Forget the gym, deep cleaning your bathroom can burn over 1,000 calories a day. According to new research, scrubbing, mopping, and lifting could be your next workout
Housework might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about fitness, but new research reveals that one everyday chore could be the key to burning calories, without ever stepping foot in a gym.
According to Plumbworld, the UK’s leading home improvement authority, deep-cleaning your bathroom can burn more than 1,000 calories in a single day, making it a surprisingly effective full-body workout. These findings report that scrubbing, stretching, and lifting during intensive cleaning sessions can mimic the effects of a structured fitness routine.
A breakdown of the calorie burn per hour for everyday deep-cleaning activities shows that scrubbing tiles and grout burns over 300 calories, mopping floors around 250 calories, cleaning bathtubs and sinks burn more than 200 calories, wiping down surfaces and mirrors 150 calories, and lifting and carrying cleaning supplies 100 calories.
Spending just three to four hours deep-cleaning your bathroom can lead to a total calorie burn of 1,000 or more, comparable to a rigorous gym session.
For those who dread the treadmill, bathroom cleaning might be the unexpected solution to staying fit. Plumbworld’s research shows that one hour of bathroom scrubbing burns as many calories as 30 minutes of swimming, two hours of deep cleaning equates to the calorie burn of running a 5K, and an entire morning of housework can torch more calories than a high-intensity cycling class.
Suppose you want to make the most of your next cleaning session. In that case, use large, circular motions when scrubbing to engage your arm and shoulder muscles, switching hands while cleaning to work both sides of your body evenly.
Additionally, try squatting instead of bending over to protect your back and strengthen your legs, and taking the stairs while carrying cleaning supplies to boost your heart rate.
If you’re looking to up the intensity, try turning on some upbeat music and setting a timer for each task to encourage faster movements and keep your heart rate elevated. Adding resistance by wearing ankle or wrist weights while scrubbing and mopping can further enhance muscle engagement and calorie burn.
Plus, the mental benefits of cleaning shouldn’t be overlooked; tidying your space can reduce stress and boost mood, making deep cleaning a physical workout and a mindful activity.
A spokesperson from Plumbworld commented, “People don’t often associate household chores with fitness, but our findings show that a deep-cleaning session can be a serious calorie burner. Scrubbing tough stains, reaching high surfaces, and mopping floors engage multiple muscle groups, turning a routine cleaning day into an effective workout. Plus, the added benefit is a sparkling clean bathroom at the end!”
So, the next time you’re putting off deep cleaning, remember, you’re not just tidying up, you’re giving your body a complete workout. Who knew staying fit could be as simple as picking up a mop?
