Calories Burned Raking Leaves in Detroit, MI
Calculate how many calories you burn doing raking leaves in Detroit, Michigan. Adjusted for Detroit's continental climate (avg 45°F). MET: 3.8. Climate adjustment: +3%.
Raking Leaves Calorie Calculator for Detroit
Raking Leaves in Detroit for 30 minutes
142 kcal
MET 3.8 · 73 kg · 284 kcal/hour
Includes +3% climate adjustment for Detroit (45°F avg)
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Detroit
Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%.
Detroit, Michigan has a continental climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F and 6 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 (Detroit)
How many calories you burn during raking leaves at different durations in Detroit's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Detroit 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 Detroit, 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 Detroit.
Detroit Fitness Overview
Detroit, Michigan (pop. 639,111) has a fitness score of 51/100 with 6.5 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 55. Residents average 6,600 daily steps and burn approximately 1,900 calories per day. Popular activities include running, cycling, weight training.
Fitness Score
51/100
Walk Score
55
Obesity Rate
32.5%
Outdoor Months
6
Other Activities in Detroit, MI
Rock Climbing
MET 8 · High
~299 cal / 30 min
CrossFit
MET 12 · Very High
~449 cal / 30 min
Walking the Dog
MET 3 · Low
~112 cal / 30 min
Playing with Kids
MET 5 · Moderate
~187 cal / 30 min
Mowing the Lawn
MET 5.5 · Moderate
~206 cal / 30 min
Cycling
MET 8 · Moderate
~299 cal / 30 min
Circuit Training
MET 8 · High
~299 cal / 30 min
Rowing
MET 7 · Moderate
~262 cal / 30 min
Raking Leaves in Other Michigan Cities
Grand Rapids, MI
48°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Warren, MI
44°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Sterling Heights, MI
47°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Ann Arbor, MI
46°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Lansing, MI
47°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Dearborn, MI
49°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Flint, MI
43°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
Livonia, MI
49°F · Continental
~142 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Raking Leaves in Detroit
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Detroit:
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 Detroit's average temperature of 45°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 Detroit, MI?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 142 calories during 30 minutes of raking leaves in Detroit. This accounts for Detroit's continental climate with an average temperature of 45°F, which adjusts calorie burn by +3% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for raking leaves is 3.8.
Does Detroit's climate affect calories burned during raking leaves?
Yes. Detroit has a continental climate averaging 45°F. Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%. This means raking leaves in Detroit 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 Detroit?
Detroit's moderate climate (avg 45°F) with 6 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 Detroit?
At your current weight, doing raking leaves for 30 minutes in Detroit: 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 Detroit's 45°F average temperature.
Is raking leaves popular in Detroit, MI?
While raking leaves may not be the most popular activity in Detroit (popular activities include running, cycling, weight training), it is still widely practiced. The city offers 6.5 gyms per 100K residents and has a fitness score of 51/100. The continental climate with 6 outdoor months supports raking leaves for much of the year.