Calories Burned Raking Leaves in Denver, CO
Calculate how many calories you burn doing raking leaves in Denver, Colorado. Adjusted for Denver's continental climate (avg 50°F). MET: 3.8. Climate adjustment: +3%.
Raking Leaves Calorie Calculator for Denver
Raking Leaves in Denver for 30 minutes
142 kcal
MET 3.8 · 73 kg · 284 kcal/hour
Includes +3% climate adjustment for Denver (50°F avg)
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Denver
Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%.
Denver, Colorado has a continental climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F and 7 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing raking leaves here, your body expends approximately +3% more energy than it would in standard lab conditions (68-72°F). This means a 160 lb person burns ~142 calories in 30 minutes instead of the standard ~138 calories.
Calorie Burn by Duration (Denver)
How many calories you burn during raking leaves at different durations in Denver's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Denver Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 69 kcal | 71 kcal | +2 |
| 30 minutes | 138 kcal | 142 kcal | +4 |
| 45 minutes | 207 kcal | 213 kcal | +6 |
| 60 minutes | 276 kcal | 284 kcal | +8 |
| 90 minutes | 414 kcal | 426 kcal | +12 |
| 120 minutes | 552 kcal | 568 kcal | +16 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing raking leaves for 30 minutes per session in Denver, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
1,845
calories per month
22,152 cal/year
= ~6.3 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
3,074
calories per month
36,920 cal/year
= ~10.5 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 +3% applied for Denver.
Denver Fitness Overview
Denver, Colorado (pop. 711,463) has a fitness score of 68/100 with 7.9 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 61. Residents average 7,250 daily steps and burn approximately 2,110 calories per day. Popular activities include hiking, skiing, trail running.
Fitness Score
68/100
Walk Score
61
Obesity Rate
25.6%
Outdoor Months
7
Other Activities in Denver, CO
Walking
MET 3.5 · Low
~131 cal / 30 min
Plank Hold
MET 3.8 · Low to Moderate
~142 cal / 30 min
Skateboarding
MET 5 · Moderate
~187 cal / 30 min
Shoveling Snow
MET 6 · High
~224 cal / 30 min
Speed Skating
MET 13.5 · Very High
~505 cal / 30 min
Martial Arts
MET 10.3 · High
~385 cal / 30 min
House Cleaning
MET 3.3 · Low
~123 cal / 30 min
Bowling
MET 3 · Low
~112 cal / 30 min
Raking Leaves in Other Colorado Cities
Colorado Springs, CO
49°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Aurora, CO
46°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Fort Collins, CO
48°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Lakewood, CO
46°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Thornton, CO
49°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Arvada, CO
46°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Westminster, CO
46°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Pueblo, CO
46°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Raking Leaves in Denver
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Denver:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 3.8 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.03
The MET value of 3.8 for raking leaves is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.03 accounts for Denver's average temperature of 50°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 Denver, CO?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 142 calories during 30 minutes of raking leaves in Denver. This accounts for Denver's continental climate with an average temperature of 50°F, which adjusts calorie burn by +3% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for raking leaves is 3.8.
Does Denver's climate affect calories burned during raking leaves?
Yes. Denver has a continental climate averaging 50°F. Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%. This means raking leaves in Denver burns approximately +3% more calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do raking leaves in Denver?
Denver's moderate climate (avg 50°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 Denver?
At your current weight, doing raking leaves for 30 minutes in Denver: 3 sessions/week burns ~1,845 cal/month (22,152 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~3,074 cal/month (36,920 cal/year). These estimates include the +3% climate adjustment for Denver's 50°F average temperature.
Is raking leaves popular in Denver, CO?
While raking leaves may not be the most popular activity in Denver (popular activities include hiking, skiing, trail running), it is still widely practiced. The city offers 7.9 gyms per 100K residents and has a fitness score of 68/100. The continental climate with 7 outdoor months supports raking leaves for much of the year.