Calories Burned During Cardio Classes

Calories Burned During Cardio Classes
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The amount of calories you burn during a cardio class varies. Your height, weight and gender affect the amount of calories you burn. But the most crucial factor in your calorie burn is the amount of intensity at which you are working. The harder you work, the more calories you can scorch. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Cycling

Indoor cycling classes blast calories because of the high intensity of the class. Classes often use interval training to increase the amount of calories burned. For example, during class you may sprint for 30 seconds followed by one minute at a moderate speed. The resistance of a stationary bike also increases your calorie burn because resistance places a greater demand on your body, forcing you to burn more calories. The average person burns 475 calories in 45 minutes of group indoor cycling.

Kickboxing

Kickboxing is cardio training that increases cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance. According to "Glamour" Magazine, kickboxing burns calories 762 calories in an hour for a person weighing 160 pounds. However, all kickboxing classes are created differently. Some classes may use weighted punching bags, and others may use more lower-body movements, making it difficult to make a blanket estimate on the calories burned.

Zumba

Zumba is a full-body workout that can have a high calorie burn. This class uses Latin style dance mixed with aerobic moves to increase your heart rate. Zumba also uses interval training, which burns more calories than traditional aerobic exercise, according to the American Council on Exercise. For example, you may dance at a slower pace for a song, then the next song moves much quicker. However, if you are new to class, your calorie burn may not be as high until you become more comfortable with the dance moves. The Buddy Slim website suggests that a 154-pound person can burn 551 calories in an hour of Zumba.

Low-Impact Cardio

Low-impact cardio classes keep your heart rate at a consistent speed and do not incorporate jumping or bouncing movements. These types of classes burn approximately 365 calories an hour for a person weighing 160 pounds. Low-impact classes are easy on the joints and are a good choice for people who are new to fitness or who have joint health concerns.

References

Article reviewed by Alison Gaynor Last updated on: Apr 29, 2012

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