Nothing that’s so fun could possibly be good for you, right? Think again! Zumba is the answer to having fun and losing weight.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your New Year’s weight loss resolution without letting the monotony set in, Zumba is the way to go. But just how many calories can you burn? That depends on a few factors, but the average is between 500 to 1,000 calories per hour of Zumba. That might seem like a long time, but it’s not when you consider just how much fun you’ll have during those 60 minutes. But why such a vague number?
Weight loss factors
Calculating weight loss based on an activity isn’t as hard and fast as some people make it seem. One big factor in calories burned is the weight of the person who is doing the exercising. Ever notice how the contestants on The Biggest Loser drop the most pounds at the very beginning of the show? There are plenty of factors involved there but the most obvious one is that the more you weigh, the more energy it takes to do a workout. The 200-pound body exerts a lot more effort during a Zumba workout than a 100-pound body. That’s also why as you lose weight you’ll find you need to increase the number of workouts you’re doing.
Intensity
Even when factoring in your weight, you’re still not necessarily getting the most accurate results. Why? Just like with spiciness or painting classes, there are different levels of intensity. If a moderately healthy 30-year-old inadvertently signed up for the SilverSneakers Zumba class (which is geared toward seniors), they’re probably not doing as an intense a workout as that of a younger, more advanced class. Not sure how intense your workout is? The faster and bigger your moves, the more calories you burn.
Just give me the numbers!
We found this handy-dandy calculator tailored directly to Zumba calories burned and pulled a few numbers for you, just to give you an idea. All of these calorie counts are based on a mid-level workout, meaning you could still chat with a buddy during the workout. If you’re really breathless and sweating it out, you could lose up to another 100 additional calories, depending on your weight.
- 100 pounds (30 minutes) — 179
- 100 pounds (60 minutes) — 357
- 130 pounds (30 minutes) — 232
- 130 pounds (60 minutes) — 464
- 150 pounds (30 minutes) — 268
- 150 pounds (60 minutes) — 536
- 180 pounds (30 minutes) — 321
- 180 pounds (60 minutes) — 643
- 210 pounds (30 minutes) — 375
- 210 pounds (60 minutes) — 750
- 250 pounds (30 minutes) — 447
- 250 pounds (60 minutes) — 893
More about Zumba
30-Minute mini Zumba routine at home
How to stick to your workout routine
Zumba moves that make you feel like Beyoncé
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