Does Pokémon Go Track Calories?
In recent years, Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm with its augmented reality gameplay that encourages players to get off the couch and explore the real world. As people of all ages join in on the fun, the question on many minds is: does Pokémon Go track calories?
In a Nutshell
Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, partnered with Apple and Google to integrate their game with various health and fitness tracking devices. This allowed Pokémon Go to track your physical activity, including your steps and distance traveled, and provided a way for players to earn rewards by staying active.
However, regarding calorie tracking specifically, Pokémon Go does not directly track the number of calories burned during gameplay. Instead, it only records your walking distance, which can contribute to calorie burn. Nonetheless, if you’re still wondering, let’s dive deeper and explore the mechanics of tracking calories in Pokémon Go!
How Calorie Burn is Calculated
Several factors influence your calorie burn while playing Pokémon Go. Here are the key determinants:
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Distance Traveled: Your walking distance and speed, as recorded by your GPS, are critical factors. The more distance you travel, the higher your potential calorie burn will be.
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Weight: Your body mass affects calorie burn. Those who carry more weight naturally burn fewer calories than their leaner counterparts.
- Intensity: Whether you jog, walk quickly, or stroll leisurely impacts the number of calories you expend. More intensity equals increased calorie burn!
Average Calorie Burn Estimates for Pokémon Go Play
Since Pokémon Go only tracks your walking distance and doesn’t directly calculate your calorie burn, we have to look at estimates and general trends. According to various fitness trackers and expert sources:
- 120-160 calories per hour: Low-intensity, casual playing (e.g., meandering around or doing laps around your living room).
- 200-250 calories per hour: Moderate-intensity, semi-energetic playing (e.g., walking short distances, light jogging).
Keep in mind that actual calorie burn is highly variable and influenced by individual factors, such as fitness levels, age, and genetic predispositions.
Tips to Burn More Calories with Pokémon Go
1. Choose Intensified Play Styles: In-game events like battles and raids can amplify your caloric expenditure compared to general exploration.
- Incorporate Strenuous Activities: Add HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts between Pokémon Go gaming sessions, like burpees, jumping jacks, or short bursts of jogging, to spike your calorie burn.
3. Vary Routes and Terrain: Mix it up by incorporating stairs, hills, and varied distances to challenge your body further.
Pokemon Go Distance Tracking and the Role of Adventure Sync
In February 2022, Niantic introduced Adventure Sync, which allows for background tracking of your Pokémon Go activity without the app being open. While this helps with tracking kilometers traveled and distance covered, it remains unclear whether Niantic will incorporate precise calorie tracking in the near future.
Verdict and Conclusion
Pokémon Go does not directly track calories, yet, leveraging the app with fitness-related features like Distance Tracking can contribute to caloric expenditures. By understanding the factors influencing calorie burn, adjusting in-game playstyles, incorporating strenuous activities, and varying routes, you can maximize your caloric expenditure in Pokémon Go!