Calculate calories burned doing push-ups from your rep count, body weight, and pace using MET-based estimation.
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Pace
23.3
Calories burned
0.467
Cal / rep
2 min 30 s
Duration
| Pace | Normal (3 s / rep) |
| MET value | 8 (vigorous calisthenics) |
| Calories per rep | 0.467 kcal |
Also in Strength & Performance
Fitness & Exercise
Push-ups are one of the most accessible bodyweight exercises, requiring no equipment and engaging the chest, shoulders, and triceps. While the calorie burn from a single set is modest, high-volume push-up workouts can contribute meaningfully to daily energy expenditure.
The MET method converts metabolic intensity to calories via the formula: Calories = MET × weight (kg) × time (hours). Since push-ups do not have a direct duration input, the calculator derives duration from your rep count and the selected pace (seconds per rep). Faster paces compress the same rep count into less time, resulting in fewer calories despite the same mechanical work.
Slow (4 s/rep) reflects a controlled tempo with pause at the bottom. Normal (3 s/rep) is a standard training cadence. Fast (2 s/rep) suits higher-rep sets or military-style testing. Max effort (1.5 s/rep) represents near-maximal speed without sacrificing range of motion.
Frequently asked questions
More reps at the same pace means more total time under tension. Since calorie expenditure scales with duration, doubling the reps doubles the calories burned (assuming the same pace and body weight).
The MET value of 8.0 applies to vigorous calisthenics generally. Modified push-ups (on knees) will burn somewhat fewer calories; plyometric push-ups may burn slightly more. The calculator provides a representative estimate for standard push-ups.
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