Vinyasa Yoga Burn

TheVirgoddess
TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just did my first class today. I googled, and fitness sites list 290-600 calories burned an hour. The rough average of those sites is around 530.

I feel like that's really high - but what do I know? It was challenging for sure.

I have it logged right now as yoga, burning 188 calories. Should I stick with that to be safe, or should I try to find an average?

I'd rather be under than over, but accurate. And if I'm burning that much, I think that eating part of my exercise calories is important (I generally never do, because I don't do stuff this intense).

I weigh 166 right now, if that matters.

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • comfortablynumb46
    comfortablynumb46 Posts: 8
    188.sounds safe. I rather be under as well. Less calories to have to eat back!
  • Marianna93637
    Marianna93637 Posts: 230 Member
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories. I also take Zumba couple of times a week, MFP suggests 700, and I believe it, especially on some days. At least 500, so I can't see yoga burning that much.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories. I also take Zumba couple of times a week, MFP suggests 700, and I believe it, especially on some days. At least 500, so I can't see yoga burning that much.

    .........you do know that "yoga" is a very, very general term and one type of yoga is completely and totally different from another, right?

    Vinaysa is very, very intense - non stop movement for an hour at a time, no breaks (at least with my instructor). A new pose with every single inhale and each exhale.

    So yes, there absolutely is "a way" that yoga can burn that much.

    http://livehealthy.chron.com/calories-burned-doing-vinyasa-1805.html
    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/calories-burned-for-yoga-is-it-enough-for-weight-loss.html
    http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2012/03/wonder-how-many-calories-are-burned-in-different-yoga-classes-we-have-answers/2/
    http://gyazo.com/6c859b2bb2add966796f7f270938adc2

    I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, and wanted to talk to people who've had experience with Vinyasa and how they log it because this particular type of yoga is very new to me. I've been doing yoga every day for almost a year now.
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    TheVirgoddess wrote: »
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories. I also take Zumba couple of times a week, MFP suggests 700, and I believe it, especially on some days. At least 500, so I can't see yoga burning that much.

    .........you do know that "yoga" is a very, very general term and one type of yoga is completely and totally different from another, right?

    Vinaysa is very, very intense - non stop movement for an hour at a time, no breaks (at least with my instructor). A new pose with every single inhale and each exhale.

    So yes, there absolutely is "a way" that yoga can burn that much.

    http://livehealthy.chron.com/calories-burned-doing-vinyasa-1805.html
    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/calories-burned-for-yoga-is-it-enough-for-weight-loss.html
    http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2012/03/wonder-how-many-calories-are-burned-in-different-yoga-classes-we-have-answers/2/
    http://gyazo.com/6c859b2bb2add966796f7f270938adc2

    I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, and wanted to talk to people who've had experience with Vinyasa and how they log it because this particular type of yoga is very new to me. I've been doing yoga every day for almost a year now.

    agreed. I take Hot Power Vinyasa and I sweat buckets, my heart rate is elevated for more than half of the class and I match breath to movement. It may not be as intense for everyone, but it certainly is for me.

    Also I get a yoga high, and that's probably why I really do it.

  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    edited January 2015
    Vinyasa is more intense, but not so much that it would have a significant difference in calorie burn - it a more strength than cardio, so a lesser burn and a bigger afterburn....

    Not even close to 600, 180 is a lot safer... I have done it with a heart rate monitor, and it has never been more than 180.....
  • Alicia_Monique
    Alicia_Monique Posts: 338 Member
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories.


    Oh my! You really don't know much about yoga!

    I use my HRM during my 60 minute classes and I generally burn about 350-450 calories depending upon how hard I'm pushing myself. Vinyasa classes are generally much faster paced (it's the yoga I do) and as long as you're doing the flows and not stopping to take too many rest periods your heart rate IS up and you DO sweat! During 90 minute hot power vinyasa I can burn like 800-900.

    Yoga is great for the body and soul. Hope you enjoy it! Namaste!
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    also, mine logs at about a bit under 400 for an hour, but I weigh more than you do, and for an hour class, I only count 50 minutes. I also sometimes do back-to-back Power & All Levels in the Hot Room. I've been doing it almost daily for 4 months.

    I started with Bikram Yoga which is about equal in intensity, but I feel like with Bikram you have more opportunity to "check out" because the order of the poses is exactly the same every time. It's hotter in Bikram, though, so there's that.

    I moved to Vinyasa because there's a studio that's much closer to my house, so I can bike there. The Bikram studio was a half hour bike ride, the class an hour and a half, warm up and cool down made the entire experience a 3 hour commitment that I just couldn't do more than once or twice a week. This way I can yoga 5-7 days a week, even if I had to walk there, which I could (if I wanted or if I had the time, neither of which I do).

    Also, I'd like to say that I think you know how hard you work. Some days in yoga we don't work as hard; others we work harder than ever. This is how yoga rolls.

