Although it varies by person and environment, the average number of calories a person burns by kayaking is 50 calories per 10 minutes. For those looking to add it into their physical activity routine, kayaking is an effective and fun way to burn calories.
For the purposes of this article, “calories” refers to kilocalories, which is the energy measurement used in food. Learn more about how many calories kayaking burns, how kayaking compares to walking for exercise, and more!
Calories burned Kayaking Calculator
How many calories are burned kayaking for 30 minutes?
Based on the average of 50 calories burned per 10 minutes of kayaking, 30 minutes of non-stop kayaking would burn around 150 calories. This will differ by person based on factors such as body weight, lifestyle, weather, speed, and equipment.
How many calories are burned kayaking for 1 hour?
Using the same calculation, non-stop kayaking or paddle boarding for 1 hour would burn around 300 calories. If you are using a stand-up paddle board rather than a traditional kayak, 1 hour of exercise could burn even more!
How many calories are burned kayaking for 1 mile?
The average person kayaks at a speed of about 2 miles per hour. Although it differs from person to person, kayaking for 1 mile would burn around 150 calories, equivalent to 30 minutes of kayaking.
What burns more calories, kayaking or walking?
At the same speed, kayaking burns more calories than walking. An hour walk at 2 miles per hour (on a flat surface, like a sidewalk or a street) burns between 200-250 calories compared to kayaking’s 300 calories.
Is kayaking a good workout?
Kayaking is good aerobic exercise, and it helps build lean muscle. You will increase the strength in your arms, back, and core if you kayak regularly.
Can I lose weight by kayaking everyday?
Every person’s relationship with weight loss is different. If you burn calories every day by kayaking or paddle boarding, though, you are building a routine of strengthening your body and potentially burning fat, which could result in weight loss. Check in with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if your goal is to lose weight!
How do I get started kayaking?
Many cities have kayak rental shops near rivers and lakes, some of which also offer lessons. They should equip you with all the proper safety gear as well. If you try kayaking and like it, you can consider buying your own kayak and equipment.
How can I burn more calories when kayaking?
If you want to burn more calories per kayaking session, try paddling faster, kayaking longer, or switching out your equipment. Using a stand-up paddle board engages your core and uses more muscles, thereby burning more calories in the same amount of time.
How do I get better at kayaking?
The best way to get better at kayaking is to do more of it! If you’d like to train at home or the gym in between kayaking sessions, here are some workouts that can improve your kayaking:
- Planking
- Dumbbell Thruster
- High and low wood chops
- Bent-over row
- Kettlebell swings
Do men and women burn the same amount of calories while kayaking?
Assigned sex is just one of many factors that can influence the amount of calories a person burns through exercise – in general, people with more testosterone burn more calories than people with more estrogen. Other factors that influence calories burned are body weight, metabolism, diet, and genetics.
How does body weight affect how many calories kayaking burns?
A 250-pound person will burn more calories than a 200-pound person doing identical exercises for the same amount of time. The reasoning behind this is that it takes more energy to move more mass, using up more calories.
What burns more calories, kayaking or running?
Running at 5 miles per hour for 30 minutes burns around 300 calories, which is about double the calories burned kayaking at 2 miles per hour. By this metric, running burns more calories than kayaking; if you wanted to burn a similar amount of calories, you would have to kayak faster.
What are some other benefits of kayaking?
Besides burning calories and strengthening your body, kayaking offers the following benefits:
- Stress reduction
- A community of people with similar interests
- Opportunities to explore the outdoors
- Can be a solo or group activity
What burns more calories, kayaking or biking?
According to Harvard University, biking at a moderate pace of 12-14 miles per hour burns around 300 calories per half hour, which is about double the calories burned by kayaking. Biking burns more calories than kayaking, but it also strengthens different muscles, which may not be your goal.
What muscles does kayaking use?
The beauty of kayaking is that it provides a full-body workout. Kayaking uses and builds your core muscles (abdominals and obliques), glutes, legs (quads and hamstrings), upper back (lats), and arm muscles.
