How Many Calories Does Hot Yoga Burn?
According to the yoga calorie burned calculator, a 60-minute session of hot yoga can burn from 300 to 600 calories. It is an average estimation because the actual amount of calories burned will vary depending on the practitioners. There are some factors as well that influence the calorie burn. It is also noticed that hot yoga increases calorie burn compared to regular yoga as it is practiced in a heated room.
Does Hot Yoga Burn More Calories?
It is still a topic of debate whether hot yoga burns more calories than regular yoga. Though there is limited research regarding this, a few studies found that exercising in heat helps you burn more calories.
Based on this fact, hot yoga burns a few more calories than traditional yoga. However, the difference is not as big as you think. Calorie burning actually depends on the intensity and duration of any exercise. When practicing yoga in a hot room, your body may find it more challenging to perform which can cause a few more calorie burn.
For a precise answer and experience, you can visit a hot yoga studio in Franklin and ask the instructor. You can also participate in a hot yoga class to experiment with how many calories you burn.
What Affects Calorie Burn in Hot Yoga?
In hot yoga, high temperature and intensity do not only help you burn more calories. Instead, there are various factors behind the calorie expenditure. If practitioners understand them thoroughly, many of their confusions will be clear.
Here are the factors that remain unnoticed but have a major impact on calorie burn during hot yoga.
Body weight
A person's body weight has a major role in burning calories during any exercise, including hot yoga. More body weight means that your body needs extra energy to move and function. If a heavier person practices hot yoga, he/she will naturally burn more calories than a lighter practitioner. The reason is that their bodies require extra energy to support those movements and activity levels.
Muscle mass
Your muscle mass can also influence the calories you burn during physical activities. More muscles burn extra calories because they require more energy compared to fat tissue. Despite having similar body weights, the calorie burning of the two individuals will be different due to the distinctions in their muscle mass. For example, a person with higher muscle mass will burn more calories during hot yoga than another with less muscle mass.
Age
Your age even can be another reason behind whether you will burn more or fewer calories during hot yoga. As we age, our metabolism and muscle mass undergoes various changes. Age can cause muscle loss and slow metabolism. That’s why younger hot yoga practitioners usually burn more calories than older individuals. Young people naturally have a higher muscle-to-fat ratio and faster metabolism that helps them burn more calories during hot yoga.
Sex
Men have a higher amount of lean muscle tissue than women which causes more calorie burn even at rest. It means a male practitioner will require more calories naturally than a female when practicing hot yoga. Men also have higher metabolic rates which also help them burn extra calories. That’s why the number of calories burned between men and women will never be the same.
Fitness level
Hot yoga is practiced to enhance fitness and endurance. When burning calories is the priority, unfit persons remain ahead here. Fit people are used to physical activities. Also, their muscles and cardiovascular systems are trained with regular exercises to face difficulties in intense activities. During hot yoga, their bodies can respond differently and burn calories efficiently. On the other hand, unfit individuals will find the session more challenging and lose more calories than fitness enthusiasts.
How To Increase Calorie Burn While Doing Hot Yoga
If your priority is to burn extra calories during hot yoga, your approach to training should be strategic. When practicing infrared hot yoga in Franklin TN, you can also ask your instructor for more calorie-burning advice. You can follow these tips primarily to increase calorie burn:
Find the most calorie-burning postures to practice
Choose a longer yoga session
Move faster between yoga poses (asanas)
Hold poses longer than usual
Focus on using the right muscle during postures
Limit break frequency and duration.
Final Thought
Hot yoga burns calories, even a few more than the regular one. But, how many calories you will lose depends on its intensity, your techniques, and other factors. If your intention is to burn calories faster and lose body weight, you must focus on a calorie deficiency. Hot yoga also offers additional health advantages over other forms of exercise, including better flexibility, endurance, and a strong cardiovascular system. So, consider it an activity for overall health, instead of thinking it as a calorie burner only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hot yoga good for weight loss?
It is an excellent fitness activity to help you lose weight. But it alone may not be very effective to lose weight fast. Though it burns calories, the calorie deficit must happen in your body to lose weight.
Can hot yoga help to lose belly fat?
If your diet is healthy and you maintain a good lifestyle, it can help you reduce belly fat gradually.
Is hot yoga better than a regular gym?
Both have unique advantages. A gym offers different types of exercises which are designed for overall fitness. In contrast, hot yoga is a variation of yoga designed to enhance endurance and flexibility.
Is hot yoga a cardio or strength training?
Hot yoga falls under intense cardio training. It raises your heart rate when practiced and strengthens your cardiovascular system.
Can hot yoga make you tired?
You can experience fatigue temporarily due to calorie burn and excessive sweating. Drinking water, resting, and eating a post-yoga meal will make you feel normal within hours.