A man is doing strength training exercises.

Image Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images Because both weightlifting and cardiovascular exercise burn calories, confusion arises over which is more effective in burning calories. The intensity of workouts and the exerciser’s body weight are two factors that play roles in determining rates of energy use.

  Advertisement
 
Weightlifting Calories

According to Harvard Medical School, a 155-pound person performing a weight lifting workout burns 112 calories in 30 minutes. However, a 240-pound exerciser expends 133 calories in 30 minutes of doing the same workout.

  Video of the Day
  
Cardiovascular Exercise

A 155-pound person who jogs at 5 mph for 30 minutes burns 298 calories, while the 185-pound exerciser uses 355 calories in half an hour. By session, cardiovascular workouts clearly burn more calories than weightlifting exercise.

  Advertisement
 
Post-Exercise Burn

“While it is evident that cardiovascular exercise burns more calories than lifting weights, the amount of calories burned after weight training is higher,” reports the CTER Eportfolio System website. Metabolism increases after cardiovascular exercise only lasts 30 to 60 minutes, whereas post weight training metabolism increases up to 48 hours.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
  
  references
  
      Harvard Medical School: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights
    
      CTER Eportfolio System: Strength/Resistance Training
       




  references
  
      Harvard Medical School: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights
    
      CTER Eportfolio System: Strength/Resistance Training
    




A man is doing strength training exercises.

Image Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Image Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images

      Harvard Medical School: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights
    
      CTER Eportfolio System: Strength/Resistance Training