What's a good tool for tracking calories burned when strength training?

WoodysGirl

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Now that I'm no longer reffing, I'm going to get back into my strength training routine. I was wondering if there was something that you guys use to track burned calories when working out w/weights.

I was going to get a pedometer, but I think that's only good for cardio exercises.

So any ideas?
 
You can hire bbgun (though he would volunteer) to be your personal tracker/counter....
 
This very much depends on a lot of things.

  • Male vs Female.
  • Current fitness level.
  • Current weight.
  • Exercises done.
  • Weight used.
  • Reps.
  • Down time between reps.
  • Down time between exercises.
  • Total time exercising.

There is no single tool that will give you an accurate calorie burn count.

You can check out this tool. It will give you a general idea of what you would burn doing different types of exercise for a period of time.
 
WoodysGirl;4418359 said:
Now that I'm no longer reffing, I'm going to get back into my strength training routine. I was wondering if there was something that you guys use to track burned calories when working out w/weights.

I was going to get a pedometer, but I think that's only good for cardio exercises.

So any ideas?

My fitnes pal . Com
I've only played with this app but it seems to work for everyone I've known that's used it. Has a lot of cool features and is free!
 
Sam I Am;4418388 said:
This very much depends on a lot of things.

  • Male vs Female.
  • Current fitness level.
  • Current weight.
  • Exercises done.
  • Weight used.
  • Reps.
  • Down time between reps.
  • Down time between exercises.
  • Total time exercising.

There is no single tool that will give you an accurate calorie burn count.

You can check out this tool. It will give you a general idea of what you would burn doing different types of exercise for a period of time.
you posted the same tool as me
 
rkell87;4418380 said:
Thanks

Joe Realist;4418383 said:
You can hire bbgun (though he would volunteer) to be your personal tracker/counter....
No, thanks!

Sam I Am;4418388 said:
This very much depends on a lot of things.
  • Male vs Female.
  • Current fitness level.
  • Current weight.
  • Exercises done.
  • Weight used.
  • Reps.
  • Down time between reps.
  • Down time between exercises.
  • Total time exercising.
There is no single tool that will give you an accurate calorie burn count.

You can check out this tool. It will give you a general idea of what you would burn doing different types of exercise for a period of time.
Thanks again.

bsheeern;4418390 said:
My fitnes pal . Com
I've only played with this app but it seems to work for everyone I've known that's used it. Has a lot of cool features and is free!
I use MFP for tracking my food, but their exercise diary is pretty lacking. Their food database is huge and I've done well w/managing my calorie intake since I signed on. Their exercise diary is not as good, tho.

Anyways, I was thinking something like the pedometer that I can see while I'm working out. Is there not something like that?

Basically, I want to know how many calories I burn after doing 3 sets of 25 leg lifts at 100lbs? Just an example.
 
Just curious why you want to mix the two, why not count calories when doing cardio and focus on strength when doing strength?

I think there are too many variables during pure strength training to be able to focus on them as a means of burning calories.

If you're training for strength, I'd focus on that and disregard the calories outside of my diet. I don't think there's a meter that will accurately measure calorie burn during strength exercise.
 
TheCount;4418408 said:
Just curious why you want to mix the two, why not count calories when doing cardio and focus on strength when doing strength?

I think there are too many variables during pure strength training to be able to focus on them as a means of burning calories.

If you're training for strength, I'd focus on that and disregard the calories outside of my diet. I don't think there's a meter that will accurately measure calorie burn during strength exercise.
Well, I do alot of cardio with my trainer and when I ref. So I can always get a good read on how many calories I burn when doing that...

But when strength training, it's more about toning, because I'm not trying to build mass since I'm still in weight loss mode. I plan to do low weight, high reps and in that capacity, I thought there was a way to see how many calories you burn when doing that.
 
WoodysGirl;4418418 said:
Well, I do alot of cardio with my trainer and when I ref. So I can always get a good read on how many calories I burn when doing that...

