Because the body requires energy to function, calories are burned during any activity. The more effort required to complete the activity, the more calories will be burned. Giving a massage burns calories as does receiving a massage.
Factors to Consider
To determine the number of calories burned while engaging in any activity, body composition, age, activity intensity and duration and overall health must be considered. Muscles use more energy than fat and giving a more vigorous massage will burn more calories than a slower, superficial massage.
Giving Massage
Calculate the calories burned giving a massage using a calorie counter which considers weight and duration at a minimum. For example, based on mypyramidtracker.gov, a 34 year-old, 160-pound female burns about 289 calories giving a one-hour massage.
Receiving Massage
Bodies burn calories regardless of the activity, even sleeping burns calories. Receiving massage is similar to sleep in that a person is laying down fairly still. According to Fitday.com, sleeping burns about 0.42 calories an hour per pound of body weight for the average person. At this rate, a 160-pound person burns approximately 67 calories per hour of sleep.
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