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Burpee (exercise)
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The burpee, a squat thrust with an additional stand between repetitions, is a full body exercise used in strength training. The movement itself is primarily an anaerobic exercise, but when done in succession over a longer period can be utilized as an aerobic exercise.[1][2]
The basic movement as described by its namesake, physiologist Royal H. Burpee, is performed in four steps from a standing position and known as a "four-count burpee":[3]
- Move into a squat position with your hands on the ground.
- Kick your feet back into an extended plank position, while keeping your arms extended.
- Immediately return your feet into squat position.
- Stand up from the squat position.
One modification is to step back into a plank instead of kicking back.
Moves 2 and 3 constitute a squat thrust. Many variants of the basic burpee exist, and they often include a push-up and a jump.[4]
Origin
[edit]

The exercise was invented in 1939 by US physiologist Royal Huddleston Burpee Sr., who used it in the burpee test to assess fitness.[5][6] Burpee earned a PhD in applied physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1940 and created the "burpee" exercise as part of his PhD thesis as a quick and simple fitness test,[7] which may be used as a measure of agility and coordination.[8] The original burpee was a "four-count burpee" consisting of movements through four different positions, and in the fitness test, the burpee was performed four times, with five heart rate measurements taken before and after the four successive burpees to measure the efficiency of the heart at pumping blood and how quickly the heart rate returns to normal.[6]
Burpee was a veteran of the First World War. After the war, he earned his doctorate in physiology at Columbia University.[9] In the 1930s, he developed the Burpee test.[10]
The exercise was popularized when, in 1942, the U.S. Army adopted the exercise as part of its physical fitness test,[11][12] used to assess the fitness level of recruits when the US entered World War II.[3] Although the original test was not designed to be performed at high volume, the Army used the burpee to test how many times it can be performed by a soldier in 20 seconds[3] – 8 burpees in 20 seconds is considered poor, 10 is fair, 13 or more excellent. The Army also considered that a soldier fit enough for the rigor of war should be able to perform 40 or 50 burpees non-stop in an easy rhythm.[6]
During World War II, he worked as the overseas program director for the United Service Organizations (USO). From 1946 to 1964, Burpee served as Executive Director of the Bronx-Union Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in New York City.
Variants
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2021) |
- Box-jump burpee
- The athlete jumps onto a box, rather than straight up and down.[13]
- Eight-count push-up[15] or double burpee
- The athlete performs two push-ups after assuming the plank position. This cancels the drive from landing after the jump and makes the next jump harder. Each part of the burpee might be repeated to make it even harder.
- Hindu push-up burpee
- Instead of a regular push-up, do a Hindu push-up.
- Jump-over burpee
- The athlete jumps over an obstacle between burpees.[16]
- Knee push-up burpee
- The athlete bends their knees and rests them on the ground before performing the push-up.
- Long-jump burpee
- The athlete jumps forward, not upward.
- Muscle-up burpee
- Combine a muscle-up (a variation of a pull-up) with the jump or do a muscle-up instead of the jump.
- One-armed burpee
- The athlete uses only one arm for the whole exercise including the push-up.
- One-leg burpee
- The athlete stands on one leg, bends at the waist and puts hands on ground so they are aligned with shoulders. Next jump back with the standing leg to plank position. Jump forward with the one leg that was extended, and do a one-leg jump. Repeat on opposite side.
World records
[edit]Chest-to-ground burpees
[edit]One minute
[edit]On April 29, 2023, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, Philippe Jouan achieved a record 38 chest-to-ground burpees in one minute.[17]
One hour
[edit]On June 25, 2021, in Singapore, Cassiano Rodrigues Laureano achieved a record 951 chest-to-ground burpees in one hour.[18]
12 hours
[edit]On July 7, 2019, in Milford, Michigan, Army ROTC Cadet Bryan Abell set the Guinness World Record for most chest-to-ground burpees performed in 12 hours by completing 4,689 burpees.[19] On December 1, 2019, this record was broken and the new record was set as 5,234 by Samuel Finn from Canada.[20] On May 11, 2024, a new record of 8,523 burpees in 12 hours was set in Narbonne, France, by Joseph Salas.[21]
See also
[edit]- Sun Salutation - a sequence of yoga postures that bears some similarities.
- Hindu push-up - another similar sequence.
References
[edit]- ^ Podstawski, R.; Markowski, P.; Clark, C. C.; Choszcz, D.; Ihász, F.; Stojiljković, S.; Gronek, P. (19 October 2019). "International Standards for the 3-Minute Burpee Test: High- Intensity Motor Performance". Journal of Human Kinetics. 69: 137–147. doi:10.2478/hukin-2019-0021. PMC 6815084. PMID 31666896.
- ^ "Burpees Benefits". Livestrong Foundation. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Raymond, A (February 1944). Can we make our soldiers tough enough?. Popular Science. pp. 57–60, 203. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Sheryl Dluginski (January 4, 2013). "The Real Story Behind the Exercise You Love to Hate: The Burpee". DNA Info. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017.
