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calories burned running vs walking

System
System Posts: 1,920 MFP Staff
edited November 20 in Debate Club
This discussion was created from replies split from: Weight lifting doesn't burn fat.
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Replies

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    I'm definitely not an expert but I think the difference is that with running there are times where both of your feet are off the ground as opposed to always having one foot on the ground like walking so it takes more energy.
  • accidentalpancake
    accidentalpancake Posts: 484 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No.
  • accidentalpancake
    accidentalpancake Posts: 484 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    The difference between running and walking IS speed.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    They are actually quite accurate if you adjust for what you would have burned anyway during the time.

    Any good walking or running formula uses your weight and speed (well, time and distance), and I don't think form is going to make that much difference.

    Hills or not will matter, and wind or not may matter some, although less so than with a bike.

    I'm conservative and round down a little for running (because of the what you would have burned anyway factor), but it's one thing where I consistently ate back all logged calories when I was logging exercise separately.
  • accidentalpancake
    accidentalpancake Posts: 484 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    The difference between running and walking IS speed.

    Nope. The difference between running and walking is solely the fact that walking means always having one foot on the ground, while running will have at at times both feet off the ground.

    OED:

    Move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    The difference between running and walking IS speed.

    Nope. The difference between running and walking is solely the fact that walking means always having one foot on the ground, while running will have at at times both feet off the ground.

    OED:

    Move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.

    The latter part is what's definitive. It's absolutely possible to run slower than your fastest walking speed. The difference is not speed but the moment of suspension. In walking, both feet are on the ground at the same time for part of the stride. In running, the first foot leaves the ground before the second foot lands (even if only fractionally). So you're actually entirely off the ground, however briefly.

    ETA note that the reason the OED wording is slightly vague is it's giving a generalised definition for all animals. Animals with more than two feet have any number of different running gaits. We only have one - one foot at a time with a moment of suspension between.

    The first part is there for a reason.

    You don't get to pick and choose what's relevant. I'm not looking for a debate where there's a clear answer and understanding. Running is primarily differentiated from walking by speed.

    Do you run?
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    The difference between running and walking IS speed.

    Nope. The difference between running and walking is solely the fact that walking means always having one foot on the ground, while running will have at at times both feet off the ground.

    OED:

    Move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.

    The latter part is what's definitive. It's absolutely possible to run slower than your fastest walking speed. The difference is not speed but the moment of suspension. In walking, both feet are on the ground at the same time for part of the stride. In running, the first foot leaves the ground before the second foot lands (even if only fractionally). So you're actually entirely off the ground, however briefly.

    ETA note that the reason the OED wording is slightly vague is it's giving a generalised definition for all animals. Animals with more than two feet have any number of different running gaits. We only have one - one foot at a time with a moment of suspension between.

    The first part is there for a reason.

    You don't get to pick and choose what's relevant. I'm not looking for a debate where there's a clear answer and understanding. Running is primarily differentiated from walking by speed.

    I have to disagree, because I jogged a half marathon so slowly that speed walkers were passing me. The definition of walking is one foot firmly in contact on the ground. Running is both feet can't lift from the ground.

    I think you might want to rethink your wording on the last sentence ;) I know what you mean, but your words didn't quite convey it.
  • MommaGem2017
    MommaGem2017 Posts: 405 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No running burns quite a bit more than walking.

    I was interested in this, as I also thought the burn was the same (there used to be an old healthy living advert here that said so). After briefly looking at it, it seems the difference isn't so much between running or walking, but about speed. The faster you walk, the more you burn per mile. Same with running. But at say 12min/mile, it seems like running and walking burn about the same.

    As I say, just a quick Google, but interesting nonetheless. I have to say, it seems to me that any generalised calorie burn for running and walking could be quite far out, as it'll vary massively with weight, fitness and training. An experienced walker or runner with good form will burn much less per mile than someone who is overweight, unfit and clumping along any old how.

    The difference between running and walking IS speed.

    Nope. The difference between running and walking is solely the fact that walking means always having one foot on the ground, while running will have at at times both feet off the ground.

    OED:

    Move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.

    The latter part is what's definitive. It's absolutely possible to run slower than your fastest walking speed. The difference is not speed but the moment of suspension. In walking, both feet are on the ground at the same time for part of the stride. In running, the first foot leaves the ground before the second foot lands (even if only fractionally). So you're actually entirely off the ground, however briefly.

    ETA note that the reason the OED wording is slightly vague is it's giving a generalised definition for all animals. Animals with more than two feet have any number of different running gaits. We only have one - one foot at a time with a moment of suspension between.

    The first part is there for a reason.

    You don't get to pick and choose what's relevant. I'm not looking for a debate where there's a clear answer and understanding. Running is primarily differentiated from walking by speed.

    I have to disagree, because I jogged a half marathon so slowly that speed walkers were passing me. The definition of walking is one foot firmly in contact on the ground. Running is both feet can't lift from the ground.

    I think you might want to rethink your wording on the last sentence ;) I know what you mean, but your words didn't quite convey it.

