Weight lifting and calories burned: How many calories does lifting weights burn for men?
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Dec 06, 2025 · 13 min read
Most men burn roughly 200 to 600 calories in a 45 minute lifting session depending on body weight, the MET level of the workout (traditional lifting around 3.5 METs vs vigorous circuits around 8 METs), and how dense the session is (rest times and transitions). Compared with a steady cardio session of the same length, ...