Ah, the burpee. If you’re a veteran of the gym—or even if you’ve just attended a few exercise classes, only to quit in discouragement—you probably know this exercise. And there’s a good chance you hate it, too!
But there’s a good reason to take another look at the burpee. This exercise works pretty much everything on your body—arms, back, abs, hamstrings and chest—while also giving you a great cardio workout. Sounds a little like firefighting, right?
In this quick video, Aaron Zamzow, a firefighter with Madison (WI) Fire Department and founder of Fire Rescue Fitness, explains why the burpee is one of the essential conditioning exercises for firefighters. Watch to learn how you can start to incorporate burpees into your fitness routine, whether you’re a workout beginner or a gym veteran.
Check out these additional essential exercises for firefighters:
Core Exercises for Firefighters: The Plank
Strength-Training Exercises for Firefighters: The Goblet Squat
