Fat people and burpees

sarahp86
sarahp86 Posts: 692 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm fat. And I do bootcamp. I can normally do every exercise except burpees. Just not physically able to do burpees. I can't bring my legs up to my chest far enough without falling over or getting stuck.

I'm embarrassed cos most others can do it. Anyone else have this problem? It's a major pain. I'm also very tall at 6ft which with big boobs, bum makes it awkward. Not making excuses but I try so hard every time and just can't do them. Any tips?

Replies

  • _Resolve_
    _Resolve_ Posts: 735 Member
    Yes, I normally don't say I cant do something... I cant do burpees.
  • quiltlovinlisa
    quiltlovinlisa Posts: 1,710 Member
    They're hard. I've been doing step burbees to modify, instead of jumping, step one foot back, then the other, then one forward, then the other. That helps. It's getting easier. I'm going to keep working on it because I want to master this!
  • sumeetg37
    sumeetg37 Posts: 108 Member
    Are you planting your hands outside your knees or inside? I believe there is a modification you can do where you have a slightly wider stance and plant hands inside which might make it a bit easier...
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Consider breaking the exercise down and working on them individually. The portion you seem to be struggling with could be improved if you worked on on mountain climbers.

    That said, the point of boot camp is to keep you moving. So, when you're actually doing the workout and they go to burpees, modify the movement and just keep moving.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    I was the same way, I just could not bring myself to do them, then I decided that in July I would set myself a burpee challenge, each day I would do a burpees (i.e. July 1, one burpee, July 2, two burpees, July 3, three burpees) you get the point. By the end of the month I completed 31 burpees, I was slow, but I did them. Now when they come up in my workout routine, I don't modify or skip them, I do them. Mind you I'm still slow and I can't keep up, but I'm doing them. Also, I still fricken' hate them!
  • soehlerking
    soehlerking Posts: 589 Member
    meh. I don't see them as being necessary. I lift heavy weights. I do the elliptical. I run long distances. I swim. I even Zumba when somebody pays my way. But when Jillian Michaels tells me to Burpee, I flip her the bird. I personally do not enjoy throwing myself on the ground repeatedly. (Also I might need to clean my floor.) I'm not saying go chill on the couch, but if it makes you feel inadequate or hurts not-so-good, switch it out for something else. Do something you enjoy. Just my preference.
  • DesDawn24
    DesDawn24 Posts: 147 Member
    I have nightmares about burpees dating back to high school volleyball :(. I too am chunky, so burpees are a struggle (belly always seems to get in the way!). I've never been able to do them properly, but with a lot of hard work I've come close! Widen your stance, and take it a bit slower if you have to in order to practice your form. Don't be too worried if you can't pull your legs as close to your chest, that part will come with time. Just do the best you can!
  • HeatherRM14
    HeatherRM14 Posts: 33 Member
    Do you have some sort of step or bench available during your boot camp? That can make burpees easier. I have bad knees and a fat gut so burpees are hard for me. Doing them on something that gives me more room between me and the floor helps a lot
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    I had the same issue. Trying to do the burpee, when I would bring my feet forward,I had 2 options: 1. only bring them to within about 2 feet of my hands - which made popping up difficult. or 2. bringing them as far forward as I could, and face-planting.

    I had a trainer that had me do "benchees" .. same basic move, but instead of taking your hands all the way to the ground, you place your hands on a low bench.

    It got me over the hurdle. Now that I can DO them .. I don't feel the need to any more.
  • star5785
    star5785 Posts: 140
    They're hard. I've been doing step burbees to modify, instead of jumping, step one foot back, then the other, then one forward, then the other. That helps. It's getting easier. I'm going to keep working on it because I want to master this!

    I do this ^^ now but at first I was only able to stay in plank while everyone else was doing the actual burpee. Once your arms get stronger, you can progress further.
  • FractalTomSelleck
    FractalTomSelleck Posts: 1
    They're really hard! One thing that helped me was a teacher telling me to picture the UP of the jump with my feet, not the jump forward/back. If I emphasize the jumping UP motion towards the ceiling, it actually helps me move into and out of the push up/plank position easier. Jumping up higher with your feet helps you clear the ground.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    They suck! Don't do them as part of your routine.
  • MzLaLa29
    MzLaLa29 Posts: 258 Member
    They're hard. I've been doing step burbees to modify, instead of jumping, step one foot back, then the other, then one forward, then the other. That helps. It's getting easier. I'm going to keep working on it because I want to master this!

    THIS ^^^^^

    There's a tabata routine somewhere on here http://www.youtube.com/user/superherofitnesstv/videos

    I can't find it presently but it's Keaira with two guys. The one doing the modified version will demonstrate how you can do the burpees
  • sarahp86
    sarahp86 Posts: 692 Member
    Thanks for all your suggestions :) friggan hate them but have bootcamp tomorrow morning and I'm stiff from yesterday's class... Yay
    :noway:

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