Swimming Calorie Calculator

Swimming calorie calculator

Swimming Calorie Calculator: How Many Calories Can You Burn Swimming

Are you preparing for a swimming competition or a triathlon adventure? Maybe you are just curious about how many calories you burn during swimming. Then you've come to the right place!

Our swimming calorie calculator estimates the number of calories burned during swimming sessions based on your weight and workout duration.

In just a few clicks you'll discover how the number of calories burned swimming.

Read on to learn more about our swimming calculator, how to use it, and the role of swimming activities in losing weight.

Let's dive in!

How Does This Calories Burned Swimming Calculator Work?

Our swimming calorie calculator estimates the number of calories you can burn while swimming based on several factors.

Here’s how it works:

Body Weight: Input your weight. This helps calculate calories more accurately.

Swimming Duration: Specify how long you swim.

Let's explore some swimming burn calculation examples:

Example 1

Using an average calorie burn rate of 600 calories per hour for a person weighing 70 kilograms, the calculation would be:

Calories Burned = (Calories per hour per kilogram) × (Body Weight in kilograms) × (Swimming Duration in hours)

Calories Burned = (600 cal/hr/kg) × (70 kg) × (1 hr)

Calories Burned = 42,000 calories

So, a person weighing 70 kilograms would burn approximately 42,000 calories by swimming for 1 hour.

Example 2

Using the same average calorie burn rate of 600 calories per hour for a person weighing 80 kilograms, the calculation would be:

Calories Burned = (600 cal/hr/kg) × (80 kg) × (0.75 hr)

Calories Burned = 36,000 calories

So, a person weighing 80 kilograms would burn approximately 36,000 calories by swimming for 45 minutes.

These examples show how many calories burn swimming exercises based on body weight and swimming duration.

Remember that these are approximate results and may vary based on individual factors, one of them MET. Let's explore it further.

Triathlon swimming

What is the (MET), and How Does it Factor Into Calories Burned by Swimming?

The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) is a measure that relates the metabolic rate during exercise to the metabolic rate at rest. It helps estimate how many calories are burned during various physical activities.

Here’s how it works:

One MET represents 1 kcal/kg/hour of energy expenditure or 3.5 ml/kg/min of oxygen uptake.

Let’s say Susan, a woman weighing 70 kg (~154 lbs), walks her dog for exactly 30 minutes. According to the MET table, walking the dog corresponds to an energy expenditure of 3.0 METs.

To calculate the calories burned:

Convert the time to hours: 30 minutes = 0.5 hours.

Calories burned = 70 kg × 3 kcal/kg/hr × 0.5 hr = 105 kcal.

Remember that this formula provides estimates and doesn’t consider individual characteristics like age and sex.

Common MET Values for Activities:

Light Intensity Activities:

Moderate Intensity Activities:

Vigorous Intensity Activities:

Remember, METs provide a useful way to measure the intensity of different activities and their impact on calorie expenditure.

Swimming Strokes And Muscle Workouts

Different swimming strokes engage various muscle groups.

For instance, freestyle swimming activity primarily targets shoulder, arm, and back muscles, while breaststroke involves more leg muscles.

Backstroke engages similar muscles as freestyle but also works the core and back muscles.

Let’s dive into the swimming strokes and the muscles they engage.

Each stroke targets different muscle groups, contributing to the overall strength and fitness of swimmers.

Butterfly Stroke

Butterflies have impressive upper body strength.

Butterfly requires the fullest whole-body muscle engagement among the four strokes.

Despite completing less stroke yardage, butterfliers’ high-intensity training promotes toned muscles throughout their bodies.

Swimming style

Backstroke

Backstrokers focus on their firm pecs, thighs, and glutes.

Breaststroke

Breaststrokers dominate in lower body strength.

Freestyle (Front Crawl)

Freestyle engages multiple muscle groups.

Wrapping up

Our swimming calorie calculator offers a convenient way to estimate calorie burn during swimming sessions, considering factors like body weight and duration.

Simply input these details to quickly assess the calories you're likely to expend while swimming.

Overall, swimming emerges as an effective and versatile exercise for burning calories, building muscle, and improving cardiovascular health.

Whether training for a competition or seeking a low-impact workout option, swimming is a valuable fitness activity with numerous benefits for individuals of all ages and fitness levels.

Frequently asked questions

How many calories does an average person burn from swimming for an hour?

On average, a person burns between 400 to 700 calories per hour of swimming.

This calorie expenditure can vary based on factors such as the individual's weight, swimming stroke, intensity, and overall swimming technique.

More vigorous strokes and higher-intensity swimming will generally result in a higher calorie burn.

Breaststroke Vs. Backstroke: Which One Burns More Calories?

Breaststroke tends to burn slightly more calories than backstroke.

Breaststroke requires more effort from the legs and engages additional muscle groups compared to backstroke.

The frog-like kick and simultaneous arm movements in breaststroke contribute to its higher calorie burn compared to the more relaxed and streamlined backstroke motion.

Is swimming a good way to lose weight?

Yes, swimming is a great way to lose weight and improve overall fitness.

It provides a full-body workout that burns calories, increases cardiovascular endurance, and builds muscle strength without putting excessive stress on the joints.

Swimming regularly can help achieve weight loss goals by creating a calorie deficit, improving metabolism, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, swimming can be enjoyable and sustainable for people of all ages and fitness levels, making it an effective long-term weight loss solution.