What does burpee mean?
A burpee is a type of full-body exercise that combines a squat, push-up, and jump. It is commonly used in fitness classes and physical training programs to improve cardiovascular endurance and strength. The exercise involves starting in a standing position, dropping down into a squat, kicking back into a plank position, performing a push-up, quickly returning to the squat position, and then jumping up into the air. Burpees are often used as a form of conditioning and can be modified to suit different fitness levels. They are a popular exercise among athletes and fitness enthusiasts due to their effectiveness in improving overall fitness.
nounA full-body exercise that involves a squat, push-up, and jump. It is often used as a form of physical training.
- A type of exercise
- A physical challenge
"The fitness class ended with a set of burpees to get everyone's heart rate up."
"The athlete completed a set of 10 burpees in under a minute."
"Burpees are a common obstacle in military training courses."
countable, used to refer to multiple instances of the exercise
"The athletes completed three sets of 10 burpees each."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of burpee
The term 'burpee' is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1930s. It is named after Royal H. Burpee, the inventor of the exercise. Burpee developed the exercise as part of a fitness test for the US Navy's 'Vigorous Test' in 1937.
Usage notes
Informal and used in fitness contexts.