Weight loss and calorie burn are popular health goals for many people. To achieve this, one must engage in physical activities that help burn calories and reduce body fat.

The calories you burn depend on several factors, including your body size, age, gender, and the intensity and duration of your physical activities.

Notably, men and women burn calories differently during exercise due to differences in physiological and metabolic factors. Generally, men have a higher muscle mass, while women have a higher percentage of body fat.

Consequently, men tend to burn more calories during exercise as their muscle tissues require more energy to function than fat cells.

This article explores gender-specific calorie burn through physical activity and presents graphs illustrating the differences in calorie burn between men and women during various exercises.

Calorie Burn for Men and Women during Various Activities

The following charts present the estimated calorie burn for men and women during various physical activities per 30 minutes. The values are calculated based on a 155-pound (70 kg) person.

1. Running

Running is one of the most popular forms of aerobic exercise. It involves quick movements of the legs and arms, which increases heart rate and burns calories. The amount of calories burned, however, varies based on speed and distance covered.

The graph shows that men generally burn more calories than women when running at the same speed.

For instance, a man who runs at 6 mph (9.7 km/h) burns an average of 358 calories per 30 minutes compared to a woman who burns 300 calories at the same speed.

2. Bicycling

Bicycling is another popular aerobic exercise that helps improve cardiovascular health and tone leg muscles. The number of calories burned, however, depends on the intensity and duration of the ride.

The graph shows that men burn slightly more calories than women when cycling at the same speed and duration.

For instance, a man who cycles at 12 mph (19.3 km/h) burns an average of 298 calories per 30 minutes compared to a woman who burns 260 calories at the same speed.

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3. Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact aerobic exercise that works virtually all muscle groups in the body. It provides an excellent cardiovascular workout while reducing stress on the joints.

The graph shows that men burn more calories than women when swimming at the same pace and duration.

For instance, a man who swims at a moderate pace (50 yards/minute) burns an average of 372 calories per 30 minutes compared to a woman who burns 312 calories at the same pace.

4. Walking

Walking is a simple, low-impact exercise that you can do almost anywhere and at any time. It helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthen leg muscles, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

The graph shows that men burn more calories than women when walking at the same pace. For instance, a man who briskly walks at 4 mph (6.4 km/h) burns an average of 193 calories per 30 minutes compared to a woman who burns 164 calories at the same pace.

5. Weight Lifting

Weight lifting is a resistance training exercise that helps build muscle mass and improve overall body strength. It involves lifting weights or using resistance bands to challenge the muscles and increase heart rate.

The graph shows that men burn more calories than women when weight lifting.

For instance, a man who lifts weights moderately (120 pounds/60 kg) burns an average of 112 calories per 30 minutes compared to a woman who burns 92 calories at the same weight.

Conclusion

From the above graphs, it’s clear that men burn more calories than women during physical activities that require higher muscle mass and intensity.

However, this doesn’t mean that women can’t achieve their weight loss goals through exercise. Women can burn more calories by increasing the duration and frequency of their physical activities and by incorporating weight-bearing exercises that help build muscle mass.

Regardless of gender, regular exercise is essential for weight loss, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.