Different intensities and types of activity provide different benefits. Generally, if you are able to talk while performing a physical activity, it’s moderately intense. But if you’re breathing hard and finding it hard to hold a conversation, the activity is vigorously intense. Vigorously intense activity burns more calories per unit of time.
Examples of Moderate Activity
• Walking briskly (3 miles per hour or faster but not race-walking)
• Water aerobics
• Bicycling slower than 10 miles per hour
• Tennis (doubles)
• Ballroom dancing
• General gardening
Examples of Vigorous Activity
• Race-walking, jogging, or running
• Swimming laps
• Tennis (singles)
• Aerobic dancing
• Bicycling 10 miles an hour or faster
• Jumping rope
• Heavy gardening (continuous digging or hoeing, with heart rate increases)
• Hiking uphill or with a heavy backpack
Note: This table provides several examples of activities classified as moderate or vigorous. It does not list all possible activities. Instead, the examples are meant to help you make choices.