    Ha Ha! Yes, dang typos.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    https://www.buzzfeed.com/ktlincoln/the-spasmic-glory-of-race-walking-in-gifs?utm_term=.jeG9P49j69#.fkdREORr9R

    Here's some folks walking faster than most everyone involved in this discussion runs.
  • HardcoreP0rk
    HardcoreP0rk Posts: 936 Member
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    More than twice? No. No it does not.

    https://www.runnersworld.com/peak-performance/running-v-walking-how-many-calories-will-you-burn

    Not per distance. Maybe per minute.
  • HardcoreP0rk
    HardcoreP0rk Posts: 936 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No, running involves jumping from foot to foot with every step and walking does not. Running requires about twice as much energy per mile because it's more physical work.

    Per minute, yes. Per mile, no. It's a bigger calorie burn but it is not a 2x burn.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No, running involves jumping from foot to foot with every step and walking does not. Running requires about twice as much energy per mile because it's more physical work.

    Per minute, yes. Per mile, no. It's a bigger calorie burn but it is not a 2x burn.

    And it's pace dependent. Per the article already referenced.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    scarlett_k wrote: »
    yirara wrote: »
    Are you eating your exercise calories back? Fitbit doesn't work for many people. Hey, it gave me the same calories for a 14km run as for a 14km walk! And the running was already too high by about 350kcal! Running burns more than twice the calories as normal walking. Thus please be careful if you're eating your exercise calories back.

    You expend the same amount of calories whether you walk or run the same distance, so that isn't wrong, although the calories may be inaccurate.

    No, running involves jumping from foot to foot with every step and walking does not. Running requires about twice as much energy per mile because it's more physical work.

    Per minute, yes. Per mile, no. It's a bigger calorie burn but it is not a 2x burn.

    The NET calorie burn, which is what we concerned with (and what we count in MFP tracking), is more than twice as high per mile. The updated article doesn't include the net calorie formulas, but you can find them in the original: https://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning

    Walking: 0.3 x miles x weight in lbs
    Running: 0.63 x miles x weight in lbs

    I've been using the above formula for running calorie burns for mileage up to 60 miles per week, and it's been pretty spot on based on my long term tracking and weight.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member
    From what I got schooled on by a physics professor, on average a person burns about 50 more calories running a mile, than walking it. Doesn't seem that significant unless we're doing 3-4 miles or more. But running DOES burn more calories than walking for the same distance.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    From what I got schooled on by a physics professor, on average a person burns about 50 more calories running a mile, than walking it. Doesn't seem that significant unless we're doing 3-4 miles or more. But running DOES burn more calories than walking for the same distance.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    My running and walking pace are close to each other because I'm old and have arthritis and have no goals to run fast so I've never done speedwork.

    Anyway... what you've stated here is about right for me, based on scale performance and oddly enough, my Fitbit (I did have to fiddle slightly with stride length to get it to match scale performance).
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    https://www.buzzfeed.com/ktlincoln/the-spasmic-glory-of-race-walking-in-gifs?utm_term=.jeG9P49j69#.fkdREORr9R

    Here's some folks walking faster than most everyone involved in this discussion runs.

    Quoting this to point out that the video states that race-walking rules require one foot on the ground at all times. Any amount of time with both feet off is considered running.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    mph323 wrote: »
    https://www.buzzfeed.com/ktlincoln/the-spasmic-glory-of-race-walking-in-gifs?utm_term=.jeG9P49j69#.fkdREORr9R

    Here's some folks walking faster than most everyone involved in this discussion runs.

    Quoting this to point out that the video states that race-walking rules require one foot on the ground at all times. Any amount of time with both feet off is considered running.

    And I'm going to quote this to make the point again.
  • katnadreau
    katnadreau Posts: 149 Member
    I only have my chest strap HR monitor, and no math equations or websites to back me up, but when I walk my 3+ mile route I burn about 335 (give or take a few), the days I did Run/walk intervals I burned closer to 435 (again, give or take a few).
  • Cbean08
    Cbean08 Posts: 1,092 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    From what I got schooled on by a physics professor, on average a person burns about 50 more calories running a mile, than walking it. Doesn't seem that significant unless we're doing 3-4 miles or more. But running DOES burn more calories than walking for the same distance.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Re the bolded type- What if I run 1 mile in 10 minutes around a track. Let's say I burned 100 calories. What if I walked the same distance in 35 minutes while walking around Disneyland. I'd like to think that I'd burn more than 100 calories if I walked for 35 minutes, no matter how slow it was.

    I don't think it is as distance dependent and it is time dependent. 10 minutes of running will burn more calories than 10 minutes of walking, no matter the location. But distance isn't as reliable as it depends on the location, and any other factors that might impact time.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    @Cbean08

    Walking a mile in 35 minutes at Disneyland is probably 20 minutes of walking and 15 minutes of standing still.

    The best way to estimate calories for things like walking and running outside a lab is by work done, which is mass over distance, and elevation change.
This discussion has been closed.