Pushing strollers while walking/running question

deekris
deekris Posts: 26 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello all! I notice much more effort walking when I walk pushing my 3yr old. Does anyone know if more calories burned doing this? How about carrying a backpack while walking? In help would be great!

Replies

  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    There is an entry in the cardio exercises for walking with a weighted backpack. (A certain weight is specified.) You probably do burn more calories with the stroller, but I'm not sure how many.

    On an unrelated note, I tend to push my bundle buggy one-handed. Now that I've started strength training, I find it interesting that the triceps on my left arm (dominant hand) can handle a 'kickback' exercise much better than my right. You'll probably notice something similar if you're pushing the stroller with one hand only. (I know I do more with my left arm overall than with my right, but pushing that buggy was the only normal physical activity that required some effort on my part before I started exercising.)
  • antennachick
    antennachick Posts: 464 Member
    I just count it as regular walking or running...and the extra burn is just my plus lol There use to be an option on mfp for walking while pushing stroller
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    antennachick wrote: »
    I just count it as regular walking or running...and the extra burn is just my plus lol There use to be an option on mfp for walking while pushing stroller

    With all the discussion of MFP over estimating calorie burn, this does seem to be a good option. I'd just count it as steps and eat back most of the counted calorie burn.
  • gerla_k
    gerla_k Posts: 495 Member
    I run with the stroller, but I count it as a regular run using my Fitbit. I am pretty sure it's burning a little more calories to push a stroller with one hand and run.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    You would burn more, but it would be difficult to pin point how much...just log it as regular walking and anything above that is just a bonus...it's not going to be considerably more.
  • deekris
    deekris Posts: 26 Member
    Yesterday we walked so long up and down hills and such. I agree with eating back some of the calories. I think I actually workout so I can eat!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Most strollers are pretty efficient once they get going. I doubt the difference in energy expenditure could even be calculated if you wanted.
  • greypilgrimess
    greypilgrimess Posts: 353 Member
    edited July 2017
    Funny to stumble across this, I looked this up today as a stroller runner. I don't know how different the calorie burn is for walking, but for running this study found that the energy used varies from an additional 5-8% depending on the method of pushing. Check out the link for more details, and for a stroller calorie calculator!

    https://www.insidescience.org/news/running-baby-researchers-calculate-extra-effort-needed-push-stroller

    Of course this doesn't take into account all the extra stopping and starting you do with a stroller, or hills, or trails compared to paved roads. Either way I wouldn't log it, just thought it was nice to know.
  • curlsintherack
    curlsintherack Posts: 465 Member
    I run a relatively hilly route with my 2 year old in the stroller and let her pick the dirrection to go when we come to a crossroad she almost always picks the uphill section. she is a tough coach. I Since I've taken these runs with a heart rate monitor on I have found the calorie burn to be about the same.
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