Is there a definitive "right way" to do a burpee?

[Run Amok]

Every instructor, it seems, has their own way of doing them.

Some want essentially a squat thrust, with a full pushup in the middle

Others seem to have this modified version where it's not really a pushup but more of a flop on the ground in the middle

Some don't include the pushup at all

Some insist arms go inside the knees others notsomuch

 

[merigayle]

Do not do them the wy I do. I am terrible and slow.

I do them by squat, jump legs back into plank, onto belly, jump back up by jumping legs back under you and stand up, jump, repeat.

[radial]

Do not do them the wy I do. I am terrible and slow.

I do them by squat, jump legs back into plank, onto belly, jump back up by jumping legs back under you and stand up, jump, repeat.

That sounds pretty close to perfect.  The problem for most people is that they don't know how to get into the squat position.  They round their backs instead of bending their knees and keeping their backs flat.  Especially the second one in the middle of the burpee when you have to move from plank to squat.   But it's all good.  No matter how badly you do a burpee, it's still better than not doing one. 

[merigayle]

In the beginning of the this video, my favorite trainer will show you a burpee, the video is about a variation, but shows a burpee in the beginning in slowed down fashion. I generally fall onto my stomach and am not this graceful

Bob Harper's Inside Out Method - Side Burpee Challenge

[Run Amok]

So, the burpee in that one doesn't include a pushup of any kind. Some people refer to that as a burpee and some people refer to that as a half burpee. That's what I'm saying.

I've had some people say this is proper form for a burpee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs3HBr5jdkU

I've had other trainers say this is the correct form (notice he does a squat thrust and lands in plank, then does a regular pushup, then back to squat-- not a flop on the ground at all)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc7VDvFD-wM

[merigayle]

I think it can be done either way, I think the first one is the "original" version and the second one (btw like his ballet slippers) is a variation adding the pushup. But I am not that schooled in these things.

[diablita]

In the beginning of the this video, my favorite trainer will show you a burpee, the video is about a variation, but shows a burpee in the beginning in slowed down fashion. I generally fall onto my stomach and am not this graceful

Bob Harper's Inside Out Method - Side Burpee Challenge

In CrossFit this does not qualify as a burpee.  It's a squat thrust.

RA, it may vary by box but where I work out this is closest to what we do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs3HBr5jdkU

Except that the way he gets back up where he kind of does an inch worm is not quite correct either.  I think there are tons of variations.  But there definitely has to be a push up for it to be a burpee.

And even with pushups we have different styles (e.g., hand release, etc) but chest really should get to the ground afaik.

[markalan]

I hate burpees - 

[wherestheportojohn]

I love/hate TTtG burpees.
Sadly, I haven't attempted any since blowing up a shoulder in February.
I am assuming I won't be doing any for many months, if ever.

[diablita]

TTtG?

Here's a good video showing my new burpee preference: burpee pull-up
The burpee part is basically how I do it.  You may have to watch it again and again. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkqTAk1ncCI

I can't do strict pull-ups yet (or even kipping well) so  I jump onto a box, then do a jumping pull-up from the box, then back down and start again.

[wherestheportojohn]

Tits to the ground: TTtG

[MikoftheWat]

A burpee without a pushup or the jump at the end is not a burpee.