The Burpee

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ByCrossFitJanuary 5, 2019

In CrossFit, the burpee is a mainstay movement used to develop fitness. In certain populations, the burpee (prone to stand) is a critical skill required to safely lower one’s body to the ground and stand back up.

Comments on The Burpee

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Andrew Bell
February 6th, 2023 at 10:51 am
Commented on: The Burpee

Love it. In my case I am still doing my burpees at 78. Just a little slower! I know of a number of people that have fallen and found the next day on the floor because they could not get up. CrossFit is your lifeboat!

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Dan DeLeuw
February 6th, 2023 at 3:48 am
Commented on: The Burpee

Good to see my friend Bob.

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Allison Autrey
January 7th, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Commented on: The Burpee

Love showing this to my 67 year old parents!

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Erin Agres
January 7th, 2019 at 8:46 pm

I couldn't agree more with this! My parents always say "I can't do that!" Having this helps convince them that THEY CAN!

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Keri Mucha
January 7th, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Commented on: The Burpee

Oh the Burpee. Such a love/hate relationship I have with you.

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Mike Warkentin
January 6th, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Commented on: The Burpee

What’s truly amazing is how older athletes who have done CrossFit can perform this movement better than their peers and better than deconditioned people 40 years younger. Some people under 50 can’t do this movement at all, but if they start rebuilding themselves now, they’ll be fitter at 51 than they were at 25.

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Joe Westerlin
January 6th, 2019 at 2:59 pm
Commented on: The Burpee

I love it Rory!


“The marginal capacity to stand separates those who should live alone from those who should not.” - Greg Glassman


I’ve fallen....and I CAN get up!

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Tyler Hass
January 6th, 2019 at 5:34 am
Commented on: The Burpee

This is a great reminder of the importance of “function” in functional movements. Ever increasing power output is the ultimate goal. But it all begins with accomplishing a realistic, valuable task, such as engaging with the ground and getting back up. The burpee isn’t just an exercise but a survival skill.

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Rory Mckernan
January 6th, 2019 at 10:03 am

I couldn't agree more. Additionally, I can say without reservation that nothing is more rewarding to a coach than unlocking a client's ability to live independently.


The Burpee (and other iterations of ground to stand) are a major gateway to independence. Amongst the seniors (and obese) I work coach, acquiring this skill is met with more fan fare than any (name your movement) PR than you will see from the general population.


Working with those to whom this movement matters the most has forced me to face how much I take for granted as well - and to be grateful.

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Ryan Mak
January 6th, 2019 at 1:38 pm

Yes! I'm loving these new images/movement depictions particularly with "older" adults whom I have a passion for training and continuing to help function. Thank You CrossFit!

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