1. What is the Calories Burned Equation?

The calories burned equation estimates energy expenditure during physical activity using MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values, which represent the intensity of an activity compared to resting metabolism.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( MET \) — Metabolic Equivalent of Task (dimensionless)
• \( weight_{kg} \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( minutes \) — Duration of activity in minutes

Explanation: The equation calculates calories burned by accounting for activity intensity (MET), body weight, and duration of the activity.

3. Importance of MET Values

Details: MET values standardize the measurement of energy expenditure across different activities. Weight lifting typically has a MET value around 5, but this can vary based on intensity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, duration in minutes, and the MET value (default is 5 for weight lifting). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a MET value?
A: MET stands for Metabolic Equivalent of Task, representing how many times more energy an activity burns compared to sitting quietly.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but individual variations in metabolism can affect actual calories burned.

Q3: Does this account for afterburn effect?
A: No, this calculation only estimates calories burned during the activity itself.

Q4: What MET value should I use for different workouts?
A: Light weight training ≈ 3-5 METs, vigorous weight training ≈ 6-8 METs, circuit training ≈ 8 METs.

Q5: How does body composition affect calories burned?
A: Muscle burns more calories than fat at rest, but this calculator uses total body weight for simplicity.