Calories Burned Climbing

It is a well-known fact that exercising burns calories, which is why you can lose weight, by working out on a regular basis. The number of calories you burn exercising, depends on the type of exercise you engage in, the duration for which you exercise, the intensity of the workout as well as your body weight and metabolism. In case you often wonder about the calories burned exercising, you are not alone. People usually like to know exactly about calories burnt in different exercises, so that they can maximize the effectiveness of their workout routine. Climbing is an excellent form of exercise, which can help you burn a lot of calories in an hour.

Given below are the approximate figures of calories burned climbing:

Burning Calories Climbing Rock

Trekking and rock climbing are very common activities, usually enjoyed by those people who are relatively young, fit and physically active. The average number calories burnt in rock climbing for a person who weighs 150 pounds could be around 460 to 490 calories per hour. However, you could increase the amount of calories burned rock climbing by carrying some load with you. You could burn anywhere between 500 and 530 calories in an hour, if you climb hills while carrying a load of 10 to 20 pounds. Thus the calories burned climbing hills can be immense if you take proper precautions.

Calories Burned During Mountain Climbing

While considering the calories burnt climbing a stone mountain, there are several different aspects that you need to keep in mind. First of all, the intensity level has a major influence on the number of calories you burn. If you walk up the side of the mountain for an hour continuously, you can burn around 500 calories an hour. This can be increased to around 540 calories an hour, if you carry a backpack filled with a first aid kit, drinking water, some snacks as well as some advanced climbing gear. Based on the intensity and the speed at which you climb, you can burn as many as 700 calories in an hour. However, descending the rock is not as strenuous; if you descend the mountain using a rappel, you will probably burn up to 500 calories an hour.

Calories Burnt While Climbing Steps/Stairs

Stair-stepper machines are some of the most popular workout options at gyms and fitness centers. This could be because the number of calories burned climbing stairs is fairly high, as compared to many other exercises. However, you do not need to go to the gym, just to burn calories by climbing. Several people, who do not get the time to go to the gym, or workout at home, make sure that they exercise during the day, by climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator. If you too are into this habit, haven’t you ever wondered about the calories burned climbing a flight of stairs?

Stair climbing even without a stepper is a great calorie-burner, especially if you manage to carry on the activity on for around 15 minutes or so. An average person weighing around 150 pounds can easily burn anywhere between 250 calories and 300 calories by choosing to climb up the stairs for half an hour continuously. One flight of steps usually comprises of 16 steps and at a moderate climbing pace, a person who weighs 150 pounds can burn around 3 to 4 calories per flight. Therefore, the approximate number of calories burnt while climbing 5 flights of stairs is between 15 and 20. The average number of calories burned climbing 10 flights of stairs is around 30 to 40. Do bear in mind that the level of exertion your body goes through during any exercise has a major influence on the number of calories burned. Therefore, you could increase the number of calories you burn while climbing steps, if you carry some weight, or take the stairs at a run or a trot. Another exercise that could help increase the calories burnt while climbing steps is taking two or more stairs at a time.

Stair climbing is one of the most economical and convenient ways of working out, yet several people refrain from it, mainly because they get tired after a couple of flights. Just like in the case of any other exercise, it is best to start climbing gradually. For the first week or so, climb no more than 4 or 5 flights of stairs and then every week, increase a flight or two, until you can spend around 30 minutes climbing, without too much difficulty.

Before you engage in exercises like stair climbing or mountain climbing, it is absolutely essential for you to undergo a detailed physical exam and get an approval from your health care provider. This would be necessary in case age is a problem or if you have some kind of medical condition that can cause you immense discomfort. If you happen to notice severe knee pain or if you face breathing difficulties while climbing, it is best to stop the exercise immediately, until you consult your doctor.

Submitted on September 20, 2011