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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: An Examination of the Differences Between Two Methods of Estimating Energy Expenditure in Resistance Training Activities
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: An Examination of the Differences Between Two Methods of Estimating Energy Expenditure in Resistance Training Activities
- American Council on Exercise: Caloric Cost of Physical Activity
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How Many Calories Does a Pushup Burn?
Estimates of exactly how many calories a single push-up burns vary somewhat, from about 0.29 calories each to 0.36 calories per push-up, based on figures from Forbes and the American Council on Exercise, respectively. But a 2014 study from researchers at Arizona State University shows that old methods of measuring energy expenditure may have underestimated the calorie burn from strength-training exercises. The ASU researchers also report energy expenditure in terms of METs, which yield a more accurate figure than a straight calorie burn estimate because they allow you to take the exerciser's weight into account.
ASU Study
In a 2014 Arizona State study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, researchers used two methods to calculate energy expenditure during four strength-training exercises, including push-ups. The conventional method measured oxygen consumption during exercise, while the less-conventional second method gauged oxygen consumed during recovery. Based on their findings, they determined that oxygen consumption during recovery is a more accurate gauge of calories burned. Using the new method, they measured the energy expenditure of push-ups at 6.91 metabolic equivalents, or METS.
- In a 2014 Arizona State study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, researchers used two methods to calculate energy expenditure during four strength-training exercises, including push-ups.
- Based on their findings, they determined that oxygen consumption during recovery is a more accurate gauge of calories burned.
From METS to Calories
How to Calculate Body Fat Percentage for a Woman
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One MET equals the amount of energy your body uses while at rest. To convert METS to calories burned, first estimate your daily basal metabolic rate by multiplying your weight in pounds by 10 for women, or by 11 for men. Divide the result by 24 to get your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, per hour. Multiply the result by 6.91 METS to get your calories burned per hour doing push-ups. That number is about 432 for a 150-pound woman. Divide by 60 to get 7.2 calories per minute, and divide the number of pushups you can do in a minute -- 15, for the purposes of this example -- to get a result of 0.48 calories burned per push-up.
- One MET equals the amount of energy your body uses while at rest.
- Multiply the result by 6.91 METS to get your calories burned per hour doing push-ups.
Related Articles
References
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: An Examination of the Differences Between Two Methods of Estimating Energy Expenditure in Resistance Training Activities
- BrianMac: METS
- American Council on Exercise: Caloric Cost of Physical Activity
- Forbes: Here Are Some 100-Calorie Workouts for Your Work Day
- Hills AP, Mokhtar N, Byrne NM. Assessment of physical activity and energy expenditure: an overview of objective measures. Front Nutr. 2014;1:5. doi:10.3389/fnut.2014.00005
- Bushman B PhD. Complete Guide to Fitness and Health 2nd Edition. American College of Sports Medicine. Human Kinetics. 2017.
- The Compendium of Physical Trackings Guide. Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina.
- Del coso J, Hamouti N, Ortega JF, Mora-rodriguez R. Aerobic fitness determines whole-body fat oxidation rate during exercise in the heat. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2010;35(6):741-8. doi:10.1139/H10-068
- Broussard JL, Ehrmann DA, Van cauter E, Tasali E, Brady MJ. Impaired insulin signaling in human adipocytes after experimental sleep restriction: a randomized, crossover study. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(8):549-57. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-8-201210160-00005
- McColl P. 5 things to know about metabolic equivalents. American Council on Exercise. 2017.
- McArdle WD, Katch FI, Katch VL. Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
Writer Bio
Lisa Maloney is a travel and outdoors writer based in Anchorage, Alaska. She's written four outdoors and travel guidebooks, including the award-winning "Moon Alaska," and regularly contributes to local and national publications. She also has a background in personal training, with more than 6,000 hours of hands-on experience.