Locations:
Search IconSearch

16 Ways to Burn Calories: Which Is Best for You?

How well 16 activities boost weight loss + heart health

Bathroom scale surrounded by various exercise recommendations

If you’ve hit a weight plateau, exercise can help you torch extra calories and reduce stress on your heart and blood vessels. But a realistic goal is critical. For example, if you try to lose one pound a week through exercise, you’ll need to burn 500 extra calories every day.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

“For many people, that’s too aggressive a goal and, as the chart below shows, very time-consuming,” says Erik Van Iterson, PhD, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation. “It’s more sustainable to burn 250 extra calories through exercise while cutting 250 extra calories from diet every day.”

To learn how long your workout should be, choose your favorite activity below and factor in your weight.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Person sitting at table eating from a plate full of food, thinking about other foods and meals floating around their head
December 9, 2024/Nutrition
What Is Food Noise? And How To Quiet It

Constantly thinking about food can make it hard to maintain a healthy weight and can lead to other health issues

Person with overweight sitting on couch looking at phone
July 26, 2024/Weight Loss
7 Possible Reasons Why Your Weight Fluctuates

Hormones, water retention and even exercise can play a part in daily weight changes

man weighs himself in morning
June 12, 2023/Weight Loss
The Best Time To Weigh Yourself (and How Often You Should Step on the Scale)

Consistency is a big part of weight tracking

Person exercising with weights in a living room
February 2, 2022/Weight Loss
How To Break That Frustrating Weight-Loss Plateau

An expert explains why they happen and how to get past them

Cup of hot tea in glass mug, with peppermint sprigs near
February 19, 2025/Heart Health
6 Ways To Relieve Lactose Intolerance Symptoms

Medications, dietary changes, abdominal massage and physical activity can all help you start to feel better

Person doing wall sits, or wall squats, outside
February 19, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
9 Reasons You Should Do Wall Sits — and How To Get Started

Wall sits can burn fat, strengthen your core, improve posture and even lower blood pressure

Person doing a plank in a park under a tree
February 17, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
What Are the Different Types of Exercise?

Focusing on resistance, cardio and flexibility can help you meet your fitness goals

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad