zumba calories

jaimelynn01
jaimelynn01 Posts: 62
edited September 23 in Fitness and Exercise
the calorie counter in exercise only gives you ballroom/fast dancing as an option to choose. That says ill burn 407 calories in one hour, but the zumba classes advertise up to 900 calories burned in an hour. anyone know the real answer??

Replies

  • sarahnicolexoxo
    sarahnicolexoxo Posts: 230
    You won't know the accurate amount unless you use a HRM.
  • LisaD727
    LisaD727 Posts: 2
    It really depends on your height and weight....some people may burn up to 900 calories but that is on the high end. Your best bet is the "how many calories did I burn?" option on the site. My heart rate monitor gives me basically the same answer as this site does so I consider it pretty reliable. :wink:

    P.S. I LOOOOOOVE Zumba!!!!
  • Andi_Mo
    Andi_Mo Posts: 243
    That 900 calories per hour is what "some" people can burn but I've been taking Zumba for about a year and honestly, it depends on the instructor, music, your height/weight. I am a big girl (5'11 and 204) and I only burned that much at 230. Now I burn about 650-750. Your best bet is to get a heart rate monitor because it is really hard to gage for sure. Good luck and I hope that helps.
  • Still_Sossy
    Still_Sossy Posts: 868 Member
    What is an HRM?
  • Still_Sossy
    Still_Sossy Posts: 868 Member
    Nevermind I figured it out from the posts. Heart Rate Monitor.
  • jbrittain
    jbrittain Posts: 1
    buy a heart rate monitor. everyone burns differently and even in the same class, it will depend on the level of intensity you bring- in addition to the instructor's workout.
  • mishmush21
    mishmush21 Posts: 18 Member
    HRM = Heart Rate Monitor :)
  • dominioniwoman
    dominioniwoman Posts: 19 Member
    I agree the HRM will be the most accurate. For my classes I average about 818 calories in an hour but that is based off my heart rate. I entered ZUmba in as a custom exercise. Based on your heart rate and level of activity in the class you should burn anywhere from 400-900 calories in the hour.

    Let me know if you have any other questions. I am also a Zumba instructor

    THanks
  • dihardcheer86
    dihardcheer86 Posts: 67
    What is an HRM?

    It is a Heart Rate Monitor. Normally sold as a watch, but others can hook to your chest or arm and it keeps track of the calories you burn during your workouts
  • momogogo
    momogogo Posts: 159 Member
    I use the aerobic-hi to calculate mine. but it's not accurate. do you have a hrm? that will really let you know. i can burn about 800 in a 60 minute class depending on the instructor
  • mjphipps
    mjphipps Posts: 11
    I just got my HRM Friday and I'm loving it! I got the Mio Motiva Petite and its great!
  • christimc
    christimc Posts: 3
    i do zumba and i was looking for that option also....i know for a fact that it depends on how much effort you put into the moves...
    i am gonna guess you would add whatever calories you burn on a treadill going 4-5 mph for 60 minutes and then add a little extra...considering you are moving your arms a lot in zumba as welll....you wouldnt want to overestimate though. so do yourself a favor and understimate by just a little. i heard you burn up to 600 calories. i doubt you'd burn 900 in an hour unless you are doing ALL really fast songs with a crap load of foot movements and jumping. i am guessing 500 calories in an hour for sure. :)
  • lucky48
    lucky48 Posts: 65 Member
    I've just recently started using a HRM with my Zumba exercise classes. At first, I was estimating maybe 350 each time but I was blown away with just how much I was burning.

    This past week, I tracked it twice with 2 different instructors. The first was 752 calories and the second was 802. This was timed for 1 hour 11 minutes.

