1. What is the Calories Burned Formula?

The Calories Burned formula estimates the number of calories expended during physical activity using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) value, body weight, and duration of activity. This calculation helps individuals track their energy expenditure for fitness and weight management purposes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard calories burned equation:

Where:

• \( MET \) — Metabolic Equivalent of Task (activity intensity factor)
• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( Time \) — Duration of activity in hours

Explanation: The MET value represents the energy cost of physical activities. One MET is defined as the energy expenditure while sitting at rest. Higher MET values indicate more intense activities that burn more calories per unit of time.

3. Importance of Calories Burned Calculation

Details: Understanding calories burned during exercise is essential for weight management, designing fitness programs, tracking progress, and creating effective workout routines. It helps individuals balance energy intake and expenditure for optimal health outcomes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms, select the appropriate MET value for your activity, and input the duration in hours. All values must be positive numbers. Common MET values range from 1.0 (resting) to 8.0+ (vigorous activities).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are MET values and where can I find them?
A: MET values are standardized measures of activity intensity. The Compendium of Physical Activities provides comprehensive MET values for various exercises and daily activities.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a good estimate for most people, but individual factors like fitness level, body composition, and exercise efficiency can affect actual calories burned.

Q3: Should I use kilograms or pounds for weight?
A: The formula requires weight in kilograms. If you know your weight in pounds, divide by 2.205 to convert to kilograms.

Q4: Can I use this for weight loss planning?
A: Yes, this calculator helps estimate exercise energy expenditure, which is useful for creating calorie deficit plans for weight loss.

Q5: What are common MET values for different activities?
A: Walking (3-4 MET), running (8-12 MET), cycling (4-10 MET), swimming (6-10 MET), weight training (3-6 MET). Values vary based on intensity.