Total Body Exercise. . .The Burpee!

Burpee’s, what a great total body exercise!

When I’m personal training or instructing a Boot Camp and the next exercise is Burpee’s, generally the response is one of hatred. The Burpee is a tough exercise, but it will deliver some fantastic results if executed correctly.

A Burpee starts in the standing position. From here drop down into a squat and lower the hands to the floor. Now kick the feet backwards (together) into a perfect Press-up position then immediately bring them forward again tucking the knees in tight between the arms. Finally, leap up off the ground as high as possible in one big explosive movement dropping back down into the squat, ready to go again. Maximise the exercise by performing as many reps as possible with no rest in between.

To make the Burpee exercise even more effective and varied, it can easily be adapted. Instead of leaping up why not try jumping forward or even leaping onto a box/step.

The Burpee is never going to be everyone’s favourite, but it’s an excellent total body exercise and I highly recommend it in any training programme targeted at weight loss or body tone/condition.

Don’t shy away, Burp away!