This tool is a health and fitness calculator that estimates the number of calories you burn while performing various gardening tasks. You use this calculator to quantify the physical exertion of your gardening work, translating it into a metric commonly used for exercise. The calculation relies on a scientific standard known as the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET), your specific body weight, and the duration of the activity. By using this tool, you can better appreciate the health benefits of gardening and understand how it contributes to your overall physical activity and calorie expenditure goals.
formula
1. Main Formula
This is the main formula to calculate the total calories burned during a gardening activity.
Main Formula
Total Calories Burned = (MET Value of Activity x 3.5 x Body Weight in kg) / 200 x Duration of Activity in minutes
2. Supporting Formulas and Data
To use the primary formula, you will need the following information and calculations.
a) Body Weight Conversion
The standard metabolic formula requires body weight to be in kilograms (kg). If your weight is in pounds (lbs), you must convert it first.
Formula
Body Weight in kg = Body Weight in lbs / 2.2046
b) MET Values for Common Gardening Tasks
This is a list of standardized MET values for various gardening activities. You must choose the value that best represents the work you were doing.
Weeding or Cultivating: MET Value = 4.3
Digging, Spading, or Tilling (general): MET Value = 5.0
Laying Sod or Crushed Rock: MET Value = 5.0
Planting Seedlings, Shrubs, or Trees: MET Value = 4.5
Raking: MET Value = 4.0
Mowing the Lawn (push mower): MET Value = 5.5
Watering (standing or walking): MET Value = 1.5
General Light Gardening (e.g., pruning, picking produce): MET Value = 3.8
Shoveling, Heavy (e.g., soil, snow, gravel): MET Value = 6.0
Operating a Power Mower or Tiller: MET Value = 2.5
Complete Workflow
Select the Activity: Choose the gardening task you performed and find its corresponding MET Value from the list above.
Convert Your Weight: Take your body weight in pounds and divide it by 2.2046 to get your weight in kilograms.
Enter the Duration: Determine the total number of minutes you spent performing the activity.
Calculate: Input all the values into the primary formula to find the total number of calories burned.
Calories Burned in 30 Minutes of Gardening
This table provides a quick estimate of the calories burned during a 30-minute session for various gardening tasks and body weights. You can use it to easily compare the intensity of different activities.
| Activity | 125 lbs (57 kg) | 155 lbs (70 kg) | 185 lbs (84 kg) |
| General Light Gardening (MET 3.8) | 119 Calories | 148 Calories | 177 Calories |
| Raking (MET 4.0) | 125 Calories | 156 Calories | 186 Calories |
| Weeding (MET 4.3) | 135 Calories | 167 Calories | 200 Calories |
| Planting (MET 4.5) | 141 Calories | 175 Calories | 209 Calories |
| Digging/Spading (MET 5.0) | 157 Calories | 195 Calories | 233 Calories |
| Mowing (Push Mower) (MET 5.5) | 172 Calories | 214 Calories | 256 Calories |
| Heavy Shoveling (MET 6.0) | 188 Calories | 233 Calories | 279 Calories |
Example
Let’s calculate the total calories burned for an individual performing a specific gardening task.
Scenario Details:
- A person weighs 175 lbs.
- The activity is digging in the garden.
- The duration of the activity is 45 minutes.
Calculation Steps:
- First, we convert the person’s body weight from pounds to kilograms.
- Body Weight in kg = 175 lbs / 2.2046 = 79.38 kg
- Next, we identify the MET value for the activity. From the list, the MET value for digging is 5.0.
- Then, we gather all the values to input into the formula:
- MET Value = 5.0
- Body Weight = 79.38 kg
- Duration = 45 minutes
- Finally, we apply the main formula.
- Total Calories Burned = (5.0 x 3.5 x 79.38) / 200 x 45
- Total Calories Burned = (1389.15) / 200 x 45
- Total Calories Burned = 6.94575 x 45 = 313 calories (rounded)
Therefore, a 175-pound person will burn approximately 313 calories after digging in the garden for 45 minutes.
Most Common FAQs
This calculator provides a scientifically-based estimate, not an exact measurement. The formula uses standardized MET values, which are averages derived from studies of large groups of people. The actual number of calories you burn can vary based on factors like your individual metabolism, age, sex, fitness level, and the precise intensity of your work. However, it is a very good tool for comparing the energy expenditure of different activities and for understanding the general fitness benefits of gardening.
MET stands for Metabolic Equivalent of Task. It is a standard measure used to express the intensity of a physical activity. One MET is defined as the amount of energy you use when you are resting or sitting quietly. An activity with a MET value of 4, for example, means you are using four times the amount of energy than you would be at rest. It is the most common method used in exercise science to classify how strenuous an activity is.
Yes, but you should calculate each activity separately. For instance, if you spent 30 minutes raking and then 30 minutes weeding, you cannot simply average the MET values. The correct method is to use the calculator for the 30 minutes of raking first, then use it again for the 30 minutes of weeding. Afterward, you simply add the two resulting calorie amounts together to get your total for the entire gardening session.