Gym & Strength · Calorie burn
🏋️Calories burned weight lifting
A 155 lb person burns about 185 calories doing weight lifting for 30 minutes — roughly 369 calories per hour.
Calories burned by weight & time
| Body weight | 15 min | 30 min | 45 min | 60 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 lb | 74 | 149 | 223 | 298 |
| 155 lb | 92 | 185 | 277 | 369 |
| 185 lb | 110 | 220 | 330 | 441 |
| 215 lb | 128 | 256 | 384 | 512 |
MET value: 5. Estimates use the standard MET formula and will vary with intensity, fitness and terrain.
Frequently asked
How many calories does weight lifting burn?
Weight Lifting burns roughly 185 calories in 30 minutes (about 369 per hour) for a 155 lb person. Heavier bodies and higher intensity burn more.
How is calorie burn for weight lifting calculated?
We use the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) method: calories per minute = MET × 3.5 × body weight in kg ÷ 200. Weight Lifting has a MET value of about 5. This is the same approach used by the Compendium of Physical Activities.
Does weight lifting burn enough to lose weight?
Exercise helps, but weight loss is driven mostly by total energy balance. Weight Lifting contributes 185–369 calories per session — useful, but a small change in what you eat usually moves the needle faster. Tracking both sides is the point.
More gym & strength activities
Both sides of the equation.
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