How Many Calories Are Burned During An Elliptical Trainer Workout?

The elliptical trainer is a piece of stationary cardiovascular equipment that allows you to complete aerobic workouts no matter the time of day or weather. Riding the elliptical trainer combines the movements involved in bike riding and running. Because the elliptical pedals are propelled by your legs, which are the largest muscles in your body, the elliptical trainer is effective at burning calories. The number of calories you burn depends on different factors.

Factors

There are varying factors that impact the number of calories you burn during your elliptical trainer workout, including duration of your exercise session and current body weight. Larger people burn more calories than those who weigh less when exercising for the same duration and at the same intensity. Longer workouts on the elliptical trainer will result in more calories burned.

Average Calories

According to Health Status, a 150-pound person burns about 386 calories during a 30-minute elliptical trainer workout. A person who weighs 100 pounds will burn fewer calories in 30 minutes because of her body weight. She will burn about 258 calories in 30 minutes. A person who weighs 200 pounds, however, will burn about 516 calories in the same 30-minute period.

Importance

The calories you burn during your elliptical trainer workouts contribute to the overall number of calories you burn, which has an impact on your ability to lose body fat or maintain a healthy body composition. To lose a single pound, you must burn 3,500 more calories than you consume. This is a deficit that needs to be created over time at a rate of 1,750 to 3,500 calories per week, according to the American Council on Exercise.

Implications

If your goal is to lose body fat with your elliptical trainer workouts, the American Council on Exercise recommends that you exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. To lose 1 pound per week, which is done by creating a 3,500 weekly caloric deficit, you need to burn 500 calories per day on the elliptical trainer. Your nutritional habits will have a direct effect on your weight-loss success. For your elliptical trainer workouts to be effective for weight loss, you need to consume an appropriate number of calories.