Burpees

The hardest and the most effective. One rep gives you a squat, a push up and a jump.

Level Advanced
Equipment None
Sets and reps 3 sets x 8-15
Works on Full body

How to do it

  1. From standing, squat down and place your hands on the floor.
  2. Jump your feet back into a plank position.
  3. Do one push up.
  4. Jump your feet back in and leap straight up.

Common mistakes

  • × Skipping the push up - then it is only half a burpee.
  • × Landing in plank with a sagging back - keep the core tight.
  • × Doing too many at the start - begin with 5.
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One thing that matters

As many as you can in 10 minutes - that alone is a complete workout.

How much

Sets and reps for Burpees

Where you are Aim for
Just starting 3 sets x 5, step back instead of jumping
The standard 3 sets x 8-15
Once it is easy 3 sets x 20
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Breathing

Out as you jump up, in as you go down to the floor. It falls apart fast if you hold it - keep it deliberate.

Too hard, or too easy?

Where this sits

Questions

Burpees, answered

Why are burpees so hard?

Because they use nearly every muscle and move you between standing and the floor, which your heart has to work hard to keep up with. The difficulty is cardiovascular more than muscular.

How do I make burpees easier?

Step your feet back one at a time instead of jumping them, and stand up instead of jumping at the top. That removes both impacts and most of the difficulty while keeping the pattern.

How many burpees should a beginner do?

Five, done properly, with a full rest afterwards. Everyone who starts with fifty is sore for four days and never does them again.

One exercise is never the whole story

Which day to do Burpees, how many sets, and what to pair it with - the AI builds the whole plan. Your first one is free.

Build My Free Plan
Full Body

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This is general information, not medical advice

Everything on this page is worked out from a formula or from published averages. It has never met you, and it cannot see your blood pressure, your medication or an old injury.

Talk to a doctor before you start if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, diabetes or high blood pressure, take regular medication, have or have had an eating disorder, are recovering from injury or surgery, or are under 18. Stop and get advice if any exercise causes pain, dizziness or chest discomfort.

More about where these numbers come from is on the about page.