What is a Burpee, Anyway?

Although burpees can be classified as one of the most hated exercises in fitness, it is actually one of the best movements for overall health and fitness. What is a burpee? To start, the burpee is a full-body, strength training exercise. Every repetition works your calves, quads, glutes, hamstrings, abs, chest and arms. They are also great for working your endurance and cardiovascular conditioning.

Another reason that you might want to reconsider burpees is that they are great for weight loss and fat burning. With numerous muscles engaged and your heart rate significantly elevated, studies show that burpees burn up to 50% more fat than conventional exercises, and that they also work to increase your metabolism. To top it off, one of the best things about burpees is that they require no equipment. If you need to skip the gym, you can do these at home, at the park or even in your hotel room while traveling.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in the history of the burpee, named after Dr. Royal H Burpee, click here. Or, check out the video below for a demo.