How Many Calories Does a 20 Minute HIIT Workout Burn?

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a type of workout that alternates between short bursts of intense activity and recovery periods. These short, intense periods of exercise can be incredibly effective at burning calories and improving cardiovascular health. But just how many calories can you expect to burn during a 20-minute HIIT workout?

To answer this question, it’s important to understand the concept of “calories burned.” A calorie is a unit of energy, and when we talk about “burning calories,” we’re referring to the energy that our bodies expend during physical activity. The number of calories burned during a workout is influenced by several factors, including:

Body weight: Larger bodies require more energy to move, so they burn more calories during exercise.

Intensity: The harder you work, the more calories you burn.

Time: The longer you exercise, the more calories you burn.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some estimates for the number of calories burned during a 20-minute HIIT workout.

For a person weighing 150 pounds, a 20-minute HIIT workout can burn around 150-200 calories. For a person weighing 200 pounds, a 20-minute HIIT workout can burn around 200-250 calories.

It’s important to note that these are just estimates, and the actual number of calories burned during a HIIT workout can vary widely depending on a number of factors. For example, if you’re new to HIIT and not pushing yourself as hard as you could be, you may burn fewer calories than someone who is more experienced and able to push themselves harder. Additionally, the specific exercises you’re doing during your HIIT workout can also impact the number of calories burned.

Another thing to consider is that HIIT work out can burn more calories after the workout is over. The “afterburn effect” or “excess post-exercise oxygen consumption” (EPOC) is the number of calories burned after a workout is finished, when the body is working to restore its normal resting state. This is caused by the body working to restore its normal resting state and can result in additional calorie burn for up to 24 hours after the workout is finished.

Regardless of the specific number of calories burned, it’s clear that HIIT is an effective way to burn calories and improve overall fitness. The high-intensity nature of HIIT workouts means that they can be completed in shorter periods of time, making them perfect for busy people who don’t have hours to spend at the gym. Additionally, HIIT has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle mass, and improve overall fitness.

In conclusion, it’s difficult to give an exact number of calories burned during a 20-minute HIIT workout as it depends on many factors like the person’s weight, intensity, and the specific exercises done. However, it’s safe to say that a 20-minute HIIT workout can burn between 150-250 calories for a person weighing 150-200 pounds. HIIT is an efficient and effective way to burn calories, improve overall fitness, and achieve long-term weight loss goals. Keep in mind that is always important to consult with a doctor or a professional before starting any workout program.