We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Zumba

lqichick
lqichick Posts: 162 Member
So I have started taking a Zumba class twice a week. Am I really to believe that I burn 800+ calories during that hour?

Replies

  • ejoy77
    ejoy77 Posts: 19 Member
    Well, that depends on a lot of things. How much do you weigh? How intense is the class? How intensely are you doing the moves (i.e., big movements, or just kinda shuffling around)?

    I am 5'4", weigh about 150 lbs. I go to a pretty intense Zumba class once a week, and I tend to go all out when I'm working out (because, honestly, what's the point otherwise?). My HRM usually gives me a calorie burn between 400-450 calories in 60 minutes.
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    I have burned 900 calories in an hour on the treadmill before. If you're really overweight and going at it, it's probable.

    I am 5'2 and 210 lb
  • amfmmama
    amfmmama Posts: 1,420 Member
    go by your heart monitor. Mine is regularly between 7 and 9 hundrend when I do zumba
  • ejoy77
    ejoy77 Posts: 19 Member
    go by your heart monitor. Mine is regularly between 7 and 9 hundrend when I do zumba

    Yes. But make sure you have an accurate heart rate monitor. I had an inexpensive Timex one that gave me wildly inaccurate estimates. I use a Polar now, and it gives much more accurate readings. So an HRM is the best way to estimate, but only if it's accurate.
  • tycho_mx
    tycho_mx Posts: 426 Member
    Honestly? Very unlikely unless you're a very fit, 220+ lb person.

    It takes a lot of work to be able to work sustainably at 750+ cal/hour. MFP's databases are notoriously inflated for their workout estimates.
  • iroze
    iroze Posts: 78 Member
    According to my Polar FT4, I burned about 450. 500 if I killed myself out there on the dance floor or if there were unfamiliar dances that I had to work harder on. I'm 145 lbs, 5'2". Very highly doubt you can burn 800calories.
  • lqichick
    lqichick Posts: 162 Member
    I kinda figured that, (no way could be that many calories), but I thought I'd ask anyhow. Thank's everyone.