Many people turn to activities or sports they love to try to lose weight or to get back into shape. Basketball is an excellent option to burn calories and establish a healthy lifestyle.
The amount of calories burned during a game of basketball is no joke. The amount of running, jumping and overall movement is up there with most sports. Playing for an hour or two at a time can produce some impressive results.
When this is done multiple times during a week, one can see why many basketball players are lean and do not carry much excess fat on their body.
Basketball is a game that many people play as a kid, but then get away from the joys of playing basketball as adult commitments such as work, parenting and other responsibilities get in the way.
However, the good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for adult leagues or pick up games at your local gym to play and burn those calories.
How Many Calories Burned Playing Basketball
For a full court game, where a player is moving throughout and active in the game, one can expect to burn around 710 calories for a 185 pounds person. This number could be higher or lower depending on your current weight and the amount of movement and effort you put forth during a game. For a half court game, one can expect to be in the 500 calories per round range.
Below we will provide a comprehensive overview of calories burned playing basketball and discuss the following topics:
- Factors Impacting Calories Burned Playing Basketball
- Can You Lose Weight Playing Basketball
- Why People Enjoy Playing Basketball
- How Does Basketball Stack up Against other Activities or Sports (Chart Included)
- Where to Play
- Related Questions
- Recommend Gear
Factors Impacting Calories Burned Playing Basketball
Current Weight
There are a number of factors that influence the overall number of calories burned while playing basketball. The one number impact is your current weight.
The more you weigh, the more exertion it takes to play the game and more than likely the more calories you will burn. Someone that is weighing in at 250 pounds might burn close to 1000 calories playing basketball for an hour.
Game Format
The full court 5 on 5 game is the best way to maximize the number of calories one would burn playing basketball. This is due to the up and down nature and the amount of running that it takes.
This is taking into account that you are hustling and aren’t walking up and down the floor. Many pick up basketball games can be pretty sloppy if someone is “cherry picking” or hanging back and not making much effort to go play defense.
A 3 on 3 half court game can still burn a decent amount of calories and the major benefit for only playing a half court game is that you might be able to play for an extended period of time. You are still moving around and being active in the game.
It still requires hustle, quick spurts and then jumping at key times. Even something as simple as shooting around and working on layups can bring about a decent calorie burn, it just doesn’t add up as fast a full court 5 on 5 game where people are hustling back and forth on the offensive and defensive end.
Effort
The more effort you put forth and the more you hustle, the more calories you are going to burn. If you walk up and down the floor, you will burn less calories. These numbers are based on a person that is giving a quality effort. Make sure you are maximizing your effort if you are trying to maximize your calorie burn playing basketball.
Can You Lose Weight Playing Basketball
Any time someone is trying to lose weight, one of the key factors or measurements is if a calorie deficit is created. This means are you burning more calories than you are consuming each day.
The single pound of body fat takes 3,500 calories. If you are consuming 2,000 calories a day, but burning 750 playing basketball for an hour each day, you are making good progress towards creating a calorie deficit, which if sustained over time will result in potential weight loss.
If you leave the basketball court and go consume 2,000 calories in wings and beverages, you pretty much just wasted your calories burned during your basketball game. We would recommend an app like myfitnesspal to monitor your food intake and your calories burned.
Why People Enjoy Playing Basketball
Basketball is simply fun. It is challenging and requires someone to be able to move at a decent pace. At the end of the day, many people enjoy the competition and attempt to reach their full potential with their performance every time they play.
The game is quick paced and the ball is frequently moving throughout the court. There is nothing better than draining a 3 pointer from long distance of getting the steal and a breakaway layup. The game is challenging and demanding provides some awesome exercise opportunities. Here are the our top 5 reasons we love the game of basketball:
- Fast Paced – The ball is always moving, there is very little standing around.
- Competition against the other team – It is always fun to try to win.
- Great Exercise – Who wouldn’t want to burn 750 calories doing something that we love.
- Skill Set – It takes a special skill set to be good, but it can still be enjoyed by people of all ability levels.
