Skateboarding Calories Burned: Cruising, Tricks & MET
Calculate skateboarding calories by body weight, active riding time, cruising, longboarding, tricks, skatepark sessions and stop-and-go practice.
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Skateboarding calories: quick answer and calculator
At your current setting of 160 lb and skateboarding at MET 5, choose a common duration or jump straight to the calculator.
15 min
95
kcal
30 min
191
kcal
60 min
381
kcal
Search intent brief
Skateboarding calories by cruising, tricks and active riding time
Skateboarding calorie burn depends on whether the session is relaxed cruising, longboarding, commuting, skatepark tricks, repeated push starts, hill work, or stop-and-go practice.
Selected estimate
MET 5
Skateboarding
160 lb, 30 min
191
calories
160 lb, 60 min
381
calories
95 kg, 30 min
249
calories
When to use this calculator
Best for skatepark sessions, street skating, longboarding, commuting segments, trick practice, and active riding blocks where waiting, filming, and recovery time can be separated.
Source checkpoint
Source checkpoint: Calorique uses board-sport MET estimates and asks users to count active riding, pushing, carving, and trick attempts rather than the full hangout time at a park.
Skateboarding Calorie Calculator
Skateboarding for 30 minutes
191 kcal
MET 5 · 73 kg · 381 kcal/hour
Quick Answer: Skateboarding Calories for 15, 30 and 60 Minutes
Skateboarding calorie burn depends on whether the session is relaxed cruising, longboarding, commuting, skatepark tricks, repeated push starts, hill work, or stop-and-go practice. Using skateboarding at MET 5, your current 160 lb setting burns about 95 calories in 15 minutes, 191 calories in 30 minutes, and 381 calories in 60 minutes.
15 minutes
95 kcal
Skateboarding at MET 5 for your selected weight of 160 lbs.
30 minutes
191 kcal
Common workout benchmark for skateboarding using active time only.
60 minutes
381 kcal
One-hour estimate at MET 5; subtract long rests or inactive coaching time.
160 lb, 30 minutes
191 kcal
Standard comparison row for skateboarding at MET 5.
These are planning estimates from the MET equation. Count only active work time when long rests separate sets or rounds.
Calories Burned by Duration (Skateboarding)
How many calories you burn during skateboarding at different durations, based on your current weight of 160 lbs.
Calories Burned Skateboarding by Body Weight
The table below shows estimated calories burned during skateboarding for different body weights. Heavier individuals burn more calories because moving a larger body requires more energy. Metric benchmark: a 95 kg person burns about 249 kcal in 30 minutes or 499 kcal in 60 minutes at the selected MET value of 5.
| Body Weight | 30 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| 120 lbs (54 kg) | 143 kcal | 286 kcal |
| 140 lbs (64 kg) | 167 kcal | 333 kcal |
| 160 lbs (73 kg) | 191 kcal | 381 kcal |
| 180 lbs (82 kg) | 214 kcal | 429 kcal |
| 200 lbs (91 kg) | 238 kcal | 476 kcal |
| 210 lbs (95 kg) | 250 kcal | 500 kcal |
| 220 lbs (100 kg) | 262 kcal | 524 kcal |
| 250 lbs (113 kg) | 298 kcal | 595 kcal |
What 191 Calories Looks Like in Food
After 30 minutes of skateboarding, you would have burned the equivalent of:
2.4x Egg
78 cal each
2x Apple
95 cal each
1.8x Banana
105 cal each
1.5x Glass of Wine
125 cal each
1.4x Can of Soda
140 cal each
0.9x Bowl of Rice
206 cal each
About Skateboarding and Calorie Burn
Skateboarding is an action sport that provides a surprisingly effective workout combining cardiovascular exercise, balance training, and lower body strength. The constant pushing motion works the legs while tricks and maneuvers engage the core and require explosive power. Skateboarding improves proprioception, coordination, and flexibility. Whether cruising, doing tricks at a skatepark, or riding a longboard for transportation, skateboarding burns significant calories while developing functional fitness.
Understanding the MET Value
Skateboarding has a MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) value of 5. This means skateboarding burns 5 times more energy than sitting at rest. The formula used is: calories = MET x 3.5 x body weight in kg / 200 x minutes. For example, a 70 kg person doing skateboarding for 1 hour would burn approximately 368 calories. MET values are sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities and should be treated as useful estimates, not exact lab measurements.
