Calories Burned Shopping

Hitting the mall needn't just exercise your wallet; it can exercise your body as well. When you're shopping, you burn calories getting to the store, walking through it, standing in line and carrying your purchases. Your calorie burn continues when you carry your purchases home and put them away. Your exact calorie burn will depend on your weight and what you do during your trip.

Getting to the Store

Although most people drive to the store, riding your bike 30 minutes there and back, for a total of an hour of bicycling, could burn nearly 300 calories if you weigh 160 pounds, say Mayo Clinic experts. Jogging to the store at a moderate 5 mph burns more than 600 calories per hour, while walking at 3.5 mph burns just over 300 calories in an hour. If you can't bike, walk or jog to the store, park far enough away to get in a few extra minutes of walking or jogging from the parking lot; you'll still burn a few calories.

Walking Through the Store

Walking through the store at a leisurely 2 mph burns around 200 calories per hour for a 150-pound person, according to the University of Hawaii Nutrition website. If you are a power shopper and walk a little faster, your calorie burn will be higher. Each time you reach, stretch and bend to access merchandise, you burn a few more calories. You can burn more calories during your shopping trip by taking the stairs rather than the escalator or elevator. Shopping for three hours mall walking at 3.5 mph could result in a calorie expenditure of 750 calories for a 150-pound person.

Standing in Line

Standing in line for assistance or to pay for your purchases burns more calories than sitting, but fewer than if you are moving. For each hour you spend standing in line at the store, expect to burn about 175 calories if you weigh 150 pounds. You can add to the calorie burn by fidgeting, stretching your muscles or marching in place while waiting.

Carrying Packages

Carrying your purchases will help you burn additional calories during your shopping trip. According to the Calorie Lab website, carrying small items such as groceries up the stairs burns up to 111 calories every 15 minutes for a person who weighs 150 pounds. Carrying your young child while shopping also adds to your calorie burn, up to 34 calories per 15 minutes. If you purchase heavy items such as furniture, carrying them burns up to 136 calories every 15 minutes.