Push-Ups Calories Burned Calculator
Measure the energy you burn with the world's most popular bodyweight exercise.
Session Details
Burn Statistics
Enter details to see your results
How Many Calories Do Push-Ups Burn?
A 15-minute vigorous push-up session burns approximately 130-180 calories. Because they engage the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core simultaneously, push-ups are one of the most efficient bodyweight exercises for metabolic health.
Push-ups are the gold standard for assessing upper body muscular endurance and strength. Unlike isolated machine exercises, push-ups require significant core stabilization to maintain a straight spine, which increases the total energy demand of the movement.
Our calculator uses 2024 Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) indices specifically for calisthenics. Push-up intensity ranges from MET 3.5 for modified pace to MET 10.0 for explosive plyometric variations. This places vigorous push-ups on par with bench pressing or swimming laps.
Factors Influencing Push-Up Calorie Burn
Leverage and Angle
Decline push-ups are harder and burn more calories than incline or wall push-ups due to increased load on the shoulders.
Repetition Speed
Performing reps explosively (plyometrics) requires more fast-twitch muscle fiber recruitment and energy.
Time Under Tension
Slower, controlled reps with a pause at the bottom increase the metabolic cost of the repetition.
Body Weight
The heavier you are, the more external resistance your muscles must overcome, leading to a higher burn.
Push-Up Burn Projections
Calories by Session Length (70 kg / 154 lbs)
| Duration | Light (3.5) | Moderate (5.0) | Vigorous (7.0) | Plyo (10.0) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | 21 | 31 | 43 | 61 |
| 10 min | 43 | 61 | 86 | 123 |
| 15 min | 64 | 92 | 129 | 184 |
| 20 min | 86 | 123 | 172 | 245 |
| 30 min | 129 | 184 | 257 | 368 |
Calories by Your Weight (15 min Moderate Push-Ups)
Push-Ups vs. Other Activities (15 min, 70 kg)
| 🤸Push-Ups (Moderate) | 92 cal |
| 🏋️Pull-Ups (Vigorous) | 129 cal |
| 🦾Bench Press (Moderate) | 92 cal |
| 🧘Plank (Typical) | 46 cal |
| 🔥Bodyweight Cardio | 184 cal |
| 🏊Swimming (Laps) | 129 cal |
Data source: 2024 Revised Compendium of Physical Activities.
Push-Ups FAQ
Standardized & Verified By
Manish KumarCertified Fitness Professional (NASM) • Calisthenics Expert • Specialist in bodyweight mechanics and metabolic training with 10+ years experience.