How Many Calories Does Fast Walking Burn?

How Many Calories Does Fast Walking Burn?
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Walking can be an effective exercise to burn calories if you walk at a brisk enough pace. How many calories you burn when you walk depends on several factors.

Determining Factors

Your current body size plays a role in how many calories you burn. Those who are heavier require more energy to propel themselves forward than lighter people. How fast you're walking also makes a significant impact on how many calories you burn. The incline of your walking surface affects the intensity of your workout and affects the calorie numbers.

Considerations

Walking outside is better for burning calories than walking on a treadmill in terms of calorie burning. When you walk on a treadmill, the belt moves underneath your feet. When you walk outside, your leg muscles must drive off the ground to push you forward, resulting in more calories burned.

Calories Typically Burned

According to the American Council on Exercise, a 150-lb. person walking at a brisk pace of 3 1/2 miles per hour would burn about 259 calories per hour of walking. That same person walking at a fast pace of 5 mph would burn about 612 calories in an hour. The online calorie calculator can help determine your personal estimated calories burned based on your weight.

References

Article reviewed by Steve Diamond Last updated on: Nov 3, 2010

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