Burpee Calorie Calculator
Estimate how many calories you burn during burpee workouts based on your weight, duration, and intensity
Burpees are a full-body exercise that combines a squat, push-up, and jump into one dynamic movement. They are known for their high-intensity nature and ability to elevate heart rate quickly, making them an excellent exercise for cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning.
A standard burpee consists of the following steps:
- Start in a standing position
- Move into a squat position with your hands on the ground
- Kick your feet back into a plank position
- Perform a push-up (optional in some variations)
- Return your feet to the squat position
- Jump up from the squat position with arms extended overhead
Burpees are commonly included in HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts, CrossFit routines, and military training due to their effectiveness in building strength, endurance, and burning calories.
Our calculator uses the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula to estimate calorie burn during burpee exercises:
Calories Burned = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hours)
The MET value represents how many times more energy an activity requires compared to resting. Burpees have different MET values based on intensity:
- Light (Beginner): 8 METs
- Moderate (Intermediate): 10 METs
- Vigorous (Advanced): 12.5 METs
- Extreme (Elite): 15 METs
To use the calculator:
- Enter your weight (in kg or lbs)
- Input the duration of your burpee workout in minutes
- Select your intensity level
- Click "Calculate" to see your results
Several factors influence how many calories you burn during burpee exercises:
- Body weight: Heavier individuals burn more calories performing the same exercise due to greater energy requirements to move their body mass.
- Intensity: Performing burpees at a faster pace or with more explosive movements increases calorie burn.
- Fitness level: Beginners may burn more calories initially as their bodies are less efficient at the movement, but advanced exercisers can typically perform more repetitions in the same time period.
- Burpee variation: Adding elements like push-ups, tuck jumps, or weights increases the energy expenditure.
- Workout duration: Longer workouts burn more total calories, though intensity may decrease over time.
- Recovery time: Shorter rest periods between sets keep heart rate elevated and increase overall calorie burn.
Burpees offer numerous fitness benefits beyond just calorie burning:
- Full-body workout: Engages multiple muscle groups including chest, arms, shoulders, core, glutes, and legs.
- Cardiovascular conditioning: Rapidly elevates heart rate, improving cardiovascular health and endurance.
- No equipment needed: Can be performed anywhere with just your body weight.
- Time-efficient: Provides both strength and cardio benefits in a single exercise.
- Improved coordination: Requires coordination between different body parts and movements.
- Metabolic boost: High-intensity nature can increase metabolism for hours after exercise (EPOC effect).
- Adaptable: Can be modified for different fitness levels and goals.
There are many burpee variations that can increase intensity or target specific muscle groups:
- Beginner Burpee: No push-up, stepping back instead of jumping, and minimal or no jump at the end.
- Push-up Burpee: The standard version including a full push-up in the plank position.
- Jump Burpee: Adding a higher, more explosive jump at the end of the movement.
- Tuck Jump Burpee: Performing a tuck jump (knees to chest) instead of a regular jump.
- Box Jump Burpee: Jumping onto a box or platform at the end of the movement.
- Dumbbell Burpee: Holding dumbbells while performing the exercise for added resistance.
- One-legged Burpee: Performing the movement with one leg for increased difficulty.
- Lateral Jump Burpee: Adding a sideways jump instead of a vertical jump.
Each variation affects calorie burn differently, with more challenging versions typically resulting in higher energy expenditure.
How many calories does 100 burpees burn?
For a 70kg (154lb) person, 100 burpees at a moderate intensity might burn approximately 100-150 calories, depending on speed and form. This typically takes 8-10 minutes for an intermediate exerciser.
Are burpees good for weight loss?
Yes, burpees are excellent for weight loss as they combine strength training and cardio in one movement, burning significant calories during and after exercise through the EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption) effect.
How many burpees should a beginner do?
Beginners should start with 3-5 sets of 5-10 burpees with rest periods in between. Focus on proper form rather than quantity, and gradually increase as fitness improves.
Can I do burpees every day?
While burpees are effective, daily high-intensity burpee workouts may lead to overtraining. Consider alternating intense burpee days with lighter workouts or rest days to allow for recovery, especially if you're performing challenging variations.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides an estimate based on MET values and general exercise science principles. Individual factors like metabolism, technique, and exact movement patterns can affect actual calorie burn. For precise measurements, consider using a heart rate monitor or professional testing.