Why We’re Ditching Burpees and Questioning Planks

December 13, 2023

Welcome to another hilarious and surprisingly educational episode of Nacho Fitness Coach! This time, Sara (the expert) and Caleigh (the brave beginner) tackle the fitness world’s favorite torture tools: burpees and planks. From accidental push-up challenges to form fails and alternative core moves, they’re breaking down why some popular exercises might be better left behind.

Push-Up Problems and Presidential Flashbacks

Before we even got into burpees, we realized something: we totally forgot about push-ups on the Presidential Fitness Test challenge. Oops.

So what did we do? Push-ups. Right before recording. At the same time. In the most chaotic, giggle-filled way possible.

We both did real, floor-level push-ups (not on our knees!)
We tied — two each — mostly because we started laughing too hard to finish
Sara explains push-ups are a “push” movement for the chest, kind of like a bodyweight bench press
Pro tip: skip the knee push-ups — use a wall or table to keep better form while building strength

Burpees: The Fitness World’s Most Pointless Exercise?

Now, onto the villain of the episode: burpees.

Sara pulls no punches on this one — she hates burpees. Like, would-rather-sit-on-the-couch level hate.

Why?

They’re high-impact and usually done wrong
Most people don’t have the mobility for them
They include a push-up and a jump — both of which are risky when done poorly
They’re commonly overused in workouts like CrossFit, but not actually effective
If it’s burpees vs couch... she chooses the couch (yes, seriously)

Caleigh did her first-ever burpee during this episode, and spoiler alert: it will probably also be her last.

Planks: Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be

Think you’re being a core queen with your daily planks? Think again.

Sara isn’t a fan of planks either — and not just because they’re boring. She breaks down why planks often do more harm than good, especially for women post-pregnancy:

Most people collapse their form and clasp their hands together, which caves the shoulders
Poor hip positioning can push the abdominal wall outward instead of strengthening it
Gravity works against your core when your form starts to fail
It’s an easy way to look like you're doing something while actually reinforcing bad movement

Better alternatives?

Hanging leg raises or knee tucks (great for engaging your core and encouraging hip flexion)
Using an exercise ball to roll knees to chest while keeping your hands on the floor

So What Should You Do Instead?

Sara recommends focusing on controlled, well-aligned exercises that truly strengthen your core and support your body mechanics. If you're unsure about a move, don’t be afraid to substitute something smarter!

Examples of exercises Sara likes better:

Dumbbell rows (back strength!)
Hammer curls
Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts (even if Caleigh’s not totally sure she’s doing them right)
Tricep kickbacks instead of awkward overhead extensions

🏋️ Key Takeaways

Push-ups are hard — but effective. Use a wall or table to scale before dropping to knees.
Burpees? Skip them. They’re high-risk, low-reward, and just plain annoying.
Planks can mess with your core if you’re not careful with form and alignment.
Better core moves include hanging leg raises or stability ball tucks.
Don’t be afraid to swap exercises. Customizing your workout is smart, not lazy.

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