BURPEES again? But we just did Burpees. Most CrossFitters said this for sure. But don’t worry Burpees and I have a love-hate relationship too and so as Ryan. 

Hearing the word “ BURPEE “ certainly conjures up mixed emotions! Admit it or not Burpees are one of those exercises we love to hate. Some CrossFit locations even use the Burpee penalty to keep their members following gym rules or even incorporated the Burpee into a fundraising event. 

But before we start hating it or loving it.

Have you ever wondered Who Invented the Most Despised Movement in Fitness? And why they called this exercise “ BURPEE” ?

Well, According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the exercise was named for American physiologist Royal H. Burpee, who developed the Burpee test.  

So before you start cursing his name throughout workouts. Let’s get to know Mr. Burpee a little. For sure,  It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t his intention. 

Burpee, a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Physiology at Columbia University, wanted a simple way to assess the fitness of average people (starting with the new members of the YMCA in the Bronx, where Burpee worked), so he invented an, as-yet-unnamed four-count movement that would provide a quick and accurate way to evaluate fitness in 1939. The exercise was popularized when the United States Armed Services adopted it as a way to assess the fitness level of recruits when the US entered WWII. Consisting of a series of the exercises performed in rapid succession, the test was meant to be a quick measure of agility, coordination and strength. 

Now we get that in the way and know Mr.Burpee a little bit. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you can’t deny that burpees are effective. Burpee is an exercise that it is so versatile. The burpee works all these muscles pecs, obliques, abs, quads, glutes, hamstrings and calf! Burpees make your body a fat burning machine. The best thing about burpees? They require absolutely no equipment. You can essentially perform this exercise anywhere like everywhere and there are limitless variations you can make to the exercise to progress it.

The Burpee is a popular staple in many of today’s most challenging workouts, from CrossFit to boot camps to sports performance and triathlon training. For even the fittest folks, it’s a dreaded and highly effective way to build strength, stamina and coordination. 

How to do the perfect Burpee

Quick TIPS:

Burpees are all about speed, but don’t go too fast…or you’ll burn yourself out after doing just a few. It’s all about pacing yourself, and most of all, believing in yourself. 

Burpee Challenge

Take the 100 burpee challenge and jumpstart your fitness journey today!

Or if 100 is too much 

How about The 3-minute burpee challenge .

GO GO GO!! (and don’t forget to reward yourself after you’ve finished the challenge.)