Cardio exercise · body weight
Burpee
The burpee is a bodyweight exercise that targets your heart and lungs, with the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves assisting.
- Target muscle
- Cardiovascular system
- Also works
- Quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest
- Equipment
- Body weight
- Body part
- Cardio
How to do the burpee
- Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and placing your hands on the floor in front of you.
- Kick your feet back into a push-up position.
- Perform a push-up, keeping your body in a straight line.
- Jump your feet back into the squat position.
- Jump up explosively, reaching your arms overhead.
- Land softly and immediately lower back into a squat position to begin the next repetition.
Sets and reps
Work in intervals — for example 30–45 seconds on and 15–30 seconds off for 6–10 rounds — or keep a steady pace for 10–20 minutes.
Muscles worked
The main muscle is your heart and lungs. The quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, shoulders and chest work as secondary muscles. See all cardio exercises or every bodyweight exercise.
