Chores as Exercise?
By Loretta
@noni1959 (9922)
United States
February 23, 2019 2:25pm CST
Over the years I've read doing vigorous house and yard work counts as exercise if done non-stop for at least 30 minutes or more and involves sweeping, mopping, mowing, vacuuming, gardening and other movements.The past few days I thought I was doing some pretty good work outs with all the house, kid and horse tending; however, I just read something that has burst my bubble.
A study by Northern Ireland has found those who report housework as part of their exercise are heavier. ( Rettner 2013)
It could be there are reporting housework but not watching their calorie intake and may even overestimate the duration and intensity of their chores. Women and older people tend to report housework as their main activity. 30 minutes of vacuuming is 130 calories where vigorous cycling on a stationary bike is 400.
Yard work can burn more calories ; 30 minutes mowing is 215 calories - about the same as jogging and walking.
From what I am reading is to walk, bike, swim or some other activity in addition to your chores to gain maximum calories burned and to get more fit.
I'm so exhausted and it's almost all I can do what I have been. I sat down to rest while everyone is napping and my eyes want to close. I feel I should do something for exercise.
Do you clean house or do yard work enough weekly you think it counts?
17 people like this
18 responses
@Torunn (8607)
• Norway
23 Feb 19
Cleaning my flat will definitly not be enough to keep me fit :-) But it's a fairly low-maintance flat with only one person in it, I get exercise in the stables, that counts as yard work I guess. Or farm work. I usually do work-outs too, going for walks, weight-lifting, cardio.
I think chores might count as exercise, but it'll depend on what you do. Scrubbing floors instead of vacuuming, digging big holes in your garden, not just mowing the lawn. I guess what I do at home is about the same as a going for a stroll.
3 people like this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
23 Feb 19
I do a lot of housework weekly, even daily a lot of times. and I do count it as exercise, since im active. but that's about it. I don't worry about exercising more or less, or weight.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (9922)
• United States
28 Feb 19
@Courtlynn I do but tend to over do it like I did yesterday and paying for it today.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
25 Feb 19
@noni1959 least youre still doing something to be active.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (461823)
• Switzerland
24 Feb 19
I love to walk, I use a stationary bike, never for 30 minutes because it's so boring cycling without going anywhere. When I went to physio they had a calories counter on their bikes, you must be a champion to burn 400 calories biking. When I went fast the maximum it showed was 400 per HOUR not half hour. Anyway I never had a weight problem, I control my calories intake.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247205)
• United States
23 Feb 19
You only gain weight if your take in more calories than your body can burn.
I do clean my house, but don't consider it exercise. I go to the gym, walk, swim, bike, and play tennis and golf. I think exercise speeds up my metabolism and gives me energy for the day and a good night's sleep.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (9922)
• United States
23 Feb 19
It is hard for me to do a lot of house and yard things then add exercise but with my condition I have to find a balance. It makes it hard. Already, all I've been doing to help has my back and knees hurting to the point of tears. I've been trying to go to the gym three times a week to swim.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
24 Feb 19
here i agree, i love doing chores and consider it as exercise... most of the time I have my dancing music on.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
1 Mar 19
@noni1959 yes and it's fun, isn't it. it is just like working and not at the same time. you will finish the chores with a lot of energy.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
24 Feb 19
My place is not big enough really to work out cleaning, though I love to clean.
No yard for me to do work in either.
Walking is my exercise and I love to swim but the pool costs money here.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
1 Mar 19
@noni1959 That is great Loretta!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Feb 19
Honestly I never consider it exercise, I count my visit to the pool and yoga as my exercise.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15729)
• Canada
23 Feb 19
I find that listening to an audio story keeps me moving longer. I can be completely finished the housework... but the story is getting so good, I don't want to stop. That has to be helping!! :)
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15729)
• Canada
24 Feb 19
@noni1959 It certainly makes housework a whole lot more interesting lol!!
1 person likes this
@CaseyRoss9966 (4056)
• United States
28 Feb 19
It always feels like such a workout when I am deep cleaning the house.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
23 Feb 19
I try to get out and walk a couple of miles every day in addition to doing yard and housework.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9922)
• United States
28 Feb 19
@SophiaMorros I have a cat. My daughter I live with has dogs she has to take out often. I don't want to do that. I take over when they are gone and have to but only then.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
24 Feb 19
@noni1959 I have a dog that needs to be taken out three times a day. I have to walk even when I really don't want to!
1 person likes this
@didinedhia (8470)
• Algeria
28 Feb 19
i hope someday i buy a house have ayard in it
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9922)
• United States
1 Mar 19
@didinedhia I love to sit on the porch or go for a walk in the rain except when it's 21 degrees out.
1 person likes this
@didinedhia (8470)
• Algeria
1 Mar 19
@noni1959 see, people think defferently, i hope i sit in a yard on a nice rainy day not sunnyday lol
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71672)
• United States
3 Mar 19
I don't think I would ever count my housework and yard work as exercise but it does get me sweating for sure.
@JohnRoberts (109848)
• Los Angeles, California
23 Feb 19
Yes, housework is a workout.
1 person likes this
@Nickzter1331 (4229)
• Philippines
24 Feb 19
I clean.house maybe every weekend..
1 person likes this
