What is the Aerobics Calories Burned Calculator?
This calculator estimates how many calories (kcal) you burn during aerobics or step aerobics using the MET (metabolic equivalent) method. MET values are drawn from the international Compendium of Physical Activities, so the numbers apply anywhere. The formula itself is universal and not country-specific.
How to use it
Pick your aerobics type from the dropdown — each option carries its standard MET value. Enter how long you exercised in minutes and your body weight (kilograms or pounds). The tool converts the duration to hours and your weight to kilograms, then applies the energy-expenditure formula and reports both the exercise intensity (METs) and the calories burned.
The formula explained
The MET method uses: $$\text{calories burned (kcal)} = \text{MET} \times \text{body weight (kg)} \times \text{duration (hours)} \times 1.05$$. One MET is roughly the energy of sitting at rest, about 1 kcal per kilogram of body weight per hour. The 1.05 factor is the commonly used refinement of that constant. Higher-MET activities burn more energy per minute, and heavier people burn more calories for the same activity.
Worked example
General aerobics has a MET of \(7.3\). For a 60 kg person exercising 60 minutes (1.0 hour): $$7.3 \times 60 \times 1.0 \times 1.05 = 459.9 \text{ kcal}.$$ If the same person trained only 30 minutes (0.5 hour): $$7.3 \times 60 \times 0.5 \times 1.05 = 229.95 \text{ kcal}.$$
FAQ
Why does intensity matter? The MET value reflects how hard the activity is — step aerobics on a taller step or adding weights raises the MET and the calories burned.
Are these numbers exact? No. MET-based estimates are population averages; individual fitness, technique and effort cause real variation. Use the result as a guide.
Can I enter weight in pounds? Yes. Choose "lb" and the tool converts using \(1 \text{ lb} = 0.45359237 \text{ kg}\) before computing.
