How Many Calories Does Kayaking Burn? Factors And Example Calculations

Kayaking is not only a popular outdoor activity and an enjoyable way to explore the beauty of nature, but it’s also a fantastic full-body workout. Paddling on the water helps you to burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and build muscle strength, all while enjoying a peaceful and invigorating environment. But how many calories can you actually burn while kayaking? 

The answer varies depending on several factors, such as your weight, the intensity of your paddling, and the type of kayaking you’re engaging in. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the specifics and provide you with an overview of the calorie-burning potential of kayaking.

Average Calories Burned Kayaking

While it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number of calories burned while kayaking due to the various factors involved, we can provide an average estimate for a better understanding. On average, a person weighing 70 kg (154 lbs) can burn around 175 calories per hour during leisurely kayaking, 280 calories per hour during moderate kayaking, and 350 calories per hour during vigorous kayaking. It’s important to remember that these are general estimates and individual factors such as body weight, paddling intensity, and type of kayaking will impact the actual number of calories burned during your kayaking sessions.

Factors Affecting Calories Burned

1. Body Weight

Your body weight plays a significant role in determining the number of calories you burn while kayaking. In general, the more you weigh, the more calories you will burn during any physical activity. This is because heavier individuals need more energy to move their body mass. To estimate how many calories you burn while kayaking, you can use the following general equation:

Calories burned per hour = Body weight (in kg) × MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) value for kayaking

The MET value is a unit used to represent the intensity of physical activities. For kayaking, the MET value ranges from 2.5 to 5, depending on the intensity of paddling.

2. Intensity of Paddling

The intensity of your paddling directly affects the number of calories you burn. Leisurely kayaking at a slow and steady pace will burn fewer calories than vigorous paddling in challenging conditions. The MET value mentioned earlier will help you estimate the calorie expenditure for different intensities of kayaking:

• Leisurely kayaking (low intensity, calm water): 2.5 METs
• Moderate kayaking (medium intensity, steady pace): 4 METs
• Vigorous kayaking (high intensity, challenging conditions): 5 METs

3. Type of Kayaking

The type of kayaking you engage in also influences the number of calories burned. For example, sea kayaking, white-water kayaking, and recreational kayaking all have different energy demands due to the varying levels of resistance from the water and the need for different paddling techniques.

Calorie Burn Estimates

Using the MET values and the general equation mentioned earlier, let’s estimate the calories burned per hour for various body weights and paddling intensities:

1. Leisurely Kayaking (2.5 METs)

• 60 kg (132 lbs) person: 60 kg × 2.5 METs = 150 calories per hour
• 70 kg (154 lbs) person: 70 kg × 2.5 METs = 175 calories per hour
• 80 kg (176 lbs) person: 80 kg × 2.5 METs = 200 calories per hour

2. Moderate Kayaking (4 METs)

• 60 kg (132 lbs) person: 60 kg × 4 METs = 240 calories per hour
• 70 kg (154 lbs) person: 70 kg × 4 METs = 280 calories per hour
• 80 kg (176 lbs) person: 80 kg × 4 METs = 320 calories per hour

3. Vigorous Kayaking (5 METs)

• 60 kg (132 lbs) person: 60 kg × 5 METs = 300 calories per hour
• 70 kg (154 lbs) person: 70 kg × 5 METs = 350 calories per hour
• 80 kg (176 lbs) person: 80 kg × 5 METs = 400 calories per hour

  These estimates provide a general idea of the calorie expenditure during kayaking. However, keep in mind that individual factors, such as metabolism, muscle mass, and overall fitness level, can also influence the number of calories burned.

  Maximizing Calorie Burn While Kayaking

  To increase the calorie-burning potential of your kayaking sessions, consider the following tips:

  1. Increase the intensity: Paddle at a brisk pace, focusing on using proper technique to maintain speed and stability. Incorporating interval training – alternating between high-intensity and low-intensity paddling – can also help you burn more calories.

  2. Utilize your whole body: While kayaking primarily targets your upper body, engaging your core and lower body muscles will help you burn more calories. Focus on maintaining a strong posture and using your legs to stabilize and generate power as you paddle.

  3. Explore various water conditions: Navigating through different water environments, such as rivers, lakes, or the ocean, can challenge your body in unique ways. Paddling against currents, waves, or wind can increase the intensity of your workout and lead to higher calorie expenditure.

  4. Extend your kayaking sessions: The longer you paddle, the more calories you burn. Plan longer trips to cover more distance or set a goal to increase your paddling time progressively.

  5. Cross-training: Incorporate other activities, such as hiking, swimming, or strength training, to improve your overall fitness and increase the number of calories burned during kayaking.

  Conclusion

  Kayaking is an enjoyable and effective way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and strengthen your muscles. The number of calories burned depends on factors such as your body weight, paddling intensity, and the type of kayaking you’re participating in. By incorporating the tips mentioned above, you can maximize the calorie-burning potential of your kayaking sessions and paddle your way to better health and fitness.