But when strength training, it's more about toning, because I'm not trying to build mass since I'm still in weight loss mode. I plan to do low weight, high reps and in that capacity, I thought there was a way to see how many calories you burn when doing that.

Yeah I gotcha, I just can't think of a way you'd be able to accurately keep track without a lot of work on your part and even then it probably wouldn't be all that accurate but if you find something, please share.
 
TheCount;4418449 said:
Yeah I gotcha, I just can't think of a way you'd be able to accurately keep track without a lot of work on your part and even then it probably wouldn't be all that accurate but if you find something, please share.
Well, I just started looking, so if I find something, I'll definitely share. I didn't think it would be this hard, tho. lol
 
rkell87;4418397 said:
you posted the same tool as me

When I first clicked reply, there were no responses. I guess while I was writing mine you posted yours.

So, I was first! ;) :p:
 
You don't burn as many calories when you are strength training (I think you mean body building).

When you train for strength, it's usually lower reps and higher weight. When you train for hypertrophy, it's higher reps and lower weight, but hardly anyone counts calories.

If you want the toned + lean look, you are better off lifting on some days while doing cardio on other days.

Also what you eat will make a big difference. You should look into carb cycling as well.
 
Joe Realist;4418383 said:
You can hire bbgun (though he would volunteer) to be your personal tracker/counter....

Oh, we burn some calories alright.
 
I'm with Count (I think this is what he was getting at) and Jenky... Unless you're doing tons of sets of squats or clean and jerks or something atypical, you aren't going to burn significant calories while lifting. Iit's the increase in your metabolism hours after a weight workout that helps you burn fat, not so much the calories burned during the actual lifting.

Check this thread maybe:
http://forums.lylemcdonald.com/showthread.php?t=13710&page=2
 
WoodysGirl;4418418 said:
Well, I do alot of cardio with my trainer and when I ref. So I can always get a good read on how many calories I burn when doing that...

But when strength training, it's more about toning, because I'm not trying to build mass since I'm still in weight loss mode. I plan to do low weight, high reps and in that capacity, I thought there was a way to see how many calories you burn when doing that.

I've had really good luck with low weights and high rep strength training in the past few months. I figure as many repetitions I do, for as long and without any breaks in between, I'm burning about the same as someone on a cycle. My strategy is to keep something moving at all times, like my calves or shoulder rows in between breaks of lifting. It's about cardio and strength to me. I feel great afterwards too. Good luck on your venture to good health.

:toast:
 
I don't think is possible. Low stress cardio is a lot easier to calculate because it's the relatively same intensity throughout. There's just too many factors in weight training. As long as your heart rate is elevated while you're weightlifting you'll always burn more calories on a minute per minute basis, if that helps at all.
 
gmoney112;4418852 said:
I don't think is possible. Low stress cardio is a lot easier to calculate because it's the relatively same intensity throughout. There's just too many factors in weight training. As long as your heart rate is elevated while you're weightlifting you'll always burn more calories on a minute per minute basis, if that helps at all.

That's why I say don't stop moving. And those little things add up.
 
CowboyMcCoy;4418814 said:
I've had really good luck with low weights and high rep strength training in the past few months. I figure as many repetitions I do, for as long and without any breaks in between, I'm burning about the same as someone on a cycle. My strategy is to keep something moving at all times, like my calves or shoulder rows in between breaks of lifting. It's about cardio and strength to me. I feel great afterwards too. Good luck on your venture to good health.

:toast:
Sounds pretty similar to what I do as far as keeping moving, and I really enjoy it...keeps heart rate up and it keeps me from getting bored lifting because of all the down time.

I like to do abs between lifts or just do 2 different muscle groups at the same time so while one group is resting, the other is working. Like a set of tris followed by a set of lats or something like that. It's not perfect, but it keeps me moving and saves a lot of time.
 

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