Swimming and snowshoeing both provide good workouts that burn plenty of calories. In general, snowshoeing edges swimming out when it comes to hourly calorie burn, according to Harvard School of Public Health. However, estimates for how many calories you burn doing each type of activity depend on your weight, exercise intensity and other factors.
Swimming Estimate
In general, you’ll burn an estimated 360 calories an hour swimming if you weigh 125 pounds. That goes up to 446 calories an hour if you weigh 155 pounds and 532 calories per hour if you weigh 185 pounds, according to Harvard. Keep in mind that these are estimated numbers, so your actual calorie burn may differ. Your age, sex and fitness level, for example, can influence your calorie burn, according to Indiana University.
Snowshoeing Estimate
When you are snowshoeing, general estimates show that you’ll burn more calories than swimming. You’ll use an estimated 480 calories in an hour if you weigh 125 pounds, 596 calories an hour if you weigh 155 pounds and 710 calories per hour if you weigh 185 pounds, according to Harvard.
Swimming Considerations
The swim stroke you use may influence how many calories you burn. Harvard pinpoints calories burned for the backstroke at 480 per hour if you weigh 125 pounds, 596 per hour if you weigh 155 pounds and 710 per hour if you weigh 186 pounds. Doing the breaststroke or swimming laps at a general pace burns 600 calories an hour if you weigh 125 pounds, 744 per hour if you weigh 155 pounds and 888 per hour if you weigh 186 pounds.
Snowshoe Considerations
The terrain is a factor in calorie burn when you are snowshoeing. In fact, you’ll burn more calories traveling 2.4 mph on a flat, snow-packed trail than going 3 mph on a flat, snow-free surface, according to “Snowshoeing Colorado” author Claire Walter. You can more than double your calorie burn from an average 420 calories per hour at a 2.4-mph pace to 890 calories per hour at a racing speed of 7.5 mph. Powder snow, hilly terrain and wearing a pack that adds weight also up your calorie burn when snowshoeing, Walter notes.
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