Tips to Maximize Your Skateboarding Calorie Burn
- Wear a helmet and protective pads, especially when learning new tricks
- Practice balance by riding slowly before attempting tricks or higher speeds
- Push with your back foot while keeping your front foot stable on the board
- Stretch your ankles and knees before skating to prevent injuries
- Start at a skatepark on smaller ramps and features before progressing
Muscles Worked During Skateboarding
Category
Outdoor Activities
Intensity
Moderate
MET Value
5
Equipment
Skateboard, Helmet, Pads
How We Calculate Calories Burned During Skateboarding
Our skateboarding calorie calculator uses the standard MET oxygen-cost equation, a common method used in exercise science and public-health research. For this calculation we use skateboarding at MET 5. The formula is:
Calories = MET x 3.5 x Weight (kg) / 200 x Minutes
For skateboarding with a MET value of 5, the calculation works as follows: If you weigh 160 lbs (72.6 kg) and do skateboarding for 30 minutes (0.5 hours), you would burn approximately 191 calories.
Keep in mind that actual calorie expenditure can vary by 15-20% based on factors like fitness level, exercise intensity, environmental conditions, and individual metabolic differences. The selected MET value of 5 for skateboarding represents an average across typical conditions and effort levels. Your actual burn may be higher or lower depending on how vigorously you perform the activity.
Skateboarding vs. Other Activities
See how skateboarding compares to other popular exercises in terms of calorie burn for a 160-lb person exercising for 30 minutes.
Similar Activities
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MET 2 · Low · Outdoor Activities
~76 cal / 30 min (160 lbs)
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MET 3.5 · Low · Outdoor Activities
~133 cal / 30 min (160 lbs)
Horseback Riding
MET 5.5 · Moderate · Outdoor Activities
~210 cal / 30 min (160 lbs)
Walking
MET 3.5 · Low · Cardio
~133 cal / 30 min (160 lbs)
Brisk Walking
MET 5 · Moderate · Cardio
~191 cal / 30 min (160 lbs)
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View All ActivitiesMethodology & Calorie Burn Data Sources
How we calculate skateboarding calorie burn: The MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) value of 5 for skateboarding comes from the Compendium of Physical Activities (Ainsworth et al.), a standardized reference used in exercise and public-health research. Calorie expenditure follows the formula: kcal/min = (MET x 3.5 x weight in kg) / 200, then multiplied by duration.
- MET value for skateboarding: 5 (low MET = light, 3-6 = moderate, >6 = vigorous per ACSM classification).
- Body weight scaling: heavier individuals burn more calories per minute at the same activity. Our calculator adjusts based on your input weight.
- Duration scaling: linear with time at constant intensity. Real workouts may include warm-up, cool-down, and rest periods affecting average MET.
- Individual variation: actual burn varies ±10-20% based on fitness level, body composition, exercise efficiency, and metabolic rate.
- EPOC (afterburn effect): high-intensity activities may burn additional calories post-workout, but that extra burn varies widely and is not included in baseline figures.
Authoritative US health/fitness sources:
- 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities - activity categories and MET values
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans - federal activity guidance
- CDC adult physical activity overview - activity recommendations for adults
Health Disclaimer: Calorie burn estimates are general guidance, not precise measurements. Wearable devices (Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin) using heart rate provide more personalized estimates. Always consult a physician before starting an exercise program, especially if you have heart conditions, diabetes, or are pregnant. Never use exercise to "earn" food in a way that disrupts a healthy relationship with eating.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · MET values per Compendium of Physical Activities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does skateboarding burn in 30 minutes?
A person weighing 160 lbs (73 kg) burns approximately 191 calories during 30 minutes of skateboarding. This is based on a MET value of 5 for skateboarding. Heavier individuals burn more calories, and lighter individuals burn fewer.
What is the MET value of skateboarding?
The default MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) value for skateboarding is 5, while the selected training style uses MET 5. This means skateboarding burns 5 times more energy than sitting at rest. MET values are established by the Compendium of Physical Activities and represent average energy expenditure for the activity.
Is skateboarding good for weight loss?
Skateboarding has a selected MET value of 5, which means it burns a moderate amount of calories. A 160-lb person burns about 381 calories per hour. While not the highest calorie-burning activity, consistency is key for weight loss. Regular skateboarding combined with a calorie-controlled diet can contribute to gradual, healthy weight loss.
How does body weight affect calories burned during skateboarding?
Body weight significantly impacts calorie burn during skateboarding. At the selected MET value of 5, a 120-lb person burns about 143 calories in 30 minutes, while a 250-lb person burns approximately 298 calories in the same time. This is because moving a heavier body requires more energy, regardless of the activity being performed.
What muscles does skateboarding work?
Skateboarding primarily works the Quadriceps, Calves, Core, Ankles, and Glutes. Regular practice helps strengthen these muscle groups and improve overall fitness.
Should I log a whole skatepark visit as skateboarding?
Usually no. Count active riding and trick-attempt minutes. Waiting turns, filming, talking, sitting, or long recovery breaks lower the average session intensity and should not be logged as continuous skateboarding.
How many calories does skateboarding burn per hour?
At the selected MET value of 5, a 160-lb person burns about 381 calories per hour during skateboarding. A 120-lb person burns about 286 calories per hour, while a 200-lb person burns about 476 calories per hour.