Does running in hot weather burn more fat?

Author: Ms. Pearlie Abernathy PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

In addition, research has found that at higher temperatures, your body will burn a lower proportion of fat, and a higher proportion of carbohydrates, than at lower temperatures. So, if fat-burning is what you're after, cooler temperatures are actually preferential.

Does running in hot weather make you lose more weight?

Yes, when ambient temperature is higher, metabolic activity is higher, and you sweat more to keep your muscle temperatures lower, so you burn more calories.

Is it easier to lose fat in hot weather?

As the weather is hot, it makes you sweat faster which directly helps you burn fat faster. Although working out in the gyms and in the comfort of your home may seem comfortable, incorporating a shorter workout outdoors can help you lose more calories than indoor workouts.

Do I burn more calories running when it's hot?

Yes, when ambient temperature is higher, metabolic activity is higher, and you sweat more to keep your muscle temperatures lower, so you burn more calories.

Do you burn more fat running in the cold or heat?

According to a recent study of 53 men and women who took part in a vigorous National Outdoor Leadership School program in Wyoming, exercising in the cold burns more calories than exercising in warmer temperatures, making it easier to lose weight. Muscles work best at hot temperatures.

The cold weather hack to boosting your fitness

Does sweating burn belly fat?

Does Sweating Burn Belly Fat? While sweating can be an indication of an intense workout, it's not a direct indicator of fat loss, and sweating alone won't cause you to lose belly fat. Instead, sweating is simply a mechanism for regulating body temperature and removing excess heat from the body during exercise.

Is it better to run in the hot?

Enhanced Cardiovascular Endurance:

Running in hot weather requires your body to work harder to regulate its core temperature. As a result, your heart pumps more blood to deliver oxygen to your muscles, which, over time, leads to improved cardiovascular endurance.

Does running burn belly fat?

However, the good news is that running is one of the best forms of exercise to lose belly fat, and there are even a few small tweaks you can make to your regular running schedule to deliver a sustained fat burning boost.

How to burn 1000 calories in a day?

Running, cycling, swimming, and rowing are all great options for hitting your calorie burn target.
  1. Running: To burn 1000 calories in a day, a 75 kg person running at 10 km/h can burn around 600 calories in an hour. ...
  2. Cycling: Biking at 18-20 km/h can help you burn 600-800 calories in an hour.

Is metabolism faster in summer?

Some studies indicate that basal metabolic rate is greater winter than the summer, suggesting a role for brown fat in human thermogenesis.

Why am I skinnier in the summer?

According to research, appetite decreases with heat mostly because the body is trying to keep cool. Heat causes bodily functions to work harder. This in turn results in suppressed appetite. It is also said that we digest our food slower in hotter weather, which leaves us feeling fuller for longer.

What weather is best for fat loss?

Wondering how? Well, the body's "metabolism speeds up" in the cold months. Pooja Malhotra said that the body burns more calories to maintain body temperature in winter. So, if you remain physically active and eat mindfully, "winter is the best time to lose weight."

Do you burn more calories running or walking?

Running burns more than twice as many calories per minute as walking. For a person who weighs 160 pounds, walking at a pace of 3.5 miles per hour for 30 minutes burns about 156 calories. Running at 6 mph for the same time burns about 356 calories. Low impact vs.

Does running in sweats burn more fat?

While we wish burning more calories was as simple as adding extra layers to your gym fit, sweat rate during exercise has little to no effect on the number of calories you burn during a workout — or the amount of fat you lose as a result.

Is it easier to lose weight in hot weather?

That being said, losing weight in the summer is much easier. We tend to be in a better mood, participate in summer sports, crave healthier foods, and sweat more. The hot weather plays a huge roll in summer weight loss.

Does running in heat increase fitness?

The training effect of heat, however, goes beyond acclimating to more of it: Heat creates a training stimulus, like speed, hills, or altitude, that can enhance your fitness and running prowess. Rather than thinking of it as an uncomfortable annoyance, consider it a tool.

How many pounds a week can you lose on a 1200 calorie diet?

This simple 1,200-calorie meal plan is specially tailored to help you feel energized and satisfied while eating fewer calories so you can lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Why do runners have belly fat?

Jensen says a person who runs but also eats a poor diet “could indeed keep their paunch” if their genes predispose them to carry excess fat in their midsection, and Church agrees. “In general, if you eat poorly, you tend to put weight on in your belly,” he says. (Ditto if you drink a lot of alcohol, he adds.)

How to lose a hanging belly?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

Should I run faster or longer to lose weight?

Faster runners burn more fat and carbs, use more muscle fibers, and burn calories more efficiently. On the flip side, fast running requires more recovery time and is not suitable for every day. Benefits for distance runners include improved endurance and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

When should you not run in heat?

Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 degrees and the humidity is above 70-80%. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, confused, light-headed, delirious, or if you stop sweating, then it is time to get out of the heat immediately.

What are the benefits of running regularly?

Running can:
  • help to build strong bones, as it is a weight bearing exercise.
  • strengthen muscles.
  • improve cardiovascular fitness.
  • burn plenty of kilojoules.
  • help maintain a healthy weight.

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