BLOG 5 BURPEE…(eye roll inserted here)
The burpee. I know you just rolled your eyes and instantly
thought how much you hate them. They’re demanding and challenging and work all
the major muscle groups. So even though we love to hate them, burpees are an
incredibly beneficial functional exercise. They certainly make my heart race
and quickly exhaust me. Best part…. no equipment needed. One starts by bending
down into a pushup position, followed by jumping or stepping the feet back, and
finishing by using lower body strength to return to the standing positon by
jumping or stepping back in. Variables might include adding a pushup or an
explosive jump at the end. We can even add dumbbells. That’s it. Sounds so
simple…. NOT!!!! Our arms, legs, cardiovascular endurance, and mind, are simultaneously
tested to complete each one.
So I thought it would be entertaining to look up the history
of the burpee for you all. According to an article in the Huffington Post, by
Sally Tamarkan (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/02/burpee-history_n_5248575.html),
physiologist, Royal H. Burpee, formulated the exercise as part of a fitness
assessment of the heart rate to determine one’s “overall fitness”. The 6 part
exercise was never intended to be done in high volumes, but it has evolved into
one of the most taxing body weight exercises one can perform. In society that
wants fast results and instant gratification, doing burpees is of those best
bang for your buck deals.
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is making people
do things they never thought they were capable of. Anyone can do anything, and
that is one of my top priorities. There are modifications for all exercises and
let me to you, when a 67 year old woman is doing a burpee at the studio, I do
have a smirk on my face. So while you roll your eyes, I’m excited to see you
take your body to places you told me when we first met that you were restricted
or limited by. They say it’s not polite to burpee, but we are on a quest to be
fit so I will allow you to “burpee” as much as you want at the studio.
Under Megan's tutelage, Burpee becomes a verb. Under Megan's tutelage, Burpees become modified to allow for my torn rotator cuff. Megan makes working out both challenging and fun. Her music selections are impeccable. She smirks at this 62 year old body all of the time. Nevertheless, she has helped change this body remarkably. Viva la Burpee! Viva la Megan!
ReplyDeleteBurpees...no comment...but I'm greatful for everything else
ReplyDeleteIt's hard, hard work, a burpee, that is, but with Megan's push, it gets somewhat easier and YOU CAN DO IT!!! Thank you Megan for believing in me....
ReplyDelete