I never burp

image source

Really, the title should read "I never burpeed." But that's not nearly as much fun.

(Somehow I've never been tempted to do an exercise that sounds like what a baby does after bottle-time...)
But that changed today.

(Just) Trying is for Little Girls threw down a "New to You" cross training challenge.

The goal: get out of your comfort zone at least once each month in 2012. This can be as simple as downloading a new workout from the interwebs or as adventurous as taking a rock climbing class. It just has to be something new to... Me.

I like the concept. Comfort = training plateau. Discomfort = new challenges.

So, today I tackled my first cross training challenge: Burpees.
(Yes, I know I'm late to this party.)

According to Bodybuilding.com, Burpees involve four simple steps:

1. Begin in a squat position with hands on the floor in front of you.
2. Kick your feet back to a pushup position.
3. Immediately return your feet to the squat position.



Source: iowagirleats.com

via Katie on Pinterest

4. Leap up as high as possible from the squat position.

How hard could they be?

During my lunch break, I went through this "Fitness at Home" circuit a couple of times (with some modifications -- no high knees for me on a 2-for-Tuesday run day).

The verdict: I like doing a 10-minute interval session right before lunch, so that's a "new to me" cross training lesson I'm glad I learned. In fact, this sort of mini-workout might save me from the insanity of 12-hour workdays this semester!

BUT... I don't understand the allure of burpees. To me, burpees feel like a Sun Salutation on crack -- all the speed, none of the finesse.

What am I missing?
Are you a fan of the burpee?