How Many Calories Does It Burn?

Interesting question: How many calories can you expect to burn in a Zumba Fitness class?

First, the generic (yet relevant) answer straight from Zumba's web site:

"The number of calories each person burns per class varies. However, depending on your body parameters (type, composition, intensity, range of motion), you can burn hundreds of calories per class."

(Interestingly, about a year ago it was worded a little differently:

"It is very difficult to estimate the number of calories burned during a Zumba Class, because it depends on you, your body type, your body composition, the intensity, and the range of motion that you use with each workout. For example in one Zumba class, one participant could burn 500 calories, while another participant burns 1000 calories. We recommend monitoring how you feel and compare it to other activities that you do that have 'calories burned' associated with it and then estimate accordingly.")

I agree with what Zumba says--it depends. And on a lot of factors. If you move more you burn more. BUT... Bigger people typically burn more. Smaller people less. Conditioned people burn less because their bodies are used to it.

I don't wear a gadget that estimates my caloric expenditure in classes, but I've talked to a lot of people who do. The range is around 400 calories/hour, going up to over 1000/hour. (This is assuming that their gadgets are accurate; not all are reliable.) The higher end is usually reported by people with more body mass, or occasionally by someone smaller who had a KILLER hour. I've heard enough people say they've burned 500-700 calories that it's probably not unreasonable to consider you could burn that much, too.

That's about as scientific of an answer I can give right now. But my favorite response to this question is by a fellow Zumba instructor:

"I don't know that it is wise to give A number (of calories burned). Instead, there are MANY health benefits to ALL EXERCISE... and Zumba just happens to be THE MOST FUN!"

Amen, sister. Amen.