What this calculator does
This tool estimates the calories you burn during ballet, ballroom (social) dance, or yoga. It uses the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) method, the same physiology behind the Compendium of Physical Activities. The MET values are consistent with the revised Physical Activity METs Table from the Japanese National Institute of Health and Nutrition, but because MET physiology is universal, the calculator works for everyone regardless of country.
How to use it
Pick your activity from the dropdown, which sets the MET value automatically (Ballet = 5.0, Ballroom / Social dance = 3.0, Yoga = 2.5). Enter your body weight in kilograms and your exercise time in minutes. The calculator converts minutes to hours, applies the MET formula, and shows total calories burned in kcal.
The formula explained
The core equation is: $$\text{calories (kcal)} = \text{MET} \times \text{weight (kg)} \times \text{hours} \times 1.05$$ One MET is the energy used at rest, roughly 1.05 kcal per kilogram of body weight per hour. Multiplying by the activity's MET value scales that resting rate up to the effort of the activity. Since time is entered in minutes, it is divided by 60 to get hours before multiplying.
Worked example
For ballet (MET 5.0), a body weight of 50 kg and 60 minutes of activity: hours = 60 / 60 = 1.0, so calories $$= 5.0 \times 50 \times 1.0 \times 1.05 = \textbf{262.5 kcal}$$ For 90 minutes of yoga (MET 2.5) at 60 kg: $$2.5 \times 60 \times 1.5 \times 1.05 = 236.25 \text{ kcal}$$
FAQ
Is this net or gross calories? It estimates gross (total) energy expenditure during the activity, including your baseline resting metabolism, not just the calories above rest.
Why 1.05? The 1.05 factor converts MET\(\cdot\)kg\(\cdot\)hours into kilocalories, since 1 MET is about 1.05 kcal/kg/hour. Some calculators round this to 1.0; this tool uses 1.05.
How accurate is it? MET values are population averages. Your actual burn varies with intensity, fitness, technique and how vigorously you dance or hold poses, so treat the result as an estimate.
