How to Calculate Calories Burned on a Treadmill

Its hard to trust the number of calories the treadmill claims you burn.

The most common ways to determine how many calories you burn on the treadmill are either relying on the screen that tells you how many you have burned after completing the exercise, or using an online calculator to determine calorie burn. There are a number of factors that must be taken into account when determining exactly how much calories you've burned, including weight, age, heart rate and gender. The most reliable way to calculate your caloric expenditure is through an electronic monitoring system such as the Body Bug. However, there is a reliable formula you can also use to see if the number on the treadmill matches your calculations.

Things You'll Need

• MET Reference Table
• Calculator
• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

1. Categorize your level of exertion, using a metabolic equivalent task scale--commonly referred to as MET--which can be found online. According to Top End Sports, brisk walking generally measures anywhere from 3.5 to 5 METs, while slow jogging to sprinting ranges anywhere from 6 to 16 METs.

2. Multiply the MET of your exertion level on the treadmill by 3.5.

3. Multiply that value by your weight, measured in kilograms. (Multiply your weight in pounds by 0.45 to convert pounds to kilograms.)

4. Divide this number by 200.

5. Multiply this number [(MET x 3.5 x your weight in kg)/200] by the number of minutes spent performing the activity. The result is the approximate number of calories you burned while on the treadmill.

References

• Weight Loss Dr. Gily: How Did You Calculate Calories Burned by Exercise?
• The Washington Post: How 'Bout Them MET's!
• Top End Sports: Energy Expenditure of Activities

Resources

• MET Table: Energy Expenditure of Activities