat over the long term, practically making your body a fat burning machine even during downtime.

    So, in other words, despite what your HRM is saying, this guy isn't too far off.
  • albinogorilla
    albinogorilla Posts: 1,056 Member
    you don't need to burn a lot of calories to lose weight
    you just need to eat less aka....at a deficit

    I don't do cardio because it serves no purpose to me. Being strong and more muscular is far more useful in my life and line of work.

    the site gives you a calorie goal, stay under it = weightloss
    unless you are going over in calories by 1000 you don't need to burn 1000 calories

    if you run because you love it, cool......but instead of running for an hour you could just eat less......

    seems to me people focus too much on burning calories and less on managing diet.........diet is forever.......but at some point our lifting and running days will be over
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I love how you put your credentials in every forum post and also TWICE in your profile.
    How frickin' irritating..............

    Now it's only showing ONCE in my profile:laugh:


    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Nataliaho
    Nataliaho Posts: 878 Member
    I don't strength train for the calorie burn, I strength train for the strength training.

    That.

    I also don't run for the calorie burn. I run because it's awesome. The calories are an added bonus.

    This! I know when I first started training 4 years ago it was all about the weightloss for me. It's just not anymore and hasn't been for a long time. I'm not sure when the switch happened but I am glad it did. For example I spent Tuesday evening doing an olympic lifting session, more than half of which was really technical drills with just a 20kg bar... then a quick 3x3 for snatch and C&J. So I spent an hour for a total of 18 heavy lifts... I can't imagine that I burnt many calories, but I don't care, I felt bad-*kitten*.

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