Does Lifting Weights Burn More Calories Than Running?

Running and lifting weights are two common physical activities. Running develops your cardiovascular system and burns a significant number of calories. Lifting weights develops muscular strength and endurance, but isn't as effective at burning calories.

Running

Running is the most effective calorie burning activity, according to MayoClinic.com. A 160 lb. person will burn about 986 for every hour when running at 8 miles per hour.

Lifting Weights

Weight training workouts do not burn as many calories as running. According to MayoClinic.com, a 160 lb. person will burn about 219 calories per hour of weight training.

Considerations

Although each session of lifting weights does not burn more calories than each running workouts, the lean muscle that you gain with consistent weight training can make long term calorie burning impacts. The more muscle you have, the higher your resting metabolism will be, meaning you will burn more calories at all times, even when you're asleep.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Exercise for weight loss
• American Council on Exercise: Trimming Off the Fat