How many calories does playing basketball burn?

Basketball burns 400-800 calories per hour depending on intensity. A 155 lb person burns about 460 calories/hour in a recreational game and 600+ in competitive play. The constant movement and jumping drive high calorie expenditure.

Is basketball a good workout?

Basketball is an excellent full-body workout combining cardio, strength, and agility. Running the court builds endurance, jumping builds leg power, and constant direction changes improve agility. It also develops hand-eye coordination.

How long should I play basketball to lose weight?

Playing basketball for 45-60 minutes 3-4 times weekly supports significant weight loss. Combined with proper nutrition, this can burn 1,500-2,500 extra calories per week—enough for 0.5-0.75 lb weekly weight loss.

Does basketball build muscle?

Basketball builds lean, athletic muscle—especially in legs (from running and jumping), core (from balance and rotation), and shoulders/arms (from shooting and passing). For more muscle, supplement with weight training.

Basketball vs running: which burns more calories?

Intense basketball and running burn similar calories (8-10 MET). Basketball may burn more due to jumping and sprinting. Running is more consistent; basketball intensity varies. Both are excellent cardio options.

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Calories Burned Basketball

Basketball is a high-energy sport that burns 400-800 calories per hour through constant running, jumping, and lateral movement. The combination of cardio and anaerobic bursts makes it excellent for fitness. Playing regularly improves agility, coordination, and cardiovascular health.

~228 calories

per 30 min at 155 lbs

Calorie Calculator

Your Weight (lbs)

Duration (minutes)

Intensity

You will burn approximately

228 calories

Basketball for 30 minutes at 155 lbs

Calories Burned by Body Weight

Calories burned per 30 minutes of basketball at moderate intensity (MET 6.5)

Body Weight	Calories Burned
120 lbs (54 kg)	177 cal
140 lbs (64 kg)	206 cal
155 lbs (70 kg)Reference	228 cal
170 lbs (77 kg)	251 cal
185 lbs (84 kg)	273 cal
200 lbs (91 kg)	295 cal
220 lbs (100 kg)	324 cal