    So maybe on a day I know I slacked, I'll only count 30 minutes, even though I was there for 60. I don't recall how I figured out the calorie burn, but I did some web searchin and it ended up being just about 400 for an hour.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    edited January 2015
    How do you feel though? Are you hungry? I'd eat back only if I was hungry. Also I would do the average number :)
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    I think 300-350 is a good average that I'm comfortable with.

    There's absolutely nothing easy about my Vinyasa class. We hold the poses for a very brief time and continually move. It's more like really beautiful dancing than what most people think of when they think yoga.

    I was SUPER hungry tonight, even after a great dinner, and that's what made me question my original logging and start googling!

    Thanks for the input, all!
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    edited January 2015
    I guess another good way to figure it out (for OP) is to find some other activities that log at about 166 for the same amount of time (I'm assuming an hour) Chopping wood for a 166lb person at 50 minutes is almost 400. Did your Vinyasa feel as vigorous as chopping wood? :)

    Low Impact Aerobics comes in at 314 for a 166lb person at 50min. And that's Low Impact. So, I think you can safely raise the burn. To be really sure, though, you should use a heart rate monitor for one class. And if you do, let us know!
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,659 Member
    That's one of the frustrating things about MFP. It just has a calorie count for one type of yoga. I used to use Livestrong, and it calculates hatha yoga (which is the gentle kind) at 137 calories an hour and "yoga" at 290. I'd say 290 might be a fair burn for a vinyasa style. I work at that type of yoga at least as hard as I do at strength training, and I think I'd burn at least 200 in an hour of strength training.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    It wasn't quite a vigorous as chopping wood, that's for sure!

    I don't have a HRM, unfortunately. If low impact comes out to 314, I think I'll be logging 300/hour for the Vinyasa. Just to be on the safe side.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    rosebette wrote: »
    That's one of the frustrating things about MFP. It just has a calorie count for one type of yoga. I used to use Livestrong, and it calculates hatha yoga (which is the gentle kind) at 137 calories an hour and "yoga" at 290. I'd say 290 might be a fair burn for a vinyasa style. I work at that type of yoga at least as hard as I do at strength training, and I think I'd burn at least 200 in an hour of strength training.

    Livestrong says 554 for an hour, at 140 pounds!

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/297884-calories-burned-during-vinyasa-flow-yoga/
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,659 Member
    That seems like a lot to me. It's what I burn at zumba and kickboxing (I'm around 120 lbs.), and I work way harder in those classes. I'd say it burns maybe half that. I guess the only accurate way to figure would be to use a HRM.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    That's what most sites say though - so that's why I'm confused.

    I guess it varies so much from instructor to instructor that I just have to find a number I'm comfortable with.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    TheVirgoddess wrote: »
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories. I also take Zumba couple of times a week, MFP suggests 700, and I believe it, especially on some days. At least 500, so I can't see yoga burning that much.

    .........you do know that "yoga" is a very, very general term and one type of yoga is completely and totally different from another, right?

    Vinaysa is very, very intense - non stop movement for an hour at a time, no breaks (at least with my instructor). A new pose with every single inhale and each exhale.

    So yes, there absolutely is "a way" that yoga can burn that much.

    http://livehealthy.chron.com/calories-burned-doing-vinyasa-1805.html
    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/calories-burned-for-yoga-is-it-enough-for-weight-loss.html
    http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2012/03/wonder-how-many-calories-are-burned-in-different-yoga-classes-we-have-answers/2/
    http://gyazo.com/6c859b2bb2add966796f7f270938adc2

    I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, and wanted to talk to people who've had experience with Vinyasa and how they log it because this particular type of yoga is very new to me. I've been doing yoga every day for almost a year now.

    The problem with your "sources" is that they are just all repeating the same crappy, unreliable "data". These sites are not designed to provide real, accurate data. They are designed to attract web traffic any way they can. It's not always easy for the lay reader to tell the difference.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    Azdak wrote: »
    TheVirgoddess wrote: »
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories. I also take Zumba couple of times a week, MFP suggests 700, and I believe it, especially on some days. At least 500, so I can't see yoga burning that much.

    .........you do know that "yoga" is a very, very general term and one type of yoga is completely and totally different from another, right?

    Vinaysa is very, very intense - non stop movement for an hour at a time, no breaks (at least with my instructor). A new pose with every single inhale and each exhale.

    So yes, there absolutely is "a way" that yoga can burn that much.

    http://livehealthy.chron.com/calories-burned-doing-vinyasa-1805.html
    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/calories-burned-for-yoga-is-it-enough-for-weight-loss.html
    http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2012/03/wonder-how-many-calories-are-burned-in-different-yoga-classes-we-have-answers/2/
    http://gyazo.com/6c859b2bb2add966796f7f270938adc2

    I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, and wanted to talk to people who've had experience with Vinyasa and how they log it because this particular type of yoga is very new to me. I've been doing yoga every day for almost a year now.

