“Burpees – I understand that these are favored among convicts in the California penal system due to the fact that one can get a total body workout with a minimum of space. Currently I don’t do them, but these were my favorite exercise about 3 to 4 years ago. Start in a standing position with feet close together. Now, squat down and put the plams of your hands outside and slightly forward of your feet. With your weight supported by your hands, thrust your feet backward so that you are in the traditional ‘up position’ for a standard pushup. Do a pushup and return to the up position. Immediately after the pushup, pull your feet up to your hands in one movement, and stand back up to the original position. This is one ‘rep’. These will flat wear you out in short order, and are a good overall body conditioner.”
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In boot-camp, these were called 8-count bodybuilders. Same as above with the addition of kicking your feet out and bringing them back together after the push-up. They do wear you out in a hurry, but they’re great for conditioning. When it comes to the benefits of body weight exercises, the Navy made a believer out of me!