Skateboarding is a dynamic physical activity requiring balance, coordination, and muscular exertion. Whether used for recreation or transportation, it requires continuous energy output. The number of calories burned is highly variable, depending on the rider’s body weight and the intensity of the session. Based on standardized metabolic measures, a typical session generally burns between 300 and 600 calories per hour.
Calculating Calorie Burn During Skateboarding
The most common method for estimating the energy cost of physical activity relies on the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) value. One MET is defined as the energy expended while sitting quietly at rest, which is approximately 3.5 milliliters of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute. Activities are assigned a MET value representing how many times more energy they require than this resting state.
The formula to calculate estimated calories burned per minute is: (METs \(\times\) Body Weight in kg \(\times\) 3.5) / 200. This formula shows that body weight is the primary variable; a heavier person expends more calories performing the same activity. For instance, a moderate-effort skateboarding session is typically assigned a MET value of 5.0.
A person weighing 150 pounds (68 kilograms) skateboarding at this moderate intensity would burn an estimated 357 calories in one hour. If that person weighed 200 pounds (90 kilograms), the caloric expenditure for the same 5.0 MET activity would increase to approximately 472 calories per hour. This formula provides a generalized estimate and does not account for individual differences in fitness level or movement efficiency.
Energy Expenditure Based on Skateboarding Style
The intensity of a skateboarding session dramatically alters the MET value, shifting the activity between moderate and vigorous classifications. The riding style dictates the muscular effort and cardiovascular demand, meaning calorie burn varies significantly across different forms of skateboarding.
A sustained cruising session, characterized by minimal pushing and a lower heart rate, is a low-intensity activity. This relaxed style, similar to light cycling, is assigned a lower MET value, typically 3.5 to 4.0. At 4.0 METs, a 150-pound person would expend about 285 calories per hour.
Conversely, technical street or park riding requires bursts of powerful, anaerobic effort for executing tricks like ollies, flips, and grinds. These movements incorporate frequent acceleration, deceleration, jumping, and recovery, significantly increasing the heart rate and overall energy cost.
Technical riding, especially with repeated attempts or high speeds, can push the MET value into the 7.0 to 8.5 range, classifying it as vigorous activity. Longboard skateboarding at a typical speed has been measured at approximately 8.5 METs, demonstrating the high demand of sustained, fast movement.
Skateboarding Versus Other Common Activities
Comparing skateboarding to other common forms of exercise helps contextualize its effectiveness as a calorie-burning activity. A moderate-effort skateboarding session (approximately 5.0 METs) has a similar energy expenditure level as brisk walking at four miles per hour or playing doubles tennis. For a 150-pound individual, these activities burn around 350 to 360 calories per hour.
As intensity increases, skateboarding moves closer to traditional vigorous activities. Moderate-effort cycling, such as riding at 10 to 12 miles per hour, is rated at 6.0 METs, which is slightly higher than general skateboarding. This moderate cycling would burn about 428 calories per hour for the same 150-pound person.
Technical street skating or fast downhill longboarding, with MET values in the 8.0 range, rivals activities like jogging at a 12-minute-per-mile pace or playing singles tennis. These vigorous activities can exceed 570 calories per hour, showing that certain styles of skateboarding offer a highly effective workout. The exact number of calories burned is ultimately determined by the rider’s body size and the sustained intensity maintained throughout the session.