Calories Burned Running

In terms of calories burned running is one of the most efficient exercises for us. Only cross country skiing uses more energy than running.

Because running is a weight bearing exercise even an easy running pace consumes a lot of energy. Weight bearing exercises like running and walking really pay off in terms of energy usage. The more we can participate in weight bearing exercises the more benefits we will see for our workout time!

Level of Intensity

Work at a level of intensity comfortable for you. When you do this you get all the benefits of running. For instance, a 30 minute run at a moderate pace uses more calories and is more beneficial than a three minute all-out sprint.

That's obvious, I guess, but what's equally important is that you lessen your chances of injury by running at a moderate pace - and you still burn lots of calories! Check this table out:

Exercise Calories Burned

Exercise Approx. Calories per Hour

Running 570

Walking 246

Cross country skiing 635

Indoor Rowing - Concept II 525

Cycling 565

Stretching, yoga 281

Aerobics
422

Golf
387

Tennis
472

Exercise and Calories Burned

Running is something that can be done most of the year, outdoors or even indoors. Cross country skiing is definitely more seasonal, and it takes a special kind of dedication to get out doors and ski even when it's freezing cold! (But don't worry, if you do ski, you'll never feel the cold if you're dressed for the weather...)

Bottom line, my fellow atheletes: running compares very well against other high intensity exercises like Cross Country Skiing, which requires lots of gear, waxes, and trials and errors along the way to developing good ski technique! (Let's face it: wobbling down the ski trails just trying to stay upright doesn't use a lot of energy!)

Calories Burned Running

Cross Training and Calories Burned Running

Don't forget that all aerobic and strength training activities are valuable - not just for the calories burned in a workout, but for their valuable cross training effects.

Use running as your main exercise activity, but don't forget the benefits of cross training!

That's the lowdown on calories burned running! And don't forget...