Cardio

faithoverfailure
faithoverfailure Posts: 14 Member
edited November 17 in Getting Started
How many calories should you burn doing cardio? Or is it more about staying active on a consistent basis.

Replies

  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    There's no set number. To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories in a day than your body uses. Adding cardio will cause your body to use more calories in a day.

    To lose weight, you need to eat in a calorie deficit. Exercise for health.
  • cthoma19
    cthoma19 Posts: 10 Member
    I do cardio and strength training. On my cardio days I usually burn a little over 400 calories.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    faithoverfailure wrote: »
    How many calories should you burn doing cardio?

    Unless you're training for a very long endurance event (like a 100+ mile bike ride or an ultra-marathon) this isn't a helpful way to look at things.

    If you go canoeing on a sunny day, take in great scenery with friends, and have a good time, but you "only" burn 300 calories, you shouldn't think the day was a failure.

    The point of exercise is fun; calories are just the icing on the cake.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited April 2017
    I don't do my cardio with some specific calorie burn in mind...I do my cardio to stay active and maintain my cardiovascular fitness. I primarily cycle, and it just depends on the day...a 30 minute sprint interval session I might burn around 300...a 45 minute sweet spot session will usually get me around 400...a 40 mile endurance ride will get me in the neighborhood of 1,500...different training bouts train my body in different ways.

    I do my cardio for cardiovascular fitness...it has the added benefit of some additional energy expenditure.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    faithoverfailure wrote: »
    How many calories should you burn doing cardio? Or is it more about staying active on a consistent basis.

    Depends upon your height, weight, age, gender, exertion level and more.

    Don't do cardio "just for the calories." Do cardio (or simply be more active) because it's good for your health. You should always be concerned about health and not just concerned only when you are dieting.

    Cardiovascular exercise can increase your stamina and is good for your heart & lungs. But strength training is also good for you. The calorie burn isn't impressive......but the health benefits are.
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