    The problem with your "sources" is that they are just all repeating the same crappy, unreliable "data". These sites are not designed to provide real, accurate data. They are designed to attract web traffic any way they can. It's not always easy for the lay reader to tell the difference.

    I already know this - which is why I posted this thread, and asked for help in the first place.

    I'm not stupid, I never thought I burned 500-600 calories. But I know I burned more than "yoga". So I'm trying to find someone to help me figure it out. Which I'm now fairly sure no one can actually do, as it varies a lot from instructor to instructor.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Alicia_Monique wrote: »
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories.


    Oh my! You really don't know much about yoga!

    I use my HRM during my 60 minute classes and I generally burn about 350-450 calories depending upon how hard I'm pushing myself. Vinyasa classes are generally much faster paced (it's the yoga I do) and as long as you're doing the flows and not stopping to take too many rest periods your heart rate IS up and you DO sweat! During 90 minute hot power vinyasa I can burn like 800-900.

    Yoga is great for the body and soul. Hope you enjoy it! Namaste!

    Oh my! You really don't know much about exercise physiology or HRMs or calorie burning.

    HRMs are useless for estimating calories burned during yoga, and the higher temperatures experienced during "hot" yoga may increase heart rate, but they do not increase calorie burn.

    Yoga can still be great for body and soul. It's just not a big calorie burner.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    edited January 2015
    Alicia_Monique wrote: »
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories.


    Oh my! You really don't know much about yoga!

    I use my HRM during my 60 minute classes and I generally burn about 350-450 calories depending upon how hard I'm pushing myself. Vinyasa classes are generally much faster paced (it's the yoga I do) and as long as you're doing the flows and not stopping to take too many rest periods your heart rate IS up and you DO sweat! During 90 minute hot power vinyasa I can burn like 800-900.

    Yoga is great for the body and soul. Hope you enjoy it! Namaste!

    Oh my, you really have more attitude than knowledge, don't you?
    Sweating doesn't burn calories, and a HRM is as usefull for yoga as it is for weight training.... Which is not much at all....
    And congratulations for burning the same amout of calories other people burn when running 12kms, you must be great with yoga......
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    I've decided on 250 an hour. Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it.
  • CoffeeNBooze
    CoffeeNBooze Posts: 966 Member
    I was always confused about this too. I never felt like I burned a lot at Vinyasa, but I don't care because I really enjoy it. I have a hard time believing I burned 500+. Haven't worn my HRM to a class yet!
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    I think 250 sounds like a reasonable and possibly underestimated number. I'd rather be under than over, but at the end of the day, only you would really know.

    There are a lot of people here who think yoga is all hatha, but it's not. I don't really care what other people think in general, and it doesn't matter to me if people care about what I think. Vinyasa is active. Yoga is breathing. Heat is a way to allow the muscles to stretch a little deeper, but one can stretch muscles and gain aerobic activity at the same time. Runners do it all the time.

    Anyway, I'm glad you settled on a number that feels right for you. I'd monitor it for a while and see if it needs adjustment in either direction in maybe 6 or 8 weeks. Best of luck & happy breathing.
  • runner475
    runner475 Posts: 1,236 Member
    edited January 2015
    Marianna93637 wrote: »
    I do yoga once a week and I log what MFP suggests, 180 or something like that. There's no way that type of yoga (or any) burns 500 calories. I also take Zumba couple of times a week, MFP suggests 700, and I believe it, especially on some days. At least 500, so I can't see yoga burning that much.

    That's why I won't reply to this user. She'll 1st ask a question and then when people respond she'll argue and debate and try to prove them wrong. If she knows why ask.

    On my list of not to waste time on. OP, don't waste your time debating over my post. You won't get any response.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    kayemme wrote: »
    I think 250 sounds like a reasonable and possibly underestimated number. I'd rather be under than over, but at the end of the day, only you would really know.

    There are a lot of people here who think yoga is all hatha, but it's not. I don't really care what other people think in general, and it doesn't matter to me if people care about what I think. Vinyasa is active. Yoga is breathing. Heat is a way to allow the muscles to stretch a little deeper, but one can stretch muscles and gain aerobic activity at the same time. Runners do it all the time.

    Anyway, I'm glad you settled on a number that feels right for you. I'd monitor it for a while and see if it needs adjustment in either direction in maybe 6 or 8 weeks. Best of luck & happy breathing.

    You're right on all accounts - I appreciate your input and will for sure adjust as necessary.
  • cyberdragonfly
    cyberdragonfly Posts: 2 Member
    I have just started calories counting and I was really surprised to find just one listing on here for yoga, each style is so different. I do a Vinyasa class but its not a full flow class, still I think I probably use more then 180 calories in an hour but the Iyengar class I used to go to would probably have burned less than 180.

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