How Many Calories Does Mowing The Lawn Burn?

By Jamey Kramar Updated June 30, 2022

Is mowing the lawn good exercise?

How many calories do you burn?

Does your heart rate go up?

Is it better than walking for fitness?

Today, we will answer all those questions to make it known if lawn mowing is great for your health.

Quick-Answer: How many calories does mowing the lawn burn?

You can burn between 230 and 370 calories per hour of mowing.
Exact amount will depend on your height and weight and the type of mower you are using.
Increase your calories burned per hour to the max by using a push mower and mowing at a fast walking pace.
Further increase your calories by using a grass catch bag and emptying it regularly.
Further increase by raking and bagging any leaves before starting mowing.

Is Mowing The Lawn Good Exercise?

The truth is that there are a lot of factors that go into how many calories you burn while mowing the lawn.

For example, the type of lawn mower you use can make a big difference. A gas-powered lawn mower that is not self-propelled will obviously require more energy to use than a lighter self propelled electric one.

Likewise, a riding lawn mower will require even less effort than a push mower. In terms of the actual act of mowing, the heavier the mower and the more challenging the terrain, the more calories you’ll burn.

And of course, your own body weight and fitness level will play a role in how many calories you burn as well. All things considered, it’s safe to say that mowing the lawn can be a great way to burn some extra calories and get some cardio exercise.

How Many Calories Are Burned Per Hour?

Let’s quickly take a look how many calories you burn per hour doing other activities:

Walking slow: 150 calories per hour
Walking fast: 250 calories per hour
Mowing the lawn: 300 calories per hour
Hiking: 430 calories per hour
Swimming: 450 calories per hour
Mountain biking: 600 calories per hour
Shovelling snow: 600 calories per hour
Jogging: 700 calories per hour

Mowing the lawn is often seen as a chore, but it can actually be a great way to get some exercise. While the number of calories burned will vary depending on factors such as weight and intensity, a recent study found that an average person can burn up to 370 calories by mowing the lawn for just one hour.

In addition to providing a workout, mowing the lawn also has a number of other benefits. It can help to improve mental health by reducing stress levels, and it can also provide an opportunity to spend time outdoors and get some fresh air. For those looking to boost their fitness level, mowing the lawn may be a great way to start.

If You Have A Large Yard, You Could Burn Up To 400 Calories In An Hour Doing Yard Work

If you have a large yard, you could burn up to 400 calories in an hour by doing yard work in addition to mowing. Thing like lifting rocks to move them and using a shovel to dig holes for plants. All that adds to the calories burned doing yard work.

Even if you don’t have a lot of land to tend to, you can still get a great workout by spending just 30 minutes doing some basic gardening tasks. And, it’s not just your physical health that will benefit from time spent outdoors.

Research has shown that spending time in nature can help improve mental well-being and reduce stress levels.

So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your health and wellbeing, consider getting your hands dirty in the garden. You may be surprised at how good it makes you feel.

How Many Calories Are Burned On Average For A Person Of A Certain Weight & Age Group

A 170-pound man in his 20s will burn about 130 calories by mowing the lawn for 30 minutes.
A 130-pound women in her 20s will burn about 110 calories.
The same weight man or women in their 60s will burn fewer calories because of their slower metabolic activity.

Use A Push Mower Instead Of A Riding Mower To Add Calories Burned

Did you know that the type of lawn mower you use can have an impact on the number of calories you burn? That’s right, if you want to maximize your calorie-burning potential, ditch the riding mower and opt for a push mower instead.

Here’s why:

A riding mower can burn as few as 100 calories in 60 minutes (you are just sitting there), while a push mower can torch up to 370 calories in the same amount of time.

And that’s not all.

In addition to burning more calories, push mowing also gives you a better workout. It works your legs, arms, and core, and it gets your heart rate up. So next time you’re tackling the lawn, ditch the riding mower and go for a push mower instead. Your body will thank you.

How Much Does Mowing Raise Your Heart Rate?

There are 5 zones of heart rate training. Lawn mowing would be zone 2 level of heart rate for most people.

If you are 30 years old then zone 2 would mean your heart rate is between 114 beats per minutes and 133. The more fit this 30 year old the lower the heart rate would stay.

For very fit individuals you may never leave zone 1.

Heart rate training zones:

Zone 5 (90% of max heart rate) – max heart rate and would only be achieved at max exertion like sprinting.
Zone 4 (80 to 90% of max HR) – Hard work
Zone 3 (70 – 80%) – Moderate.
Zone 2 (60 – 70%) – This is a light workout.
Zone 1 (50 – 60%) – This a very light level of exercise like walking or cycling on a slight down hill.
Zone 0 (less than 50% of max) – This is basically resting HR. Maybe a very light walking would stay in this zone.

The Health Benefits Of Mowing The Lawn:

For many of us, mowing the lawn is simply a chore that needs to be done in order to keep our yards looking neat and tidy. However, lawn care can actually have some significant health benefits.

Improves Mood & Mental Wellbeing

For starters, mowing the lawn provides a great opportunity to get some fresh air and sunshine. Mowing the lawn also requires you to walk back and forth. This combination can help to improve your mood and mental wellbeing.

Moderate Exercise

In addition, lawn care can be a great form of moderate exercise. Depending on how big your yard is, mowing the lawn can burn anywhere from 150 to 200 calories per half hour. As a result, it can be a great way to add some extra physical activity to your day.

Gives A Sense Of Accomplishment

Finally, taking care of your lawn can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Having a well-manicured lawn can increase your sense of satisfaction with your home and provide you with a sense of accomplishment.

Helps To Reduce Stress Level

What’s more, mowing the lawn can also help reduce stress levels. The rhythmic motion of pushing a lawnmower can be calming, and being outside in nature has been shown to have a soothing effect on the mind. So next time you’re feeling stressed, consider taking a break to mow the lawn. You might just find yourself feeling more relaxed afterward.

Helpful Tips For Reducing The Number Of Calories Burned While Mowing The Lawn:

Hey, some people want to make mowing as easy as possible – so here’s some tips to be more efficient. If you’re looking to reduce the number of calories you burn while mowing the lawn, there are a few helpful tips you can follow.

Try to mow in straight lines rather than back and forth. This will help you avoid wasting any energy by making unnecessary turns.
Take your time and don’t try to hurry through the process. Rushing will only make you more likely to make mistakes, which can lead to extra calories being burned.
Also, focus on your breathing and stay well-hydrated while you work.