How Many Calories Does Longboarding Burn?

Similar to other forms of exercise, longboarding can aid fitness maintenance by burning calories. Push harder, burn more calories—it’s as simple as that. But there’s more to longboarding than just the caloric burn.

For those seeking a fun, dynamic way to get in shape or lose weight, longboarding can be an exciting avenue. All it takes is the right gear, a dash of determination, and a pinch of passion to start your calorie-burning journey on a longboard.

If you’ve ever wondered just how much of a workout you’re getting from this thrilling sport, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s delve deeper into the details.

How Many Calories Does Longboarding Burn Per Hour?

On average, a person weighing around 155 pounds can expect to burn approximately 250 to 300 calories per hour of casual longboarding. However, a number of variables might cause this number to rise.

Intense longboarding, involving high-speed downhill rides or frequent tricks, can ramp up the calorie burn to 600-700 calories per hour. Your weight, the intensity of your longboarding, and your metabolism all play a crucial role in determining how many calories you burn.

Is Longboarding a Good Workout?

Beyond the question, “How Many Calories Does Longboarding Burn?” you might wonder if longboarding is a good exercise or is skateboarding cardio.

To put it simply, longboarding is a fantastic cardio workout. It engages your core muscles and lower back as you steer your board, and your calves and quads come into play as you push off for speed.

While muscle development won’t rival that of targeted gym workouts, the fun factor of longboarding adds an entirely new dimension to the fitness equation.

Imagine cruising down city streets or along country roads, each ride a unique adventure. One day, you might discover an exciting new path; another day, you might stumble upon a hidden gem of a restaurant.

While longboarding won’t sculpt your body like a heavy weightlifting session, it’s an enjoyable way to supplement your fitness routine.

For instance, consider splitting your time between weight training and longboarding to add variety to your workouts. A Harvard study estimated that longboarding burns 4-7 calories per minute, making it a solid choice for mixing up your exercise regimen.

Does Skateboarding Build Muscle?

While it’s not typically considered a traditional strength-training exercise, skateboarding, including longboarding, can indeed help build muscle. The constant push-off action predominantly works your lower body muscles including your calves, hamstrings, and quads.

Your core also gets a significant workout as it is engaged to maintain balance while you ride. Arm and shoulder muscles get involved when you perform tricks or maneuvers. So while it may not build muscle in the same way weightlifting does, skateboarding can definitely contribute to a toned and fit physique.

Health Benefits of Longboarding

Following are the health benefits you get from longboarding even unknowingly:

Cardio and Heart Health

Longboarding gets your heart pumping, strengthening your cardiovascular system, improving lung capacity, and boosting stamina. You can integrate longboarding into your daily routine, like commuting to work. Light, portable models like the Biscuit are ideal for this. Consider using a Skate Pole to amp up the cardio intensity, challenging your whole body and burning more calories.

Weight Loss

Hopping on your longboard for an hour can burn approximately 300 calories for a 125-pound person and 444 calories for a 185-pound person. Regular longboarding can result in a weekly burn of 2000 – 3000 calories! Just remember, maintaining a balanced diet will accelerate your weight loss journey and help you stay toned.

Strength and Stamina

Longboarding can help you strengthen your entire body. Your legs, the primary actors in longboarding, gain strength as you balance, push, brake, and turn. You’ll notice tightening in your glutes and quads once you start longboarding.

When you paddle down the road, various muscles engage:

You’ll even see improvements in your core strength, which helps maintain balance and execute maneuvers on your board.

Flexibility

Besides answering the question, “Does longboarding burn calories,” it’s worth noting that it also promotes flexibility. This is a crucial, yet frequently disregarded, factor in fitness. A flexible body is more dynamic and tends to stay youthful longer. Flexibility also helps prevent injuries, both on and off the board.

Coordination and Balance

Another remarkable advantage of longboarding is coordination and balance. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to stand on one leg, longboarding could be your golden ticket to improved stability. The sport naturally demands a high degree of coordination and balance, and you’ll feel the challenge the moment you step on the board. The act of shifting your weight from one leg to another while maneuvering the board is a skill that will translate into better overall balance in your day-to-day life.

Mental Health Boost

Finally, let’s not forget the mental health benefits of longboarding. The sense of freedom, the wind in your hair, the thrill of speed – all these aspects contribute to an overall sense of well-being. Longboarding can be a great way to improve mental health by relieving stress. After all, physical health and mental health are deeply interconnected, and taking care of one often benefits the other.

Safety Considerations While Longboarding

While longboarding can be a lot of fun and a great way to burn calories, safety should always be your top priority.

Sure, here are some crucial safety considerations while longboarding:

Wear Safety Gear

This includes a helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads, and closed-toe shoes. Some riders may also choose to wear gloves and full body armor, especially when downhill riding.

Check Your Equipment

Always check your longboard for any issues before starting. Ensure the wheels are spinning correctly, the board has no cracks, and the trucks are tight.

Understand Your Skills

Don’t attempt tricks or routes beyond your skill level. Practice and gradually build up to more difficult maneuvers.

Learn How to Fall

Falling is inevitable in longboarding. Knowing how to fall correctly can reduce the risk of injury.

Know the Terrain

Be aware of the surface you’re longboarding on. Keep an eye out for obstacles like pebbles, potholes, cracks, etc. that could make you lose control.

Follow Traffic Rules

If you’re longboarding on streets, understand and follow local traffic laws. Give drivers and pedestrians a heads-up by using hand gestures.

Visibility

Make sure you are visible to others, especially in low-light conditions. Reflective clothing or lights can help.

Stay Alert

Always be conscious of your surroundings. Watch for cars, pedestrians, and other obstacles to stay safe and avoid any injuries.

Learn to Stop

Practice different stopping techniques, like foot braking and sliding, until you can confidently stop your longboard under various conditions.

Avoid Distractions

Don’t wear headphones while longboarding. Your ability to hear cars, people, and other potential dangers is crucial.

Conclusion

Longboarding isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. It’s an adventure on wheels that helps you explore your surroundings while getting fit. It is an enjoyable workout that does not bother me. It’s a stress reliever that brings joy. So, if you’re pondering the question “How Many Calories Does Longboarding Burn?” know that it does, and so much more.

It’s time to step on a board and start your own longboarding journey. So, next time you hope on your longboard, remember — not only are you having a great time, but you’re also burning calories, building muscle, improving your balance, and boosting your cardiovascular health. Longboarding truly is a fun and effective way to stay fit.