Calories Burned Speed Skating in Des Moines, IA
Calculate how many calories you burn doing speed skating in Des Moines, Iowa. Adjusted for Des Moines's continental climate (avg 51°F). MET: 13.5. Climate adjustment: +3%.
Speed Skating Calorie Calculator for Des Moines
Speed Skating in Des Moines for 30 minutes
505 kcal
MET 13.5 · 73 kg · 1009 kcal/hour
Includes +3% climate adjustment for Des Moines (51°F avg)
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Des Moines
Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%.
Des Moines, Iowa has a continental climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F and 7 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing speed skating 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 ~505 calories in 30 minutes instead of the standard ~490 calories.
Calorie Burn by Duration (Des Moines)
How many calories you burn during speed skating at different durations in Des Moines's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Des Moines Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 245 kcal | 252 kcal | +7 |
| 30 minutes | 490 kcal | 505 kcal | +15 |
| 45 minutes | 735 kcal | 757 kcal | +22 |
| 60 minutes | 980 kcal | 1009 kcal | +29 |
| 90 minutes | 1470 kcal | 1514 kcal | +44 |
| 120 minutes | 1960 kcal | 2018 kcal | +58 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing speed skating for 30 minutes per session in Des Moines, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
6,560
calories per month
78,780 cal/year
= ~22.5 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
10,933
calories per month
131,300 cal/year
= ~37.5 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 Des Moines.
Des Moines Fitness Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has a fitness score of 58/100 with 6.7 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 42. Residents average 5,900 daily steps and burn approximately 2,030 calories per day. Popular activities include running, cycling, weight training.
Fitness Score
58/100
Walk Score
42
Obesity Rate
37.2%
Outdoor Months
7
Other Activities in Des Moines, IA
Cross-Country Skiing
MET 9 · High
~336 cal / 30 min
Rowing Machine (Moderate)
MET 7 · Moderate
~262 cal / 30 min
Mountain Biking
MET 8.5 · High
~318 cal / 30 min
Raking Leaves
MET 3.8 · Low to Moderate
~142 cal / 30 min
Jump Rope (Double Unders)
MET 12 · Very High
~449 cal / 30 min
Beach Volleyball
MET 8 · High
~299 cal / 30 min
Kettlebell Training
MET 9.8 · High
~366 cal / 30 min
Rugby
MET 8.3 · Very High
~310 cal / 30 min
Speed Skating in Other Iowa Cities
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Speed Skating in Des Moines
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Des Moines:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 13.5 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.03
The MET value of 13.5 for speed skating is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.03 accounts for Des Moines's average temperature of 51°F. Research shows that exercising in non-neutral temperatures increases energy expenditure as the body works to maintain its core temperature.
Speed skating involves racing around an ice rink at maximum velocity using long, powerful gliding strides. It is one of the most calorie-intensive activities per minute, requiring explosive leg power, aerobic endurance, and exceptional balance. Speed skaters develop massive quadriceps and glutes from the deep, sustained squat position maintained throughout each stride. The sport improves cardiovascular fitness, lower body power, and lateral movement ability that benefits many other sports and activities.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does speed skating burn in Des Moines, IA?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 505 calories during 30 minutes of speed skating in Des Moines. This accounts for Des Moines's continental climate with an average temperature of 51°F, which adjusts calorie burn by +3% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for speed skating is 13.5.
Does Des Moines's climate affect calories burned during speed skating?
Yes. Des Moines has a continental climate averaging 51°F. Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%. This means speed skating in Des Moines burns approximately +3% more calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do speed skating in Des Moines?
Des Moines's moderate climate (avg 51°F) with 7 outdoor-friendly months makes speed skating 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 speed skating in Des Moines?
At your current weight, doing speed skating for 30 minutes in Des Moines: 3 sessions/week burns ~6,560 cal/month (78,780 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~10,933 cal/month (131,300 cal/year). These estimates include the +3% climate adjustment for Des Moines's 51°F average temperature.
Is speed skating popular in Des Moines, IA?
While speed skating may not be the most popular activity in Des Moines (popular activities include running, cycling, weight training), it is still widely practiced. The city offers 6.7 gyms per 100K residents and has a fitness score of 58/100. The continental climate with 7 outdoor months supports speed skating for much of the year.