Running is rightly considered one of the easiest and most effective forms of exercise. Regular long jogging with low intensity helps normalize blood circulation, trains muscles, strengthens the cardiovascular system, helps cleanse the body and even improves mood.
But perhaps most often beginners choose running to fight excess weight. During an hour-long run, a person spends an average of 500 to 900 kcal, depending on speed, weight and a number of other factors.
Experienced runners are accustomed to go to the distance, regardless of the weather, health and other external circumstances. But what to do if there is no opportunity to run, and you don’t want to “save up”? We tell you how to spend as many calories as you burn in one hour of running without leaving the house.
2 hours of squats or 600 push-ups
It is almost impossible to fully replace running from the point of view of the all-round load on the body and all its positive properties. Therefore, all alternatives can be considered as a replacement only in terms of burning calories.
Let’s assume that for an hour of running you lose 600 kcal (this is an approximate figure for a person weighing 65 kg at a speed of 10 km/hour). In order to burn the same amount of energy, you will have to exercise on an exercise bike for an hour and a half, jump rope for 1 hour and 15 minutes or do yoga for an hour and a half. You can also do 600 push-ups from the floor or 2 hours of continuous squatting.
Another way to burn calories is to run up and down the stairs. In terms of energy expenditure, it is almost as good as a classic jog, so it is enough to run up and down the stairs for an hour.
Cleaning
A lot of calories can be lost by doing the usual housework. For example, 2 hours of mopping the floor, an hour of vacuuming or an hour of wet mopping will help compensate for the lack of an hour’s jogging. You can also clean the windows – 2.5 hours and 600 calories are gone.
Pleasant chores
The body gets rid of calories not only during heavy physical activity, but also during pleasant activities. So, the equivalent of an hour’s jogging can be 3 hours of shopping or playing the guitar, but only while standing. You can also sing or, for example, knit. But in this case, to burn 600 kcal, you will have to spend as much as 5 hours.
Sitting
In general, the average number of calories burned per day depends on the profession, but even when sitting in the office, energy is not as little as it seems at first glance. To get rid of 600 kcal it is enough to actively type on a computer for 5 hours. A similar effect can be achieved by driving a car for the same 5-6 hours.
Children
It is not easy for parents of small children to allocate time not only for long runs, but at least for rest. Nevertheless, in terms of energy expenditure, raising a child is not inferior to running. A couple or three hours of active games quite replace an hour’s jogging.
In addition, daily care – dressing, feeding and bathing a child – allows you to spend much more than 600 kcal. And if you carry your favorite child in your arms, for example, 3.5 hours, easily get rid of a couple hundred calories.
Love
Finally, perhaps, one of the most pleasant ways to get rid of excess energy. You can effectively burn calories by making love. Scientists have calculated that during sexual intercourse lasting 25 minutes burns about 200 kcal. That is, instead of an hour-long jog, you can spend an hour and a half in the arms of your partner.