The Calories Burned Carrying Weight Calculator helps you estimate the number of calories you burn while carrying various weights. This is particularly useful for activities like hiking with a backpack, manual labor, or resistance training where weight is added to increase physical effort. Knowing how many calories you burn during these activities can help you track your energy expenditure more accurately and manage your fitness goals.
Formula
The calculator uses the following formula to determine calorie burn:
Calories Burned = MET Value × (Body Weight + Weight Carried) in Kilograms × Duration in Hours
Where:
- MET Value is a measure of the energy cost of physical activities, varying based on the intensity of the weight being carried.
- Body Weight + Weight Carried refers to your total weight during the activity, including any external load (e.g., backpack or equipment).
- Duration refers to the time spent carrying the weight, measured in hours.
MET Values for Carrying Weights
The MET value will depend on how much weight you’re carrying and the intensity of the activity. Below are typical MET values for different load levels:
| Activity | MET Value |
|---|---|
| Carrying light load (less than 10 kg) | 4.0 |
| Carrying moderate load (10-20 kg) | 6.0 |
| Carrying heavy load (more than 20 kg) | 8.0 |
For example, if you’re carrying a light load of less than 10 kg, the activity will have a MET value of 4.0. As the load increases, so does the MET value, reflecting the higher energy expenditure.
Common Terms and Helpful Table
Here’s a quick reference table showing how different MET values apply for carrying various weights over different durations:
| Load Type | Weight Carried (kg) | MET Value | Duration (hours) | Calories Burned (for 70 kg person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Load | 5 kg | 4.0 | 1 hour | 280 kcal |
| Moderate Load | 15 kg | 6.0 | 1 hour | 510 kcal |
| Heavy Load | 25 kg | 8.0 | 1 hour | 735 kcal |
This table helps you quickly estimate the calories burned for carrying different loads over a specified time period.
Example Calculation
Let’s walk through an example to see how the Calories Burned Carrying Weight Calculator works.
Scenario:
A 70 kg person carries a 15 kg load for 2 hours. What is the total calories burned?
Step 1: Use the formula Calories Burned = MET Value × (Body Weight + Weight Carried) × Duration
- MET Value for carrying a moderate load (15 kg) = 6.0
- Body Weight + Weight Carried = 70 kg + 15 kg = 85 kg
- Duration = 2 hours
Step 2: Plug the values into the formula:
Calories Burned = 6.0 × 85 × 2
Calories Burned = 1,020 kcal
So, the person burns 1,020 calories by carrying a 15 kg load for 2 hours.
Most Common FAQs
The more weight you carry, the more energy your body needs to expend. Carrying heavier loads requires more physical effort, which in turn burns more calories. The MET Value increases as the weight you’re carrying increases, reflecting the higher energy expenditure.
Yes, this calculator is ideal for activities like hiking, backpacking, or any situation where you’re carrying a load over time. Simply input your body weight, the weight of your backpack or equipment, and the duration of your activity to get an estimate of your calorie burn.
The estimate is based on MET values, which are widely used in exercise science to measure energy expenditure. While it provides a good approximation, factors like terrain, speed, and individual fitness levels can affect actual calorie burn.