Know your METs

METs stands for Metabolic Equivalent Tasks.  One MET equal to 3.5 milliliter oxygen per kg body weight per minute.

 When we are sleeping or resting we have a METs level of 1. Activities are then indexed against this level of complete resting. Hence METs reflects how hard your body is working or generally reflects your fitness level.

Some METs level activities are as shown:

- Sleeping - 0.9 METs

- Watching TV - 1 METs

- Desk work, Studying - 1.8 METs

- Walking at 1.7 mph - 2.3 METs

- Walking a dog - 2.5 METs.

-- Walking 2.5 mph - 2.9 METs

Cycling Stationary - 3.0 METs

- Walking at 3 mph - 3.5 METs.

- Aerobic exercises - 3.5 METS

- Cycling Out doors - 4.0 METs

- Weight-lifting -  6 METs

- Shoveling - 6 METs.

- Hiking - about 7 METs.

- Jogging - 7.0 METS

- Swimming at moderate speed - 8 METs.

- Calisthenics ( Push ups, Sit ups, Jumping Jacks) - 8.0 METs

- Running at 6 mph - 10 METs.

- Rope Skipping - 10 METs

- Running at 10 mph - 16 METs.

Activities under 3 METs are considered sedentary.

Activities from 3 - 6 METs are considerate moderate.

Activities more than 6 METs are considered vigorous.

Having a daily average of 2 METs is considered good.

Now get some exercises moving. Dont be idle.

Take care

Allen Lai