Do you burn more calories if it's hot? (my AC is out)

laura97z · April 2014

My house is currently 80 degrees due to the inefficiency of my air conditioning unit. Anyways, no complaining here. I just did this workout ---->http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Bodyweight-Cardio-Calorie-Blaster-30-Minute-Cardio-Workout-at-Home/i7/. It was 30 mins of cardio and it says it burns between 180-280 calories (or something like that). My question- did I burn more calories due to the fact that my house is extremely hot? Also, if any of you have had any experience with Fitness Blender, any comments? Is it worth keeping up?

michybeans · April 2014

Hi new friend! I'm no doctor but I don't think the outside temperature has much to do with calorie burn, sorry. Just make sure your heart rate gets up there and you're sweating and that's a good sign!

I haven't used that site, but I also love workoutlabs.com and skimble.com for home workouts. As well as my new fave, which is pilates based, blogilates.com. Her workouts look so easy but man they are killer!

DavPul · April 2014

You burn more when it's cold but it's not enough to a significant difference in the calories you record or your overall weight loss.

jwdieter · April 2014

You'll burn more calories in cold. Sweating doesn't mean you're burning more calories.

laura97z · April 2014

Well, bummer! I was hoping this heat would have an upside! I will take a look at those sites

34blast · April 2014

Actually if its colder you burn more calories. Your body has to heat itself. If its hot, you might lose some water weight by sweating.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/calories-cold-weather_n_1096331.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/cold-air-may-help-you-lose-weight-by-making-your-body-burn-calories-to-keep-warm/2014/01/27/c1e75170-8462-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/does-turning-down-the-heat-really-burn-more-calories-197312

Timshel_ · April 2014

Well, bummer! I was hoping this heat would have an upside!

Nope. You just get to be hot while working out.

ayalowich · April 2014

I dont' agree with this at all. I burn a lot more calories per mile running in the summer than I do any other season. Simple reason is my HR's are a lot higher than if i am running in 40-60 degree weather when I barely sweat.

3dogsrunning · April 2014

I dont' agree with this at all. I burn a lot more calories per mile running in the summer than I do any other season. Simple reason is my HR's are a lot higher than if i am running in 40-60 degree weather when I barely sweat.

Yes, your HR is higher due to the heat. Your HRM reads it as a higher intensity and gives you a higher calorie burn for it. You are not, however, burning more calories.
There is not a direct relationship between HR and calories burned. There is a relationship between HR and VO2 max that allows for an estimation. There are plenty of circumstances where HR is elevated and extra calories are not being burned, this is one of them.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/773451-is-my-hrm-giving-me-incorrect-calorie-burn

"Numerous confounding factors affect the HR response to PA and therefore the HR vs. VO2 relationship.
These include high ambient temperature or humidity, time of day, emotional state/stress, fatigue, hydration status, food, caffeine and nicotine intake, previous PA, illness, body position, mode of exercise and use of limbs. "

The study that is from (page 36)
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/305/02whole.pdf?sequence=9

ETA - PA is Physical Activity.

DavPul · April 2014

I dont' agree with this at all. I burn a lot more calories per mile running in the summer than I do any other season. Simple reason is my HR's are a lot higher than if i am running in 40-60 degree weather when I barely sweat.

you don't have to agree in order to be wrong. basing your calculation on HR and amount of sweat have you barking up the wrong tree

Do you burn more calories if it's hot? (my AC is out)

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