Here’s how many calories you really burn doing 100 sit-ups

Sit-ups are often recommended for burning calories or reducing belly fat -- but just how effective are they? Let’s break it down.

By: Lifestyle Desk
New Delhi | November 3, 2024 08:58 PM IST

2 min read

Sit ups indeed are vital when it comes to contributing to a person’s overall fitness. (Source: Freepik)

Sit-ups are commonly recommended for burning calories and reducing belly fat, but how effective are they? Let’s find out.

How many calories are burned by doing 100 sit-ups?

“The number of calories one can burn is subjective and can vary from person to person. Each one of us has a different body weight and metabolism,” says Dr N Shashi Shekar, Consultant Physiotherapist at CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad.

On average, 100 sit-ups burn about 20-30 calories. Beyond the factors that Dr Shekar mentioned, additional factors like overall fitness and diet can also influence this figure.

So, are sit-ups effective for weight loss?

The calories burned during sit-ups are relatively low compared to exercises like jogging, CrossFit, or cycling. However, that doesn’t mean sit-ups should be skipped in a fitness regimen. Sit-ups remain a valuable exercise for overall fitness.

“Sit-ups are indeed vital for contributing to a person’s overall fitness, but one should not rely solely on a single type of workout to burn calories. It’s always recommended to include multiple exercises to effectively burn calories and manage weight,” says Dr Shekar.

The amount of calories burned by sit-ups is comparatively lower than other kinds of exercises like jogging, cross fit or cycling. (Source: Freepik)

What other exercises would you recommend for efficient calorie burning?

For those looking to burn calories and lose weight more efficiently, Dr. Shekar suggests these exercises:

High-intensity workouts like running, cycling, and swimming, which are excellent for burning calories.
Exercises like burpees and kettlebell swings that support both muscle gain and calorie burning.
Squats and deadlifts to strengthen the overall body, build stamina, and promote calorie loss.

Combining these exercises with a balanced, nutritious diet and adequate rest will significantly improve your fitness and support weight loss.

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