Calories Burned Raking Leaves in Chicago, IL
Calculate how many calories you burn doing raking leaves in Chicago, Illinois. Adjusted for Chicago's continental climate (avg 55°F). MET: 3.8. Climate adjustment: 0%.
Raking Leaves Calorie Calculator for Chicago
Raking Leaves in Chicago for 30 minutes
138 kcal
MET 3.8 · 73 kg · 276 kcal/hour
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Chicago
Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation.
Chicago, Illinois has a continental climate with an average annual temperature of 55°F and 7 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing raking leaves here, your body burns calories at approximately the standard rate, as the temperature closely matches the conditions used in MET research (68-72°F).
Calorie Burn by Duration (Chicago)
How many calories you burn during raking leaves at different durations in Chicago's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Chicago Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 69 kcal | 69 kcal | 0 |
| 30 minutes | 138 kcal | 138 kcal | 0 |
| 45 minutes | 207 kcal | 207 kcal | 0 |
| 60 minutes | 276 kcal | 276 kcal | 0 |
| 90 minutes | 414 kcal | 414 kcal | 0 |
| 120 minutes | 552 kcal | 552 kcal | 0 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing raking leaves for 30 minutes per session in Chicago, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
1,793
calories per month
21,528 cal/year
= ~6.2 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
2,988
calories per month
35,880 cal/year
= ~10.3 lbs of fat
*Based on the widely used estimate that 1 lb of body fat = ~3,500 calories. Actual weight loss depends on diet, metabolism, and other factors. Climate adjustment of 0% applied for Chicago.
Chicago Fitness Overview
Chicago, Illinois (pop. 2,696,555) has a fitness score of 70/100 with 7.8 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 78. Residents average 7,250 daily steps and burn approximately 2,170 calories per day. Popular activities include running, cycling, weight training.
Fitness Score
70/100
Walk Score
78
Obesity Rate
32.8%
Outdoor Months
7
Other Activities in Chicago, IL
Step Aerobics
MET 7.5 · Moderate to High
~272 cal / 30 min
Power Walking
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Skateboarding
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Beach Volleyball
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Pull-Ups
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Standing Desk Work
MET 1.8 · Low
~65 cal / 30 min
Plank Hold
MET 3.8 · Low to Moderate
~138 cal / 30 min
House Cleaning
MET 3.5 · Low to Moderate
~127 cal / 30 min
Raking Leaves in Other Illinois Cities
Aurora, IL
53°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Joliet, IL
51°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Naperville, IL
54°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Rockford, IL
53°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Elgin, IL
52°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Springfield, IL
51°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Peoria, IL
51°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Raking Leaves in Chicago
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Chicago:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 3.8 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.00
The MET value of 3.8 for raking leaves is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.00 accounts for Chicago's average temperature of 55°F. Research shows that exercising in non-neutral temperatures increases energy expenditure as the body works to maintain its core temperature.
Raking leaves is a seasonal yard work activity that provides a surprisingly effective workout. The repetitive pulling and sweeping motion engages the back, shoulders, and arms, while bending to collect and bag leaves works the core and legs. A typical fall raking session can last 1-2 hours, resulting in meaningful calorie expenditure. The activity also improves grip endurance and can provide light cardiovascular conditioning when performed at a steady pace.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
Calculate calories for any activity or check your total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does raking leaves burn in Chicago, IL?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 138 calories during 30 minutes of raking leaves in Chicago. This accounts for Chicago's continental climate with an average temperature of 55°F, which adjusts calorie burn by 0% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for raking leaves is 3.8.
Does Chicago's climate affect calories burned during raking leaves?
Yes. Chicago has a continental climate averaging 55°F. Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation. This means raking leaves in Chicago burns approximately 0% calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do raking leaves in Chicago?
Chicago's moderate climate (avg 55°F) with 7 outdoor-friendly months makes raking leaves comfortable most of the year. Morning exercise may boost metabolism for the rest of the day, while evening sessions can help with stress relief and sleep quality.
How many calories per month can I burn doing raking leaves in Chicago?
At your current weight, doing raking leaves for 30 minutes in Chicago: 3 sessions/week burns ~1,793 cal/month (21,528 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~2,988 cal/month (35,880 cal/year). These estimates include the 0% climate adjustment for Chicago's 55°F average temperature.
Is raking leaves popular in Chicago, IL?
While raking leaves may not be the most popular activity in Chicago (popular activities include running, cycling, weight training), it is still widely practiced. The city offers 7.8 gyms per 100K residents and has a fitness score of 70/100. The continental climate with 7 outdoor months supports raking leaves for much of the year.