Why You’ll Never See a Burpee at River City Strength

I’m about through with this season of Last of Us and it pretty much covers all forms of human movement:

Jumping. Running. Crawling. 

Tip-toeing. Crouching. Climbing.

Squatting. Lifting. Carrying.

Dragging. Vaulting. Swimming.

It makes sense that if you’re trying to evade all the evils of a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world, you’ll use every combination of movement humanly possible.

But you know what I haven’t seen across an entire season?

Not a single burpee.

Why? Simple. Burpees are dumb.

Now, if you love burpees—more power to you. But in nearly six years of coaching at River City Strength, we’ve never programmed a single burpee. Not because we hate hard work. Not because we don’t want to challenge people. It’s because training should build you up, not break you down.

What Makes an Exercise Worth Doing?

If you’re wondering whether an exercise is a good fit for your routine, consider these five criteria we use with every member at River City Strength:

1. Does it match your ability?
   You should be able to perform a movement safely and without pain. A good exercise should challenge you without pushing you into injury or exhaustion.
2. Does it match your goals?
   Are you training to feel stronger? Move better? Improve your energy or reduce pain? An exercise doesn’t help you get closer to your specific goals.
3. Does it match your plan?
   We don’t believe in random. Every movement we program has a reason. You should be able to progress it, regress it, and fit it into a bigger strategy that moves you forward over time.
4. Does it match your recovery?
   It’s okay to feel a little sore the next day—especially in the muscles you worked. But your joints? That’s a no. Good training makes you stronger over time, not wrecked every week.
5. Does it match your preferences?
   Training should be something you want to do because it involves exercises you enjoy. You don’t have to love every rep, but you should enjoy the process.

Movement Should Be Functional, Not Punishment

We believe training should reflect the demands of real life. It should prepare you to pick up your grandkid, climb the stairs without pain, or haul groceries. It’s why we focus on strength, stability, and movements that translate to life outside the gym—not arbitrary exercises designed to leave you face-down on the mat.

So no, we don’t do burpees.

But we do squat, hinge, push, pull, carry, and climb.

And if zombies ever do show up?

Whelp.

We’re doing our best to increase our survival rate.

Hate Burpees Too? You’ll Fit Right In.

If you’re tired of beatdown-style workouts that leave you dreading your next session, we get it. At River City Strength in Castle Hills, TX, we help busy adults, over 40, feel stronger and healthier.

Burpee-free smart strength training that meets you where you are and moves you forward.

Jesse

P.S. Still skeptical? We’ve been burpee-free since day one—and we’re not about to change that now. Reply to this post or CLICK HERE and see for yourself.