For people aiming to up their fitness game, stepping into the world of sports might just be the ticket.
If you’re just dusting off those old trainers and eyeing the field anew, you might want to pick your sport based on not just the fun factor but its calorie-torching potential as well.
According to the number crunchers over at Live Rugby Tickets, who have been digging deep into which sport fries the most calories in a standard 60-minute gym class, squash reigns supreme.
Yes, that rapid racket sport tops the charts, burning a whopping 886 calories. Following close behind are running, rugby, martial arts, and even skipping—all smashing past the 700-calorie mark in just an hour.
For those with a taste for adventure, boxing and either BMX or mountain biking can blaze through over 600 calories. It’s like every punch or pedal strike is a calorie bursting into oblivion.
On the flip side, for a gentler day out, sports like golf, horse riding, and gymnastics take a leisurely path, burning fewer calories but still getting you moving.
Tapping into this, MINDBODY, the well-known health and wellness app, sheds light on why men hit the gym.
For many, it’s a mix of boosting overall fitness, bulking up muscle, or even giving their mental health a beneficial boost.
| Top Calorie-Burning Sports in 60 Minutes | Lowest Calorie-Burning Sports in 60 Minutes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Calories Burned | Sport | Calories Burned |
| Squash | 886 | Yoga | 185 |
| Running | 738 | Surfing | 221 |
| Rugby | 738 | Pilates | 221 |
| Martial Arts | 738 | Sailing / Windsurfing | 221 |
| Skipping | 738 | Weightlifting | 221 |
| Boxing | 664 | Walking | 244 |
| BMX or Mountain Biking | 627 | Table Tennis | 295 |
| Swimming | 591 | Gymnastics | 295 |
| Rock Climbing | 591 | Horse Riding | 295 |
| Football | 591 | Golf | 332 |
Stefan Balkenende, the sharp mind at the helm of Live Rugby Tickets, points out that while knowing which sports are the heavy hitters in the calorie-burning league is brilliant, the real magic happens when you find the sport that you truly enjoy.
It’s about the feel-good vibes as much as it is about the burn. So, whether it’s the thrilling pace of squash or the strategic moves of rugby, the key is to enjoy the ride. After all, that’s what keeps you coming back for more!
Here’s a quick takeaway to keep in your back pocket: Squash could be your best bet for maximum calorie burn, but the real winner is the sport that keeps you engaged and eager to play again.