Is there a relationship between the amount you sweat and the amount of calories you burn? I sweat more than the average person, does that mean I burn more calories too? or is calorie burn related only to metabolism?

The reason for my question is I rode the bike for 35 minutes today at 85 RPMs, which is pretty fast, and it said I only burned 372 calories. Now, I'm no expert, but it seemed like I burned a lot more than that. My shirt was completely soaked afterward as well. Anyone know if there's a relation between the two?

Hi bigjohn - how's it going?

Now I'm no expert on this - and I too would love to know about sweat and calories as I'm a real sweater. Lovely eh!

But one thing I have learned along the way, is that unless you put your age, weight etc into the computer little thingy - your not going to get a true reading. I've just used one of those on-line computer calorie estimators and I put your weight in and it says you burned almost double that what you originally thought. Like I say I'm a novice at all this, so don't take my word for it - check out some of the free calorie burned estimators - I think that you will be surprised.

it might be right John, when I do the bike at 85 rpm for 35 mins (on level 4 out of 12, don't know how intense you were doing it) I burn about 180 cals. So considering your weight is higher than mine and maybe you were using a higher intensity then it doesn't sound off to me.

aerobic exercise doesn't burn that many calories... i used to practically kill myself on the treadmill at HIGH inclines for 90 minutes straight to burn 600 cals.... and I was REALLY killing myself there....

Thanks guys. Yeah i was using intensity 15 out of 20. I put my weight into the computer as well, but it didn't ask for anything else. Oh well, it just seemed like I should've been burning more calories.

Would you suggest anything else besides aerobic exercise for burning calories? I play basketball with friends if we're ever all at the gym at the same time, that is probably better than bike riding, right?

besides aerobic exercise, well there's anaerobic LOL. I think those are the only options. But all signs point to the best calorie burning coming from a combination of both. So that means combining cycling/walking/running/etc with weight training.

I am still a novice at weight training (I have to use machines, not ready for free weights) but even machines can make a big difference. And if you actually know how to use them, free weights of course. I have noticed changes in my body shape from the weight lifting, and it boosts the metabolism for constant 24h calorie burning. Since the majority of your calories burned per day comes from your metabolism and not from aerobic exercise, you want to boost this as much as possible.

Best is to figure out a plan for yourself, I try to do 60 minutes of aerobic (only) exercise Tues, Thurs; and ~200 minutes of aerobic and weight training Mon, Wed, Sat; then I take Fri, Sun off, stay active Fri and really rest Sun. But everyone has to have his or her own plan.