How many calories do you burn lifting weights, really?
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Dec 06, 2025 · 12 min read
Harvard’s exercise tables estimate that 30 minutes of weight training burns about 112 calories for a 155‑pound man and about 133 calories for a 185‑pound man (roughly 223–266 calories in 30 minutes if the lifting is vigorous). That’s less per minute than running, but the payoff is that consistent strength training helps preserve muscle and ...