Skipping or Burpees: Which Gets Better Results?

There’s a reason why skipping and burpees are two of the most hated exercises. Yes, they’re hard and super-tiring, but that’s why they work so well for increasing your fitness FAST!

But what is better for you and which one should you invest your time in? We uncover the benefits of each exercise and how to choose which one is best for you.

Skipping: the lowdown

Skipping is one of the best cardio workouts for improved heart health and fitness
Great for weight loss – you can burn up to 10 calories per minute
Less impact than running but still a weight bearing exercise, helping to improve bone density
Improves footwork, coordination, agility and balance
Requires persistence and dedication and focuses the mind
Utilises the whole body – legs, shoulders and arms and great for strengthening the core as well. It’s also great for maintaining correct posture by keeping the shoulders pulled back.
Easy to make variations to increase difficulty and intensity, including: speed, high knee running, single legs hops, jumping extra high, double-unders and folding arms

Also read: Top 10 Cardio Myths Busted

Burpees: the lowdown

There’s a reason elite sport coaches use burpees in their workouts – this simple movement tests both your strength and aerobic capacities
Burpees are the ultimate full body workout, targeting your arms, back, chest, glutes, core and legs
They’re more intense than skipping as they involve larger motions and recruit more muscle groups
Unlike skipping, burpees include a strength component, with greatest outcomes being achieved with a complex variation of a burpee (eg. include a push-up at bottom of movement and an explosive jump at the top)
Easily modifiable for different fitness levels (beginner to advanced options)
Because you’re using your full body at a high intensity level, burpees are highly effective for fat burning, and speed up your metabolism. This helps you to burn more calories throughout the day.

The verdict

The bottom line: do what you enjoy! While burpees can push your body to higher intensity levels (and, results), skipping is a great cardio option if you’re new to exercise.

Why not incorporate both into your weekly workout routine for an intense boost? (Check out the example workouts below). The most important thing is to choose an intensity level that challenges your fitness!