What Muscles do Burpees work

December 01, 2024 5 min read

What muscles do burpees work

What Muscles Do Burpees Work

Burpees are a comprehensive full-body exercise that engages multiple muscle groups through various phases of the movement. Here's a detailed breakdown of what muscles do burpees work during each phase of a burpee:


What Muscles do Burpees Work - Starting Position (Standing)

  • Core muscles : Engaged to maintain posture and stability

What Muscles do Burpees Work - Squat Down Phase

  • Quadriceps : Primary muscles used to lower the body into a squat position
  • Hamstrings : Assist in controlling the descent
  • Glutes : Activated to stabilize the hips
  • Calves : Provide stability and balance

What Muscles do Burpees Work - Plank Position Phase

  • Core muscles : Heavily engaged to maintain a straight body line
  • Shoulders (Deltoids) : Support body weight in the plank position
  • Chest (Pectorals) : Activated in preparation for the push-up
  • Triceps : Engaged to keep arms extended
  • Lower back muscles : Work to maintain proper spine alignment

What Muscles do Burpees Work - Push-Up Phase

  • Chest (Pectorals) : Primary muscles used to lower and push the body
  • Triceps : Assist in the pushing motion
  • Shoulders (Deltoids) : Work to stabilize the upper body
  • Core muscles : Remain engaged to maintain body alignment

What Muscles do Burpees Work - Jump Feet Forward Phase

  • Hip flexors : Activated to bring feet towards hands
  • Abdominals : Contract to assist in bringing legs forward
  • Quadriceps : Engage to move legs forward

What Muscles do Burpees Work - Standing Jump Phase

  • Quadriceps : Powerfully extend to propel the body upward
  • Hamstrings : Assist in the explosive movement
  • Glutes : Generate power for the jump
  • Calves : Provide the final push-off for the jump

What Muscles do Burpees Work - Landing Phase

  • Quadriceps : Eccentrically contract to control the landing
  • Hamstrings : Assist in stabilizing the legs upon landing
  • Calves : Help absorb the impact of the landing

Throughout the entire movement, the core muscles, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques, remain engaged to maintain stability and proper form . Additionally, the upper back muscles (trapezius and rhomboids) and latissimus dorsi are involved in maintaining posture and stability throughout the exercise .Burpees effectively combine elements of squats, push-ups, and jumps into one fluid motion, targeting nearly every major muscle group in your body. This makes them not only an excellent strength-building exercise but also a highly effective cardiovascular workout

Gym Equipment to Improve Burpees

We have put together  several pieces of gym equipment that can help improve burpees and add variety to your training:


Our Recommended Gym Equipment Ideas


  1. Dumbbells
  • Add weight to increase intensity
  • Help build strength and power
  • Engage additional muscle groups
  • Recommended: Hex dumbbells to prevent rolling during movement
  1. Weighted Vest
  • Provides consistent resistance
  • Allows full range of motion
  • Increases overall workout difficulty
  1. BOSU Ball
  • Adds instability to plank position
  • Improves core stability
  • Challenges balance during burpee variations
  1. Plyo Box
  • Enables box jump burpees
  • Increases explosive power
  • Adds variety to standard burpee movement

Improving Form & Technique of a Burpee

To improve your form and technique for burpees, focus on the following key points:

  1. Master proper form: Start in a standing position with feet shoulder-width apart, drop into a squat with hands on the ground, kick feet back to a plank position, perform a push-up, jump feet back to squat position, and explosively jump up with arms overhead .
  2. Keep your core tight: Engage your abs and glutes throughout the entire movement to improve effectiveness, maximize calorie burn, and reduce stress on your spine .
  3. Land on your heels: When jumping from the push-up position to your feet, aim to land on your heels rather than the balls of your feet to prevent calf fatigue .
  4. Relax on the way down: After the jump, loosen up your body and let gravity bring you to the ground to conserve energy for longer sets .
  5. Focus on technique before speed: Gradually increase intensity and speed only after mastering proper form .
  6. Use a controlled descent and ascent: Maintain a straight line from head to heels during the plank and push-up portions .
  7. Incorporate variations: Try mountain climber burpees, tuck jump burpees, or box jump burpees to challenge different muscle groups and prevent plateaus .
  8. Practice falling quickly: Use a crash mat to practice dropping to the ground rapidly and finding your most comfortable landing position .
  9. Develop a rhythm: Establish a consistent cadence to maintain efficiency throughout the exercise .
  10. Consider modifications: If needed, regress the movement by taking out jumps, performing knee push-ups, or using walkouts until you build strength and endurance .

By implementing these tips and consistently practicing, you'll improve your burpee form and technique, leading to more effective workouts and reduced risk of injury.

How to Perform A burPee Video

Benefits of Doing a Burpee

Burpees are a challenging yet highly beneficial exercise that offers a multitude of advantages for fitness enthusiasts. Here are the key benefits of incorporating burpees into your workout routine:


Full-Body Workout

Burpees engage multiple muscle groups, including the chest, shoulders, arms, core, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. This comprehensive engagement makes burpees an effective full-body workout that tones and strengthens various muscles simultaneously .


Cardiovascular Fitness

Burpees significantly elevate your heart rate and improve cardiovascular endurance. The rapid transitions between movements challenge both aerobic and anaerobic systems, enhancing overall heart and lung efficiency. This increased demand on the cardiovascular system contributes to better blood flow and reduced risk of heart disease  .


Fat Burning and Weight Loss

As a high-intensity exercise, burpees are excellent for burning calories—approximately 15 calories per minute. The combination of strength training and cardio in one movement boosts metabolism, resulting in continued calorie burning even after the workout has ended. This makes burpees particularly effective for weight loss and fat reduction .


Core Strengthening

Burpees require significant core engagement throughout the movement, which helps strengthen abdominal muscles and improve overall stability. A strong core is essential for maintaining good posture and reducing the risk of injuries during other physical activities .


Improved Agility, Balance, and Coordination

The dynamic nature of burpees enhances coordination and balance due to the various movements involved—squat, plank, push-up, and jump. Regular practice can lead to improved mobility and functional fitness, making everyday activities easier  .


Increased Power and Agility

The explosive nature of burpees helps develop fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are crucial for generating power and speed. This improvement in power can enhance performance in other sports and physical activities .


Convenience and Accessibility

Burpees require no special equipment and can be performed anywhere, making them an accessible workout option. This versatility allows you to incorporate them into any fitness routine without needing a gym or specific gear .In summary, burpees are a powerful exercise that combines strength training with cardiovascular conditioning. Their ability to work multiple muscle groups simultaneously while boosting endurance and promoting fat loss makes them a valuable addition to any fitness workouts

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