Calories Burned Surfing in Des Moines, IA
Calculate how many calories you burn doing surfing in Des Moines, Iowa. Adjusted for Des Moines's continental climate (avg 51°F). MET: 6. Climate adjustment: +3%.
Surfing Calorie Calculator for Des Moines
Surfing in Des Moines for 30 minutes
224 kcal
MET 6 · 73 kg · 449 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 surfing 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 ~224 calories in 30 minutes instead of the standard ~218 calories.
Calorie Burn by Duration (Des Moines)
How many calories you burn during surfing at different durations in Des Moines's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Des Moines Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 109 kcal | 112 kcal | +3 |
| 30 minutes | 218 kcal | 224 kcal | +6 |
| 45 minutes | 327 kcal | 336 kcal | +9 |
| 60 minutes | 435 kcal | 449 kcal | +14 |
| 90 minutes | 653 kcal | 673 kcal | +20 |
| 120 minutes | 871 kcal | 897 kcal | +26 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing surfing for 30 minutes per session in Des Moines, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
2,910
calories per month
34,944 cal/year
= ~10.0 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
4,850
calories per month
58,240 cal/year
= ~16.6 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
Yoga
MET 4 · Low to Moderate
~150 cal / 30 min
Rollerblading
MET 7.5 · High
~280 cal / 30 min
Pilates
MET 3 · Low to Moderate
~112 cal / 30 min
Football
MET 8 · High
~299 cal / 30 min
Stair Climbing
MET 9 · High
~336 cal / 30 min
Ice Fishing
MET 2 · Low
~75 cal / 30 min
Cross-Country Skiing
MET 9 · High
~336 cal / 30 min
Jogging
MET 7 · Moderate
~262 cal / 30 min
Surfing in Other Iowa Cities
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Surfing 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
= 6 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.03
The MET value of 6 for surfing 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.
Surfing is a full-body workout that combines paddling (which builds upper body and cardiovascular endurance), popping up (which requires explosive core and arm strength), and riding waves (which develops balance and leg strength). Most of a surfing session is spent paddling, which provides sustained cardiovascular exercise. Riding waves engages the entire body in a dynamic balance challenge. Surfing also provides the mental health benefits of ocean immersion and connection with nature.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
Calculate calories for any activity or check your total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does surfing burn in Des Moines, IA?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 224 calories during 30 minutes of surfing 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 surfing is 6.
Does Des Moines's climate affect calories burned during surfing?
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 surfing 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 surfing in Des Moines?
Des Moines's moderate climate (avg 51°F) with 7 outdoor-friendly months makes surfing 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 surfing in Des Moines?
At your current weight, doing surfing for 30 minutes in Des Moines: 3 sessions/week burns ~2,910 cal/month (34,944 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~4,850 cal/month (58,240 cal/year). These estimates include the +3% climate adjustment for Des Moines's 51°F average temperature.
Is surfing popular in Des Moines, IA?
While surfing 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 surfing for much of the year.