Locations:
Search IconSearch

16 Ways to Burn Calories: Which Is Best for You?

How well 16 activities boost weight loss + heart health

Bathroom scale surrounded by various exercise recommendations

If you’ve hit a weight plateau, exercise can help you torch extra calories and reduce stress on your heart and blood vessels. But a realistic goal is critical. For example, if you try to lose one pound a week through exercise, you’ll need to burn 500 extra calories every day.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

“For many people, that’s too aggressive a goal and, as the chart below shows, very time-consuming,” says Erik Van Iterson, PhD, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation. “It’s more sustainable to burn 250 extra calories through exercise while cutting 250 extra calories from diet every day.”

To learn how long your workout should be, choose your favorite activity below and factor in your weight.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

female doing a push up while looking at laptop
February 20, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
Here’s How To Do a Good, Basic Push-up

The exercise — which you’ve probably been doing since grade school — can be intimidating, but proper form can help

Adult male using rowing machine at gym
February 16, 2024/Heart Health
Why Exercise Matters for Your Heart Health

Exercise lowers risk for heart conditions, improves mental health and reduces visceral fat that can compromise your organs

personal trainer working with person on treadmill at gym
February 9, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
How To Find a Personal Trainer — What To Look For

Ask questions, get referrals and consider if someone is a good fit for you and your fitness goals

person doing stair lunges at home
January 25, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
Workout Motivation: Do’s and Don’ts To Help You Actually Stick to Your New Exercise Routine

Expect a few bumps in the road, work out for the right reasons and give yourself some credit

Person jumping rope on a bridge
January 16, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
Hop to It: 6 Benefits of Jumping Rope

Jump into the swing of things to improve your coordination, burn calories and get your heart rate going

rucksack with weights next to it on pavement
January 8, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
Should You Add Rucking to Your Workout?

Walking with a weighted backpack is a low-impact, full-body workout that’s growing in popularity

Woman feeling for heart rate in neck on run outside, smartwatch and earbuds
December 12, 2023/Exercise & Fitness
Heart Rate Zones Explained

A super high heart rate means you’re burning more than fat

Planning their exercised program and inputing it in their smartphone calendar.
November 20, 2023/Exercise & Fitness
How To Follow the FITT Principle for Fitness Success

Meet your workout goals by accounting for frequency, intensity, time and type

Trending Topics

female awake in bed staring ahead with male next to her asleep
3 Steps for Managing Sleep Maintenance Insomnia

Keeping a sleep diary and seeing a sleep specialist can help you stay asleep and get the ZZZs you need

female awake in bed staring ahead with male next to her asleep
3 Steps for Managing Sleep Maintenance Insomnia

Keeping a sleep diary and seeing a sleep specialist can help you stay asleep and get the ZZZs you need

Older woman awake in bed in the middle of the night looking a smartphone
Does Menopause Cause Insomnia and Sleeplessness?

Hormone changes can definitely leave you tossing and turning at night, but help is available

Ad