Can you lose weight with just burpees? The truth behind the viral workout trend
Published on: Oct. 9, 2025, 8 p.m. | Source: Times of India
In the age of social media fitness challenges, trends come and go. Sometimes the strength training challenges take over; sometimes, pilates reigns. Something, cardio sessions rule the trend; sometimes, HIITs steal the limelight.For example, now, burpees have taken on the status of superiority, claiming that they’re the ultimate technique that helps shed pounds. Videos all over social media are showing people doing hundreds of them in a row, claiming they “melt fat” and promise dramatic weight loss. But, how scientifically true is it? Can you lose weight with just burpees — or is that a fitness myth wrapped in sweat?Turns out, the truth lies somewhere in between. While burpees are powerful and efficient, they are not a magic bullet. They do offer serious benefits, as they engage multiple muscle groups, spike your heart rate, and can be a powerful addition to your routine when done properly. They may help accelerate fat loss, but not magically erase pounds by themselves.In reality, effective weight loss is usually far more complex. It involves energy balance (how many calories you eat vs. burn), your metabolism, sleep, stress, and more.Here, we dig into what science says: how many calories burpees burn, their benefits, limitations, and what role they can realistically play in a weight-loss plan. Whether you’re a beginner or fitness enthusiast, this will help you see burpees for what they really are — a tool, not a miracle.
