Does weight training help you lose weight? See how many calories you burn in a workout

Contrary to what many people think, weight training is not just for those who want to gain muscle mass. Weight training can also be a great ally in the weight loss process — although the calorie expenditure during the session is not as high as that of aerobic exercises.

One hour of weight training can burn between 200 and 400 calories, depending on factors such as the intensity of the workout, rest time between sets, type of exercise and the body weight of the person doing it. People with more muscle mass tend to burn more calories even at rest, which makes weight training a smart long-term strategy.

In addition to the expenditure during the activity, there is the so-called EPOC effect (acronym in English for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption), which makes the body continue to burn calories for hours after the end of the workout — especially in more intense workouts or with large muscle groups.

Another advantage is that the gain in lean mass caused by weight training accelerates the basal metabolism, making the body need more energy even when it is at rest.

Although the calorie expenditure is not the highest among the modalities, the metabolic effects of weight training make it essential for those looking to lose fat in a sustainable way. The ideal is to combine it with a balanced diet and aerobic exercise.