How Many Calories are Burned Per Minute During Different Physical Activities?

Exercise is one of the fundamentals of weight loss and general health maintenance. At the same time, calories are crucial to living a healthy life, as they mix with oxygen to create the energy the body needs in order to carry out normal activities like breathing and maintaining hormone levels, as well as physically strenuous ones like running and jumping. Whether you wish to lose weight, maintain your current weight, or simply adopt a healthier lifestyle, engaging in aerobic and strength training activities will help you burn calories and provide your body with much-needed energy to keep on going. These activities, ranging from handball to snow shoveling, will keep your body active and burning calories:

Click to view the full-size infographic:

Burning calories is essentially a process of converting energy, and it offers profound benefits for well-being and overall health. When we exercise and engage in physical activities, our bodies consume more energy, leading to increased calorie burn which helps keep the body weight in check and promote a lean physique. In conjunction with a balanced diet, it forms the cornerstone of weight loss and management strategies. Further, it promotes heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. 

When we burn calories, we're also maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, combating the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Beyond the physical, burning calories also supports mental health. A robust exercise regimen that keeps the calories burning stimulates the release of endorphins, known as the 'happy hormones'. This contributes to improved mood, increased energy levels, better sleep, and overall heightened sense of well-being. In essence, burning calories is a key Ambassador to the embassy of a healthy lifestyle.

Here are the top calorie-burning gym activities in 30-minute segments for those weighing 125 pounds, 155 pounds, and 185 pounds: 

Of course, getting into a gym isn’t the only way to burn calories. Sports are a great way to get one’s body moving and foster a healthy lifestyle. These training and sports activities allow one to activate different muscle groups and engage in different levels of strenuous physical activity that will be beneficial for everyone involved. 

Sports are fun, but what if one doesn’t have the time or equipment necessary to play? Fortunately, there are several fairly common outdoor chores that also burn calories. 

If you aren’t feeling outdoorsy or lack the energy to exercise, never fear: many of the things one does in everyday and home life can burn calories as well. When you put time and effort into household and other normal daily activities, you can also burn calories, as shown by the list below:

Learn about the author: Ben Thompson