Push ups are a classic exercise that has been a staple in fitness regimens for decades. They are a bodyweight exercise that primarily works the muscles in the chest, shoulders, and triceps, but also engages the core and the back muscles. Push ups are a simple and convenient exercise that can be performed almost anywhere, with no equipment needed. But, one question that often comes up is: how many calories do push ups burn?

To answer this question, we need to understand how calories are burned during exercise. The number of calories burned during a particular activity depends on a number of factors, including the intensity of the activity, the duration of the activity, and the individual’s weight and body composition.

The number of calories burned during a push up can be estimated using a formula that takes into account the individual’s weight and the duration of the exercise. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 155-pound person burns about 0.17 calories per push up, and a 185-pound person burns about 0.2 calories per push up. This means that, for a 155-pound person, performing 100 push ups would burn about 17 calories, and for a 185-pound person, it would burn about 20 calories.

However, it’s important to note that these estimates are just that – estimates. The actual number of calories burned during a push up can vary depending on the individual’s body composition, level of muscle mass, and intensity of the exercise. For example, a person with a higher muscle mass may burn more calories during a push up because they have to work harder to lift their own body weight. On the other hand, a person with less muscle mass may burn fewer calories because they have a lower body weight.

It’s also important to consider the intensity of the push ups. If you are doing push ups at a slower pace with proper form, you will likely burn fewer calories than if you were doing push ups at a faster pace with poor form. The intensity of the push ups can also be increased by adding variations to the exercise, such as doing plyometric push ups (also known as “clapping push ups”) or using a resistance band to add extra resistance.

In addition to the number of calories burned during the push ups themselves, it’s also important to consider the “afterburn” effect, also known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). EPOC refers to the increase in oxygen uptake that occurs after a workout, as the body works to return to its resting state. During this process, the body continues to burn calories as it recovers from the exercise. The number of calories burned during EPOC can vary depending on the intensity and duration of the workout.

So, how many calories do push ups burn? It’s difficult to give a precise answer, as the number of calories burned during a push up can vary greatly depending on the individual’s weight, body composition, and intensity of the exercise. However, as a rough estimate, a 155-pound person can expect to burn about 17 calories for every 100 push ups they do, while a 185-pound person can expect to burn about 20 calories. To maximize the number of calories burned during push ups, it’s important to focus on proper form, vary the intensity of the exercise, and consider the afterburn effect.