BMR or Basal Metabolic Rate is basically a measure of your body’s metabolic rate. It’s the number of calories that your bodies needs to function whilst at rest.

This is the minimum number of calories your body needs at rest to fuel its metabolic activity, for example to maintain functions such as heart beat, breathing and temperature.

You can use your BMR measurement to work out how many calories a day you would need to lose, gain or maintain weight.

Use A BMR Calculator

There are easy to use online calculators. We like this BMR calculator here.

Or try the calculator below:

Calculate BMR Without A Calculator

However, you can also calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate manually, without using a calculator.

Follow the steps below:

Females
BMR = 655 + (9.6 x weight in kg) + (1.8 x height in cm) – (4.7 x age in Yrs)

Males
BMR = 66 + (13.75 x weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm) – (6.8 x age in yrs)

You can then use this results to help work out your daily calorie requirements.

All you need to do is multiply your Basal Metabolic Rate by your individual activity factor.

Activity Factors:

Very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.525

Moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.35

Sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.1

Factors That Influence Your Basal Metabolic Rate

Keep in mind that there are a number of factors that can affect your metabolism:

Age:
The younger you are, the higher your Basal Metabolic Rate

Pregnancy:
Your Basal Metabolic Rate will increase towards the end of your pregnancy.

Gender:
In general, men would have a higher percentage of lean body weight than females and more lean body weight would mean increased Basal Metabolic Rate.

Percentage of fat in the body:
Your Basal Metabolic Rate is higher if you have a low-fat composition in your body.

Genetics:
Some people of different cultures are born with a faster Basal Metabolic Rate compared to others.

External temperature:
The temperature outside the body also affectsBasal Metabolic Rate. Colder weather tends to increase BMR as extra heat is needed.

Diet:
Going on a starvation diet or a sudden decrease in calories can decrease metabolic rate up to thirty percent. Low calorie eating plans can cause the Basal Metabolic Rate to drop up to twenty percent. Carnivores usually have a higher metabolic rate compared to vegetarians.

Exercise:
Basal Metabolic Rate is increased if you regularly exercise as it builds more lean tissue.

Glands:
The thyroid gland regulates theBasal Metabolic Rate. If more thyroxin is produced your metabolism increases.

Do you know your BMR? Tell us in the comments below.