- It is Fun! It reminds us of our childhood when we played backyard basketball all of the time and competed against other kids in the neighborhood. It is always cool to play on a 7 or 8 foot rim and throw down some fun dunks or alley oops.
How Does Basketball Stack up Against other Activities or Sports (Chart Included)
We have often wondered how basketball stacks up against other acitives or sports. Recently, due to the winter weather, I have been playing a lot of racquetball.
In my most recent match we played for 50 minutes and I ran a total of 3.00 miles accorind to my Garmin vivoactive 3 watch that I use. This is a great watch to monitor information like steps taken, calories burned, heart rate and total distance travelled.
I can also log my food consumed and track my calorie deficit throughout the week. It is truly something special and also works great on the golf course, which is another sport that I absolutely love. Whether I am running, riding my bike, walking 18 holes, playing racquetball, or lifting weights – I receive great feedback on the amount of energy I am exerting and tracks my daily workouts through an impressive app.
Basketball is right up there with the maximum calories burned during an hour. Running brings about 888 calories burned in an hour where basketball is in the lower 700s. Not bad, considering that one is probably having a great deal of more fun when compared to running.
I find through my Garmin watch that I burn a similar amount of calories when playing basketball and racquetball. Carrying my golf bag is another impressive calorie burn per hour at 488. Less than basketball, but still pretty impressive if you are seeking to create a calorie deficit and lose weight.
| Activity | Calories Burn Per Hour (Based on 185 Pound Person) |
| Weight Lifting | 266 |
| Bicycling | 622 |
| Rowing | 622 |
| Bowling | 266 |
| Volleyball Competitive | 356 |
| Golf: carrying clubs | 488 |
| Dancing | 532 |
| Basketball | 710 |
| Running: 6 mph | 888 |
| Mowing Lawn: push, power | 400 |
Where to Play
You typically have three great options to find a game. The first option is at your local YMCA or local fitness center if they have a basketball court. Often there are times on their calendar for open gym time. Show up and get your name listed as someone looking for a game.
Many times winners will stay on and the next 5 will take on the winners. This is a great way to get back into the game. A second option is your local park, check out the park in the evenings or on the weekends and see when games are being played.
A third option is to join a league. There are many adult leagues in most cities. Ask around and see what the options are!
Related Questions…
Can I play basketball everyday?
The answer is it depends. If you are younger and in great shape, then sure you could play everyday. If you haven’t played in many years, you might want to consider easing yourself back into the routine. Growing up there were always a great deal of older men that played several times a week at our local YMCA. They were able to handle playing 3 to 4 times a week.
What are the long term benefits of playing basketball?
Staying in shape and active can help you not only physically, but can give you a mental edge in your career. There has been plenty of research on the benefits of working out and staying fit.
Our goal at sportswarrior365 is to be able to move around and be active well into our 70s and 80s. When I look at people who are active at those ages, they were active when they were younger and have maintained a quality physical activity routine and have eaten a healthy diet.
What are some lower impact options?
Let’s face it, the game of baseball can be a bit difficult on the knees, hips and ankles. Working in some swimming or biking might help offset the pounding that basketball can have on your legs. Ultimately, you have to listen to your body and make the proper adjustments.
Can I still improve my basketball skill at an older age?
We believe in lifelong learning and development. Ball handling is an essential skill whether someone is 8, 16, 32 or 64 – one needs to be able to dribble and get open when they have the ball. Here is an excellent video on some ball handling drills that you can utilize to get better and compete more.
Take Action…
Basketball is an amazing game, one full or fun and the potential to burn some calories, get a great workout and stay healthy throughout life. Find a place to play and go get it! Have some fun, relieve some stress and ultimately burn some calories. If you can win, more power to you! Enjoy the social aspect of the game and look for some options to have fun!
Check out our other basketball related posts, here.
Recommended Gear…
Need some products to get started. Here are some great options for basketball shoes, a basketball and other gear that might be helpful! You want to have comfort gear to help you maximize your time and your effort you are pouring into the game and your exercise routine!
Basketball Shoes
We have found this pair to be very comfortable and we love the velcro strap across the laces.
Basketball
This is on of the best indoor options around.
