Definition

What is MET :

A MET is a ratio of your working metabolic rate relative to your resting metabolic rate. Metabolic rate is the rate of energy expended per unit of time. It is one way to describe the intensity of an exercise or activity.

METs = metabolic equivalent of task

One MET is approximately 3.5 milliliters of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute.

Formula

Calories Burned = METs × 3.5 × (Body weight in kilograms)200

Example

Your weight is 160 pounds (approximately 73 kg) and you play singles tennis, which has a MET value of 8.

The formula would work as follows:

= 8 × 3.5 × 73200

= 10.2 calories per minute.

= 10.2 × 60 minutes = 613 calories

So, if you play tennis for an hour, You will burn about 613 calories.

Resources :

For more information, we recommend visiting The Compendium of Physical Activities website. The Compendium was developed in the late 1980s for use in epidemiologic and surveillance studies to standardize the MET intensities used in various physical activity questionnaires.

Our calculator is equipped with the most up-to-date values for each of the activities listed. The comprehensive list of activities, descriptions and MET values can be found here.