Lucy Pagano Football players, Marine soldiers, and Crossfit aficionados all use the exercise that we’re going to talk about today as a way to be prepped for the big game, a combat situation, or to reach a level of overall maximum fitness. They also all share their love and hate for the exercise that we are going to go over today.
They’re called burpees.
I know you just read the title. Did you really think that I was going to try and build suspense?
There’s a special place in everyone’s heart for burpees. It’s a love-hate relationship. For all the reasons we hate burpees, you love them just the same.
Reasons We Love and Hate Burpees:
Convenience
You can do them anywhere. Literally anywhere. But don’t do them anywhere. It’d be so weird if you started doing burpees in your cubicle. You don’t want to be that guy. Or girl. Your living room or bedroom though, totally fine.
Unless of course you live in an apartment building. In which case it, sucks to be the person who lives under you. Carry on.
The convenience factor puts a damper on the good ol’ fashioned “no time for the gym today” excuse.
Don’t have time to go to the gym?
Burpees.
Don’t have any equipment?
Burpees.
Excuses for not working out?
Burpees.
Can’t get to sleep?
Burn Fat and Build Muscle
If you do them fast enough. Actually scratch that. If you just do them. Burpees are super efficient. You’re doing a squat, pushup, and jump up, all in one exercise. It builds muscle like no other. And since you’re doing them one after the other, you’ll end up burning fat too!
Sounds so awesome. The reality is . . .
All you can think about is stopping. Heavy breathing, burning legs, and sweat dripping everywhere is basically what a burpee entails. The last thing on your mind is how awesome it is for your body and the first thing are silent prayers hoping they’ll end.
Great Warm Up, Workout, and Burn Out
Need a warm up to get the blood flowing?
Burpees.
Need a quick work out?
Burpees.
Want to wrap up your strength training session with some conditioning?
Burpees.
But don’t ask for them too much. I’ve seen the looks on people’s faces every time they’re incorporated into a workout. If you’re a trainer that loves to see people suffer through them, kind of like Coach Cody at Intrepid Gym – you know it’s enough to bring any grown up to tears.
The more I think about it though, it’s more like a hate relationship while you’re doing burpees and a love relationship after you’re done doing them.
It certainly doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s hands down the one of the best exercises you can incorporate into your fitness regimen. It’s a full body workout that packs serious results.
Don’t know how to do burpees?
Burpees. Just kidding. Seriously though . . .
How to do a burpee:
- Start in a sprawl position, chest to the floor.
- Kick your feet underneath you so that you come into a squat position.
- Leap up in the air and clap your hands.
- Dive back down to the floor, assuming the sprawl position with your chest to the floor.
- Repeat!
So for all you people trying to get in shape but just don’t have the time, just remember:
Burpees.
