Runners burn more calories than walkers, Do they?

Burn more calories

Is it a myth that runners burn more calories than walkers? It just makes sense—all that sweating and huffing and puffing must mean more calories are being burned, right? There is a difference in calories burned per mile or kilometer for walking vs. running, but it isn't very large, and there is no difference at higher walking speeds.

Measuring Calories Burned

Research on the metabolic equivalents (MET) of various activities ranks each activity by calories per kilogram per hour. Just sitting quietly burns 1 MET. If you weigh 150 pounds, that is 68 calories per hour. A runner and a fast walker, both at a speed of 12 minutes per mile or 5 miles per hour, achieve the exact same 8 MET. Their calories per mile and calories per hour are identical.

Walking at various speeds burns between 2 and 8 MET. Running at various speeds burns 8 to 18 MET. That sounds like quite a difference, but you have to take into account the length of the workout. Do they run for a set number of miles, or do they run for a set period of time? It makes all of the difference.

Calories per Mile for Walking vs. Running

Between the speeds of 5 and 9 miles per hour, runners expend almost the same calories per mile. The METs are higher for faster speeds just to reflect that they will go more miles in that same hour. This assumes they will run for an entire hour, rather than doing a set number of miles. Walkers also see very little difference in calories per mile at walking speeds between 2.5 and 4 miles per hour. While they burn the same calories per mile as runners if they can go 5 mph, they burn fewer calories per mile at slower speeds. They can easily make up that difference in a workout by going further in distance.

Calories Burned per Mile for 160 Pound Person - see FITcalc for fitness calculations

Walking
2.0 mph - 91
2.5 mph - 87
3.0 mph - 85
3.5 mph - 83
4.0 mph - 91
4.5 mph - 102
5.0 mph - 116
Running
5.0 mph - 116
6.0 mph - 121
7.0 mph - 119
8.0 mph - 123
9.0 mph - 121
10.0 mph - 131

See more results with the walking calorie calculator (FITcalc) charts for different weights and speeds. The 4 mph speed is that of a brisk walk. Running a mile will burn 30 more calories for this person than walking briskly. The differences in the calories burned will be less for people who weigh less.

Weight is a Big Factor for Calories Burned

The numbers above are very different if you weigh 100 pounds or 250 pounds. Weight is part of the equation. The more you weigh, the more calories you burn at every speed. But this is something you can't easily change. If you wear a pack or weighted vest that adds 20 pounds, you only increase your calories burned per mile by about 11 to 12. It would be far better and easier to just walk an extra 2 to 5 minutes to burn those same calories. Why risk straining yourself?

Should You Walk or Run Faster?

If you can build up your walking speed to 5 mph, or 12 minutes per mile, you will be at the top calorie burn per mile and achieve the same burn as a jogger. If you are a runner, you don't get any calorie burning benefit by going faster than 10 minutes per mile or 6 mph.

Should You Walk or Run Longer?

The farther you walk or run, the more calories you burn. You get the most benefit by adding distance to your workout, whether you walk or run. The best way to burn more calories is to build your walking and running distance. It's smart to do this incrementally. Add 10 to 15 minutes to your typical workout each week and steadily build up your walking or running time.

Should You Add Weight?

You will burn more calories per mile at every speed by weighing more, but it is a very small difference and not worth the risk of strain. Every extra pound means more impact on your feet, ankles, knees, and hips. It is better to walk or run farther than to add any weight.

The take-away.
If you enjoy running, you can burn calories in less time and be done with your daily workout sooner. Many people enjoy the higher heart rate and the burst of happy brain chemicals it produces. But for others, running is a grind that they have to force themselves to do. In order to get any benefit from a workout, it has to be one that you enjoy and will do day after day. If you love to run, run. If you hate to run but love to walk, walk. You will just need to spend more time walking to go the distance you need to burn the calories you want to burn. If you'd like to start running, see how to get started adding running intervals to your walking workouts

… Just do something. The results will Come!!!!

Call Steve, In-Training Sports | 561-281-8330
In Training Sports
www.intrainingsports.com
Personal Trainer, servicing West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Wellington and Jupiter Florida
3131 Village Blvd, #305
West Palm Beach, FL 33409