When you talk about burning calories, many people immediately think of cardio—running, cycling, rowing. But here’s the thing: weightlifting does burn calories, and the effects go beyond just the session itself. More importantly, if you’re training seriously—whether lifting for strength, aesthetics, or general fitness—having high quality gear like what you’ll find at SBD Ireland can help you train longer, harder, and smarter.
How Much Calorie Burn Are We Talking About?
Research shows that the number of calories burned during a weightlifting session depends heavily on factors like body weight, intensity, and exercise choice. For instance:
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A typical 30‑minute weightlifting session might burn around 110 calories, depending on your size and how hard you’re working. Medical News Today+2Strength Log+2
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One hour of moderate‑to‑vigorous resistance training may burn in the region of 180–660 calories, again depending on intensity and the movements used. hers+1
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Although cardio often burns more calories in the moment, weightlifting offers a key advantage: it can increase your resting metabolic rate by building muscle mass. Mayo Clinic+1
So yes—weightlifting absolutely burns calories. But the bigger value often lies in what it does afterward: enhanced metabolism, improved muscle mass, and better body composition.
Why Weightlifting Matters for Calorie Burn
Here’s how lifting weights helps you burn more calories, both during and after your workouts:
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Muscle = higher metabolism: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat. More lean muscle = higher calorie burn. UK College of Medicine+1
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Afterburn effect (EPOC): Intense lifting causes your body to keep working metabolically after the set is done, repairing muscle and restoring energy stores. ATHLEAN-X
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Large compound lifts = higher demand: Moves like squats, deadlifts, bench press engage many muscle groups and therefore use more energy. Health+1
Gear and Support Matter: How SBD Products Fit In
If you’re lifting hard and want the full benefits—better performance, fewer injuries, sustained training—then it pays to invest in quality equipment from SBD Ireland. A few items to highlight:
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The SBD Belt 10mm gives you core and spinal support during heavy lifts, helping you maintain form so you can push harder and for longer.
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The SBD Weightlifting Knee Sleeves provide compression and stability for your knees, letting you train compound lower‑body lifts (which burn big calories) with confidence.
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The SBD Weightlifting Costume (Men’s) offers the right apparel fit and freedom of movement during major lifts, so nothing distracts from your effort.
When you use high‑quality gear, you’re more likely to train with better technique, push heavier weights, reduce downtime through injury, and thereby increase the overall calorie burn (and muscle gain) from your sessions.
Training Smart: Tips for Maximising Calorie Burn With Lifting
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Focus on compound movements (squat, deadlift, bench, rows) because they use more muscle mass and energy.
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Maintain intensity—use heavier weights, shorter rest intervals (where safe), and good form.
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Train consistently. Building muscle and metabolism is a long‑term game.
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Use supportive gear (belt, sleeves, proper footwear) so form doesn’t break down as you fatigue.
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Don’t forget nutrition and recovery—no gear or workout can substitute for poor diet or sleep.
Final Thoughts
Does weightlifting burn calories? Yes—it absolutely does. But perhaps the bigger story is how it changes your body’s calorie dynamics over time: more muscle, better metabolism, more potential for fat loss and lean gains.
And to make that training count, you’ll want reliable equipment every time you hit the gym. That’s where SBD Ireland shines: top‑quality gear across apparel, belts, sleeves—everything you need to train hard, lift heavy, and keep going.
Explore the full SBD Ireland collection and set yourself up for better performance too.