    It just goes to show that Zumba can burn that much but it also depends on individual, the instructor and how much you get your total body into it. People that just tap their feet to the music and the dance moves aren't going to burn as much as those that get their arms and full body into the motion.
  • candlegal
    candlegal Posts: 220 Member
    It all depends on how hard you work and your current weight. The heavier you are the more calories you will burn USUALLY. I've done 30 minutes of Zumba with a HRM and burn about 200 calories. So 900 seems a bit high.
    Heart Rate Monitor = HRM a body bug is kinda the same thing.
  • Sunshin018
    Sunshin018 Posts: 1 Member
    Make sure your heart rate monitor shows calories burned. The really basic ones just display and record your heart rate. I just got one and love it. It proves what jbrittain stated - I burnt ~400 calories the first time and over 600 calories the second time. It certainly inspires me to make the most of every workout I do, including Zumba. I expect to have a lot more of the 600 calorie variety now that I know what effort I have to exert!
  • christimc
    christimc Posts: 3
    i agree with others on here though,everyone burns differently...and it depends on your level of intensity
  • Luvmesumkenny
    Luvmesumkenny Posts: 779 Member
    HI!!!

    Ive been using a site called Myhealthystatus.com You plug in your weight and chose an activity on the list and it will calculate how many calories you burn... I want to buy a HRM and see which is more accurate..

    I can't wait to try ZUMBA!!!
  • cclala
    cclala Posts: 190 Member
    I'm lazy (and broke) right now so an HRM is a bit out of the scope of possibility....anyone in the 5'8" 140lb-ish range use one? I'd be curious to know what I'm burning (though I'm sure it varies from person to person even at the same height and weight.)

    Right now I log it as 450 for 45 minutes, it's a pretty vigorous class though. Hmmm.
  • angiesteele
    angiesteele Posts: 366 Member
    Since I dont have a HRM yet i enter it as aerobics...might not be completly accurate but for now i know it is somewhat close.
  • lucky48
    lucky48 Posts: 65 Member
    It all depends on how hard you work and your current weight. The heavier you are the more calories you will burn USUALLY.

    That's not always true. I weigh 143.5 lbs and I will burn over 800 or at least close to it every time during an hour class.
  • mama_mia3
    mama_mia3 Posts: 66
    I would think entering "Dancing, aerobic, ballet or modern, twist " from the MFP cardio selections that that would come pretty close? For my weight and for 60 minutes it says I'd burn 530, but I don't know. I haven't tried zumba... would some day like to though. My friend does it and loves it.
  • NatalieWinning
    NatalieWinning Posts: 999 Member
    Without a HRM I was using the hi impact aerobics, but after the HRM I found I was burning more, but not what the Zumba adverts claim. I can burn up to "running" amount of calories. I'm 5'2" and 144# right now, and depending on the intensity and the day I will burn 400-700 calories.
  • jaimelynn01
    jaimelynn01 Posts: 62
    WOW thanks for all your info. I recently got a watch that calculates heart rate and pedometer/calories burned etc. Ill try that in my next class and see!
  • ZumbaTriad
    ZumbaTriad Posts: 61 Member
    Based on people that have taken my class and wear a HRM, I've never had anyone burn less than 450. I used to use 500 calories as my basic Zumba burn but just recently started back wearing my BodyBugg and realized it's actually 650-750 per class most days! Woot woot!
  • Nigel99
    Nigel99 Posts: 498 Member
    A HRM is your best bet for getting more accurate calories burned. I found that Your Shape was underestimating my calories burned by nearly 50%, and various other exercise I was doing wasn't all that accurate according to MFP and other online calculations. For best results with your HRM, get one with a chest strap - that will be more accurate than a watch-only option.
  • dragonbug300
    dragonbug300 Posts: 760 Member
    Lots of people here keep saying they enter it as 'high impact' aerobics, but I don't think that's right. 'Low impact' would be more accurate, since the majority of the time at least one foot is on the ground while you're doing Zumba... unless it's some kind of crazy zumba/jump rope hybrid class. :laugh:

    This is according to the Aerobic Fitness Instructors Association definition of high/low impact aerobics. Samba, cha-cha, etc. would all be low impact forms of aerobic activity. Jump rope, jogging in place, jumping jacks, etc. would be examples of high impact.
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I agree with everyone else that you need a HRM to know what YOU burn. Myself I burn 600-700 on average in 1 hour of zumba.
  • justin_time
    justin_time Posts: 38
    the most accurate way is to use a HRM, however for a quick easy to use tool based on metabolic averages using your weight and workout intensity level try http://sites.google.com/site/zumbacaloriesburnt
  • justin_time
    justin_time Posts: 38
    Take a look at http://www.zumbacalories.com enter your weight, workout duration & intensity and it will calculate how many calories you have burned based on average metabolic rates
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