I hate burpees. The exercise where you move from a standing position to squatting and then jump your legs out behind you to a press-up position before immediately bringing your feet back up to your hands and then jumping up – repeated many times. I hate burpees, so I don’t do them.
Last night I was running on Hampstead Heath. As I ran I was plotting and measuring routes for my running group, trying to find gradients that weren’t too steep and circuits that were just the right length. My running group is made up of 16 women. Many of them haven’t run in years but they’ve joined because they want to start, and they want to run 5k. Some are motivated by weight loss, others by wanting to be a bit fitter and some just because they think it sounds fun.
As I ran around, planning routes for them for the next few weeks, I ran past a personal trainer putting two clients through their paces. They looked very similar to some of the women in my group. They seemed like they’d recently decided to start exercising. They seemed like they were struggling and they seemed like they weren’t having much fun. They were doing burpees.
I wanted to go over to them and tell them that this wasn’t the only way. That exercise doesn’t have to be painful and something to be endured, that it can be fun and rewarding. I wanted to tell them to come and run with me. That not everyone shouts at their clients and tells them to suck it up.
I wanted to tell them that if you want to keep exercising, you need to find an activity that you enjoy, a class that you look forward to going to and people that like doing what you do. I wanted to tell them that, it’s not just them, nobody enjoys burpees. And I wanted to tell them that they have the right to say NO to burpees and being shouted at.
I know that burpees can make your bum and legs stronger and help your fitness. That they can get results if you’re looking to change your bodyshape through exercise. I know this and I know this is why they’re often prescribed by PTs. But a few seconds faster in my next race just isn’t worth doing something that I hate. And for someone new to exercise to be presented with something that makes elite athletes dread a training session isn’t the right way to encourage them to keep exercising.
Down with burpees.
I’m with ya! I’ve never done a burpee but have always felt guilty that I should have. They are not on my bucket list yet a triathlon is. From this moment forward I shall not allow myself to feel any guilt over never performing a burpee!!!
Exactly! When will people understand that they’re more likely to get faster, better and easier results doing something they enjoy? I don’t do burpees because I hate them (only slightly less than I hate froggers). I’d rather do other things to get those kinds of benefits (like squats in front of the tv – you just can’t see the tv if your face is on the ground more than half the time!)
I don’t love every single run I do. Some runs can seriously suck and I hate them. But I always know around the corner is that great run. And that keeps me at it. I have never in my life experienced a good burpee. I know I will never experience a good burpee. I know this because they don’t exist. I totally agree with your post. It’s just not worth it!! Also, those people are more likely to try harder and push themselves in something they enjoy – with burpees you just want it to stop. That can’t be a good way to workout!
As a CPT myself I have had several of my clients do burpees (myself as well) but a good trainer will modify a workout to their clients likes/needs. So while you might not like burpees, others might not like running, it’s all a balance! P.S. there is such a thing as modified burpees that’s a bit more kind to the body….just a bit though lol
I love burpees. I honestly do. I agree, though, that being shouted at may not be the best motivation for everyone (although I have a friend who claims it’s the only thing that works for her). Personal trainers should listen to and adjust to their clients.
First comment on new blog and I hang my head in shame that it’s coming so late. First of all: buck furpees! I hate them. They make me lose the will to live. The first five are usually ok and I think, hey, I’ve gotten better at this thing. Then, after the sixth one, I remember that I loathe them. However, just like a tough interval session, where I’m running so hard that I feel like I might either pass out or throw up (or both) and am hating every minute of it, I do feel one mighty sense of accomplishment about 2.2. seconds after finishing. So no, you should never be yelled at, but every once in a while it’s not such a bad idea to get out of your comfort zone because that smug feeling of having done something you don’t like but that you stuck to anyways, is a pretty sweet one!
p.s. Love the new blog!