- ^ Burpee, David A. (16 December 2011). Biographical Sketches of Extraordinary Burpees from North America. Trafford. pp. 100–101. ISBN 9781466904989.
- ^ a b c Rodio, Michael (25 June 2016). "The Badass History of the Burpee and the Legendary Man Who Created It". Men's Journal.
- ^ "Reference extract from Teachers College, Columbia University archive". Teachers College, Columbia University. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ^ "Definition of burpee". Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Tamarkin, Sally (2014-05-02). "A Brief History Of The Burpee". Huffpost. Archived from the original on 2025-06-14. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "definition of burpee from Oxford Dictionaries Online". Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17.
- ^ "Effektive Ganzkörperübung Burpee: Liegestütze mit Flugphase [Effective full-body exercise Burpee: Push-ups with flight phase]". Spiegel Online. 2014-08-15. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ Knapik, Joseph J.; East, Whitfield B. (2014). "History of United States Army physical fitness and physical readiness training". U.S. Army Medical Department Journal: 5–19. ISSN 1524-0436. PMID 24706237.
- ^ "Demonstrations: Box-Jump Burpee". Crossfit Endurance. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ^ "Reebok CrossFit ONE Movement Demo "Dumbbell Burpee"". Reebok Crossfit One. Feb 22, 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ^ Can we make our soldiers tough enough? from Popular Science, 1944. February 1944. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ^ "The Burpee Box Jump-Over". www.crossfit.com. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
- ^ "Most chest to ground burpees in one minute (male)". guinnessworldrecords. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
- ^ Shan, Lee Ying; Campbell, Joseph (2021-07-21). "Brazilian sets burpee Guinness Record in Singapore". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ Brading, Thomas (August 21, 2019). "Burpee beast: ROTC cadet sets world record during fundraiser". United States Army. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
- ^ Stephenson, Kristen (27 July 2020). "This Canadian did 12 hours of burpees and raised $58,000 to honor the memory of his late brother". Guinness World Records.
- ^ "8 523 burpees en 12 heures : Le record du monde établi à Narbonne par Joseph Salas a été validé par le Guinness World Record".
- Burpee, Royal Huddleston (1940). Seven quickly administered tests of physical capacity. Contributions to Education. Vol. 818. Teachers College, University of Columbia.[1]
- Burpee, Royal Huddleston (1972). Seven quickly administered tests of physical capacity and their use in detecting physical incapacity for motor activity in men and boys. New York: AMS Press. ISBN 9780404558185.
External links
[edit]- "Can we make our soldiers tough enough?" in Popular Science, February 1944
Burpee (exercise)
View on GrokipediaTechnique and Execution
Basic Form
The burpee is a full-body calisthenics exercise that integrates a squat, push-up transition to plank, and explosive vertical jump, designed to build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness through compound movements.[5] Key posture elements emphasize safety and effectiveness, including a neutral spine alignment from head to heels to prevent lower back strain, and continuous core engagement to maintain stability and control throughout all phases.[5] Feet are positioned shoulder-width apart in the initial and recovery stances, promoting balance and allowing for proper weight distribution.[5] Full range of motion is essential, particularly in the squat where hips lower below knee level with knees tracking over toes, and in the plank where the body forms a rigid straight line without sagging hips or elevated glutes.[4] Body positions in the standard burpee include the upright stance with arms relaxed at the sides and gaze forward; the deep squat with hands planted firmly on the ground outside the feet, back flat, and weight centered over the midfoot; the extended plank supported on hands and toes, shoulders directly above wrists, and abdominals braced; and the peak jump with knees and hips fully extended, arms reaching overhead in line with the ears for maximal height and power.[5][4] In typical fitness contexts, such as high-intensity interval training or circuit workouts, burpees are performed in sets of 10 to 20 repetitions, with beginners starting at the lower end to prioritize form over speed.[5]Step-by-Step Instructions
To perform a burpee correctly, follow this sequential six-step process, which emphasizes smooth transitions between movements for safety and efficacy.[6]- Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides, and core engaged to maintain an upright posture.[6][7]
- Lower into a squat by bending your knees and hips, pushing your hips back while keeping your chest up; place your hands flat on the floor in front of you, just inside your feet, with fingers spread wide for stability.[6][8]
- Jump or step your feet back simultaneously to land in a high plank position, with your body forming a straight line from head to heels, shoulders stacked over wrists.[6][7]
- Perform an optional push-up by bending your elbows to lower your chest toward the floor, then pressing back up to the plank; this step adds upper-body intensity but can be skipped for beginners.[6][8]
- Jump or step your feet forward to return to the squat position, landing with your feet outside your hands and weight centered over your heels.[6][7]
- Explode upward into a vertical jump, driving through your heels and extending your arms overhead for full reach, then land softly with knees slightly bent to absorb impact.[6][8]