Yoga vs Pilates: Calories Burned Compared (2026)

Pilates, burning 105 calories in 30 minutes and 211 in an hour, outpaces Yoga, which burns 88 calories in 30 minutes and 176 in an hour. The MET values are approximately 2.5 for Yoga and 3.0 for Pilates.

This comparison examines the calories burned during Yoga and Pilates, both low-impact exercises. Calorie burn is influenced by MET values, body weight, duration, and intensity of the activities.

What Is the Difference Between Yoga and Pilates?

Yoga is a practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, typically classified as low impact. It focuses on flexibility, strength, and relaxation. Pilates is a physical fitness system that emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness, also categorized as low impact. It aims to improve posture and alignment.

Yoga vs Pilates: Calories Burned Side by Side

The following table presents a side-by-side comparison of calories burned during Yoga and Pilates over specified durations.

Duration (155 lb / 70 kg)	Yoga	Pilates
15 min	44 cal	53 cal
30 min	88 cal	105 cal
45 min	132 cal	158 cal
60 min	176 cal	211 cal

Values are for a 155-pound (70 kg) person. A heavier body burns more, a lighter body less, at the same intensity.

Which Burns More Calories, Yoga or Pilates?

For burning the most calories: Pilates burns 17 more calories in 30 minutes and 35 more calories per hour compared to Yoga.

For time efficiency: Pilates burns 3.5 calories per minute, while Yoga burns 2.9 calories per minute.

For lower-impact exercise: Both Yoga and Pilates are low-impact exercises, making them suitable for various fitness levels.

Tracking Exercise in Nutrola

Calories burned only count toward your goal if you record them. Nutrola lets you log a session of yoga or pilates by describing it in your own words by voice or text, by picking an exercise type and intensity, or by entering the calories directly, and on iOS and Android it can sync workouts automatically from Apple Health or Health Connect. Logged workouts sit next to the food you track from a photo, barcode, or voice entry, so calories in and calories out stay in one place. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

Sources and Method

MET (metabolic equivalent) values are from the 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities (Ainsworth et al.), the standard reference for the energy cost of physical activity. Calories are estimated with calories = METs x body weight in kilograms x duration in hours. Yoga is rated at about 2.5 METs (hatha) and Pilates at about 3.0 METs (general class). Real burn varies with fitness, technique, terrain, and effort, so treat these as close estimates, not exact counts. This is educational and not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which burns more calories, Yoga or Pilates?

Pilates burns 105 calories in 30 minutes, while Yoga burns 88 calories in the same time.

How many calories does Yoga burn in an hour?

Yoga burns 176 calories in an hour.

How many calories does Pilates burn in an hour?

Pilates burns 211 calories in an hour.

Which is better for weight loss?

Pilates burns more calories, with 105 calories in 30 minutes compared to Yoga's 88 calories.

What are the MET values for Yoga and Pilates?

Yoga has a MET value of about 2.5, while Pilates has a MET value of about 3.0.

How many calories does a 155-pound person burn in 30 minutes of Pilates?

A 155-pound person burns about 105 calories in 30 minutes of Pilates.

Key Takeaways

• Yoga burns 88 calories in 30 minutes.
• Pilates burns 105 calories in 30 minutes.
• Yoga burns 176 calories in an hour.
• Pilates burns 211 calories in an hour.
• Pilates burns 17 more calories in 30 minutes than Yoga.
• Pilates has a MET value of about 3.0, while Yoga is about 2.5.