Calories Burned During Workout: Calculator & Estimates
Find out how many calories burned during workout by exercise type, body weight, and intensity. MET-based estimates plus a full exercise comparison table.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories do I burn during a workout?
It depends on exercise type, body weight, and intensity. A 70 kg (154 lb) person burns roughly 343 calories running at 6 mph for 30 minutes, or about 122 calories doing moderate-intensity strength training for 30 minutes. Use the MET formula — Calories = MET × weight (kg) × hours — to estimate any activity.
What workout burns the most calories per hour?
Running at a fast pace burns the most calories per hour for most people — up to 826 kcal/hour for a 70 kg person running at 8 mph. HIIT produces the highest burn per minute during a session, while vigorous swimming and cycling also rank near the top.
Do you burn calories after a workout?
Yes, through the Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) effect. Your body continues burning extra calories for up to 24–48 hours after intense exercise while it recovers. Research estimates EPOC adds 6–15% to total exercise calorie burn.
How many calories should I burn per workout to lose weight?
A general target is 300–500 calories per session, 4–5 times per week, for a total of 1,500–2,000 weekly exercise calories. Combined with a moderate dietary reduction, this creates a meaningful weekly deficit for sustainable fat loss.
How accurate are fitness tracker calorie counts?
Studies show wearable fitness trackers overestimate high-intensity exercise calorie burn by 20–90%. They perform better during walking and low-intensity activity. Use them as relative benchmarks, not precise totals.