Which Burns More Calories: Badminton Or Tennis?

do you burn more calories in badminton or tennis

Badminton and tennis are both popular racket sports that offer an excellent cardiovascular workout. But which one helps you burn more calories? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of game, the intensity of play, the duration of the activity, and the individual's weight and fitness level. Singles tennis or badminton will generally burn more calories than doubles, as players have to cover more ground and work harder. For example, a 180-pound person playing singles tennis burns an average of 744 calories per hour, while a doubles match burns an average of 684 calories per hour. Similarly, a person playing singles badminton can expect to burn around 752 calories per hour, while doubles badminton burns an average of 692 calories per hour. Tennis is often considered a more intense and physically demanding sport than badminton, making it a better option for those seeking a higher calorie burn. However, badminton is more accessible and beginner-friendly, requiring less space, equipment, and technical skill.

Characteristics Values
Calories burned per hour (155 lbs individual) Tennis: 504; Badminton: 282
Calories burned per hour (150 lbs individual) Tennis: 400-600; Badminton: 290-422
Calories burned per 30 minutes (155 lbs individual) Badminton: 145
Calories burned per hour (180 lbs individual) Tennis: 744; Badminton: 752
Intensity Tennis is considered a more intense workout than badminton
Cardiovascular benefits Both sports provide excellent cardiovascular benefits
Muscle groups Both sports engage multiple muscle groups and improve muscular strength and endurance
Accessibility Badminton is more accessible and beginner-friendly, requiring less space, equipment, and technical skill
Social aspect Tennis offers more opportunities for social interaction through tournaments and leagues

shunwild

Calories burned per hour for each sport

Both tennis and badminton are popular options for those seeking an exhilarating mix of physical and mental exertion, but which one burns more calories? The answer depends on several factors, including weight, intensity of play, duration, and fitness level.

Tennis is a high-intensity, full-body workout that can help burn calories quickly. The American Council on Exercise estimates that a 180-pound person playing singles tennis burns an average of 744 calories per hour, while a doubles match burns slightly fewer calories at 684 per hour. These estimates suggest that the more intense the game, the higher the calorie burn, as competitive matches result in greater energy expenditure.

Badminton, on the other hand, is often considered a more leisurely sport than tennis. It involves dynamic movements and rapid-fire motions that engage the entire body. While it may be less intense than tennis, it still offers excellent calorie-burning benefits. A person weighing 155 pounds can expect to burn about 290 calories per hour, with estimates ranging from 300 to 500 calories per hour.

However, it's important to note that these estimates vary across different weight categories. For example, a person weighing 125 pounds can burn 145 calories in 30 minutes of badminton, translating to a lower hourly rate than that of a heavier person.

In summary, tennis generally burns more calories per hour than badminton due to its higher intensity and longer rallies. However, both sports offer excellent cardiovascular workouts and provide numerous health benefits beyond calorie burning, including improved muscular strength and endurance, coordination, and mental well-being. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preferences, fitness goals, and accessibility.

shunwild

Factors influencing calorie burn

The number of calories burned during a game of tennis or badminton depends on several factors, including the intensity of play, duration of the activity, and the individual's weight and fitness level.

Intensity

The more intense the game, the higher the calorie burn. Competitive matches or high-intensity training sessions lead to greater energy expenditure compared to casual play. Tennis is often considered a more intense workout than badminton due to its longer rallies and more vigorous movements. Singles matches in both sports are also considered more intense than doubles matches, as players have to cover more ground and put in more work.

Duration

The longer the duration of play, the more calories are burned. Longer matches or extended sessions of either sport will result in a higher total calorie burn. Maintaining a high level of intensity throughout the game and incorporating intervals of high-intensity play can boost calorie burn.

Weight

Individuals with higher body weight tend to burn more calories during exercise as their bodies require more energy to move the additional mass. For example, a person weighing 180 pounds playing singles tennis can expect to burn an average of 744 calories per hour, while a person weighing 155 pounds playing badminton will burn about 290 calories per hour.

Fitness Level

Individuals with higher fitness levels may burn more calories during exercise as their bodies are more efficient at utilizing energy. However, both tennis and badminton offer excellent cardiovascular workouts and can help improve muscular strength, endurance, coordination, and balance.

shunwild

Singles vs doubles

The number of calories burned playing tennis depends on a variety of factors, including the level of intensity, the length of the game, athleticism, skill, and body weight. On average, a person burns 350–750 calories per hour playing tennis.

