How many calories you burn during exercise depends on a number of factors. One is the type of exercise you choose. Group exercise classes come in all types and intensities, so an hour of Pilates will definitively not burn the same as one hour of step aerobics. The other big factor is weight. The more you weigh, the more calories you’ll burn doing the same activity. For example, a 155 lb. person will burn 422 calories in an hour of aerobics, while a 130 lb. person will burn 354 calories.
Low-Intensity Classes
Low-intensity classes are those aerobic classes that concentrate on steady activity. They usually don’t have bursts of intense activity but instead aim to maintain the same heart rate throughout the class. Low-intensity classes usually have less effect on joints and bones. They’re a good choice for people with health problems that need to take it easy. Low-impact aerobics burns an average of 352 calories per hour, while a dancing class can burn up to 422 calories.
High-Intensity Classes
High-impact aerobics can burn up to 500 calories an hour, according to Nutristrategy.com. Indoor cycling, on the other hand, can burn up to 500 calories in 30 minutes. In high-intensity classes, the amount of calories can vary greatly depending on how much effort you put into the workout. For example, Nutristrategy.com estimates you can burn anywhere from 211 and 739 calories an hour using a stationary bike, depending on the intensity of the workout. Kickboxing is another high burner, with 350 to 450 calories burned during a standard 55-minute class, according to Shape magazine.
Non-Aerobic Classes
Yoga, Pilates and strength-training classes might not be your idea of high-calorie burning choices, but depending on the intensity used, they can burn lots of calories. According to an article in The Guardian, 30 minutes of Pilates will burn about 140 calories. The calorie burn comes primarily from the repetition of moves, which increases muscle burn and strength intensity, even though the cardio workout doesn’t feel as intense. Depending on what type of yoga you choose, you can also burn lots of calories. Thirty minutes of power yoga will burn up to 300 calories.
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