February 18, 2019/Heart Health

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 on scale, questioning muscle weight vs. fat weight
April 12, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
The Difference Between Muscle Weight vs. Fat Weight

Both are needed for a healthy body

Person in office doing leg lifts
April 10, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
5 Psoas Stretches and Exercises

Counteract psoas muscle stiffness and soreness with stretches that lengthen and strengthen

Muscular person using weight machine in gym, headphones around neck
April 8, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
Is It Bad To Do the Same Workout Every Day?

It may be OK, depending on your health, fitness level and type of exercise

Person stretching neck at work desk in front of monitor
April 5, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
8 Posture Exercises To Sit and Stand Straighter

Simple exercises like wall angels and pelvic tilts can help keep your body in an optimal position — and help undo years of improper posture habits

Spoonful of apple cider vinegar
March 27, 2024/Weight Loss
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight?

The science on ACV isn’t very promising for weight loss or appetite suppression

Female struggling to push a large rock up a hill
March 21, 2024/Weight Loss
Why It Really Is Harder for Women To Lose Weight (and What To Do About It)

Genetics, metabolism and hormonal fluctuations can all make weight loss more difficult

female sitting meditating, eyes closed
March 19, 2024/Weight Loss
14 Ways To Lose Belly Fat

Losing belly fat can reduce your risk for chronic health conditions — try focusing on a diet high in lean protein, exercising regularly, reducing stress and getting quality ZZZs

person running with food and fitness images floating behind
March 6, 2024/Exercise & Fitness
Is It Safe to Work Out While You’re Fasting?

It’s best to exercise before or after your fast, instead of during it

Trending Topics

Person in yellow tshirt and blue jeans relaxing on green couch in living room reading texts on their phone.
Here’s How Many Calories You Naturally Burn in a Day

Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity

woman snacking on raisins and nuts
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Ad