Playing singles tennis burns more calories than playing doubles. In singles, you have to cover the entire court yourself, which requires more running and lunging. In doubles, you share the court with a partner, reducing the amount of ground you need to cover.

The intensity of a singles match can also be higher, with more sprinting, lunging, jumping, and swinging, all of which burn more calories. The level of intensity depends on the players' skills and how seriously they are playing. A casual game of doubles may involve less intense movements and slower play, reducing the number of calories burned.

However, it's important to note that the number of calories burned can vary depending on individual factors. Body weight plays a role, with heavier individuals burning more calories during play. Additionally, the length of the game matters; a longer match will result in more calories burned, regardless of whether it's singles or doubles.

Some individuals have tracked their calorie burn during singles tennis using phone apps and wearable devices. Their experiences suggest that moderate to high-intensity singles tennis can burn around 600–700 calories per hour, with some reporting up to 750 calories per hour for intense play.

shunwild

Badminton: a leisurely sport?

Badminton and tennis are both popular racket sports that offer excellent cardiovascular workouts and share some similarities. However, when it comes to the intensity of the game, badminton is often considered a more leisurely sport than tennis. This perception may arise from various factors, such as the history of the game, the casual setup of badminton courts in backyards, or the smaller court size compared to tennis. But does this mean that badminton burns fewer calories than tennis?

The number of calories burned during any physical activity, including badminton and tennis, depends on several factors, such as an individual's weight, fitness level, duration of the activity, and the intensity of play. Both sports require dynamic and rapid-fire movements that engage various muscle groups, improving agility, flexibility, balance, and overall coordination. They also promote cardiovascular health and provide mental benefits such as stress relief and improved mood.

When comparing calorie burn, general estimates indicate that a person playing singles tennis can expect to burn slightly more calories than someone playing singles badminton. For example, an individual weighing 155 lbs can burn approximately 504 calories per hour playing tennis and 282-290 calories per hour playing badminton, according to a Harvard study. Similarly, a 180-pound person playing singles tennis burns an average of 744 calories per hour, while the same person playing badminton burns 752 calories per hour.

However, it's important to note that these estimates can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each game. For instance, the type of game, such as singles or doubles, can significantly impact calorie expenditure. In both tennis and badminton, playing singles generally results in higher calorie burn compared to doubles due to the increased intensity and ground covered. Additionally, the duration of play matters, with longer matches or sessions leading to a higher total calorie burn.

While the numbers suggest that tennis may offer a slightly higher calorie burn, it doesn't diminish badminton as an effective and enjoyable way to stay active and healthy. Badminton is a great choice for individuals seeking a more accessible and beginner-friendly sport. It requires less space, equipment, and technical skill, making it suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. Ultimately, the choice between tennis and badminton depends on personal preferences, fitness goals, and accessibility.

Where to Watch Big3 Basketball Tonight

You may want to see also

shunwild

Tennis: a physically demanding sport

Tennis is a physically demanding sport that offers an excellent cardiovascular workout. The number of calories burned during a game of tennis depends on several factors, including the weight of the player, the intensity of the game, and whether it is singles or doubles.

For a 150-pound individual, a moderate-intensity game of singles tennis can burn approximately 400-600 calories per hour. The CDC characterizes singles tennis as a "vigorous-intensity" activity, whereas doubles tennis is considered "moderate intensity." This is because singles players have to cover more ground and put in more work.

A person weighing 150 pounds can expect to burn just over 422 calories per hour playing doubles tennis. In comparison, a person of the same weight playing badminton will burn about 290 calories per hour. This is because badminton is often considered a more leisurely sport, with shorter rallies and less vigorous movements.

Tennis is a full-body workout that requires quick bursts of energy and agility, helping to build strength and endurance. It involves dynamic movements that engage various muscle groups and improve coordination and balance. The sport also offers social and competitive aspects through tournaments and leagues.

Overall, tennis is an excellent choice for those seeking a physically demanding sport with longer rallies and a higher calorie-burning potential.

Frequently asked questions

Playing singles tennis or badminton will generally burn more calories than playing doubles. This is because singles requires you to cover more ground and expend more energy.

Yes, the more intense the game, the higher the calorie burn. Competitive matches and high-intensity training sessions lead to greater energy expenditure compared to casual play.

The longer the duration of play, the more calories are burned. Longer matches or extended sessions naturally result in a higher total calorie burn.

Yes, individuals with higher body weight tend to burn more calories during exercise as their bodies require more energy to move the additional mass.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment