Weight lifting vs. Body pump class

I'm off to go to my weekly Body Pump class in a wee while and decided to log the calories I will burn, seeing as I'm sitting at the computer already.

I do a one hour class of Body Pump at my gym. I was expecting it burned about 400-500 calories an hour seeing as I leave sweating like a pig! I put an hour of vigorous weightlifting (from the CC exercise list of activities) and it says I only burn 305cals!?

Is this correct? Or does my original estimate sound more reliable? 

(oh, and I checked the Les Mills website and it says 600 cals per hour, although I have a BMI of 18.5 and I guessed it would make my calorie consumption a lot less).

Thanks!

I'm so disappointed. I was really hoping this thread was asking the effectiveness of a weight lifting routine vs Body Pump

Calorie estimates are just that -- estimates.  The best way to get a more accurate estimate of the calories your body burns during any activity is to wear a heart rate monitor programmed for your stats during the activity and see how those numbers compare to what CC says.  I wouldn't put a lot of stock in what appears on the website of the company who is making money from the program -- I would view that information skeptically until proven otherwise.

Spiro -- I've done Body Pump, and frankly, I prefer lifting on my own.  I feel that I get a better workout that way.  While you definitely have fun in a Body Pump class (the group dynamic and music are usually good), I find that if I used as much weight as I need to challenge my muscles, I would either injure myself or be way behind the class as you need to constantly change up the weights in a very short period of time.  The injury worry comes from the fast pace of the workout -- lifting heavy weights and moving quickly really don't mix. 

That said, I do feel there's a place for Body Pump in your workout repitoire; I've gone to classes during active recovery weeks and just used light weights.  Sometimes if motivation is REALLY lacking, I'll go just because the group dynamic has a tendency to perk me up

I do weight lifting at home, but I enter it as circuit training when I put it on here.  The estimated calorie burn for weight lifting isn't high enough.   My heart monitor actually says I burn quite a few calories, of course my heart rate gets up there, and I'm sweating tons and huffing and puffing. 

Try to pick something that reflects the amount of effort you are putting in.  I did 45 minutes of weight training and 30 minutes (2.5 miles) of treadmill last night and my heart monitor said I had burned almost 900 calories total. 

OK, I need some education.  What the heck is "body pump?"  Is it like aerobics with weights?

jfk61, here's a link to the official site

A typical class

Moves

baboo4, I always wear my Polar F11 to BP, and I burn anywhere between 280 and 370 kcal per session, usually around 320. I'm 5'3.5'', 100 lbs, VO2Max (estimated by Polar) 45. Avg heart rate during the class - 70% MHR, max - 90% MHR

edit: activated link

Original Post by paularuck:

Spiro -- I've done Body Pump, and frankly, I prefer lifting on my own.  I feel that I get a better workout that way.  While you definitely have fun in a Body Pump class (the group dynamic and music are usually good), I find that if I used as much weight as I need to challenge my muscles, I would either injure myself or be way behind the class as you need to constantly change up the weights in a very short period of time.  The injury worry comes from the fast pace of the workout -- lifting heavy weights and moving quickly really don't mix. 

 

 We're on the same page. Body Pump is really good if you want to get really good at doing lots of low weight/high rep stuff, which really isn't how to get the most from your weightlifting time.