Flipping through my local newspaper last Saturday, I came across the above title minus the question mark. (Bonus points for anyone who can name my local paper in the comments section. Here’s a HINT)

I’m definitely uneasy about using descriptive words like “the best” or “#1″ when talking about any health related matter, especially exercise movements for fat loss, because we should all know by now that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to losing fat and staying fit.

[Now if these girls told me this exercise was #1, I just might have to listen!]

Think about it: If we all lose fat or build muscle the same way, then there would only be a need for one book or program? But if you’ve spent anytime inside a book store you’ll see hundreds upon hundreds of different books about losing weight or burning fat.

Back to the headline: It’s clear the message behind this title is trying to make you feel inadequate if your not doing that specific movement as part of your exercise routine.

Is it time to throw in the fat loss towel?

Never!

Don’t worry about the latest and greatest exercises. We are always learning and experimenting with what works for us as individuals.

Just because someone claims this is the greatest thing since sliced bread doesn’t necessarily translate equally to your exercise or fitness palette.

The article continues with this sub-heading:

THE BURPEE/CHINUP IS THE IDEAL WAY TO BURN FAT AND BOOST YOUR HEART HEALTH

Whoa… Not only is it the best fat loss exercise known to man for burning your fat, but it will boost your heart health too. My spokian eyebrow has been raised!

Now I don’t want to copy the article verbatum here but in summary it talks about the most effective fat-burning exercises are the ones in which you move your body weight through space.

Yes, I’m cool with that!

And they continue: “We’ve combined two of these exercises — the burpee and the chinup — into one megamovement. In addition to providing a highly effective full-body workout, this routine also saves you time, requiring only five minutes to complete.”

Less time in the gym? I’m really cool with that!

Let’s do this! The Burpee/Chinup megamovement:

Set a timer for five minutes. Perform as many reps as you can in that time, resting when needed.

Afterward, write down the total number of reps you performed and try to break that record by getting a rep or two more in the next workout.

Continue this week after week until you can’t add another rep in the time frame.

How It’s Done:

1. Stand under a chinup bar.

2. Squat down, place your hands on the floor, and jump back with your feet while lowering your chest to the floor.

3. Push up and reverse the motion quickly, standing and jumping to grab the chinup bar.

4. Perform a chinup using momentum and then drop back to the floor.

[Doesn't sound too hard but take a look at how this girls push-up form gets progressively worse! God bless her though, because she can probably do more then the average guy.]

Let me tell you, five minutes is a long time and it’s no wonder when I googled this exercise I found it lumped in with terms like prison workout, passing out, and throwing up.

For a beginner I wouldn’t suggest the as-many-as-you-can-do in 5 minutes approach because it’s way to hardcore.

Try starting out with 3 sets of 10 reps and progressively work your way up. This is a full body workout and covers your bases for most muscle groups as the (good) throbbing in my body was proof.

BUT… I’ll stop short of calling it the best fat loss exercise. Instead, it’s another tool to use along our fat loss journey.

Of course, you wanna know how many I did, right?

Mark me down with 42 in 4 minutes. I had nothing left in the gas tank for the final minute. I’ll do better next time!

Still wanting more? Check out our Turbulence Training review from Craig Ballantyne. His program utilizes a full array of bodyweight exercises that have been featured in Men’s Fitness magazine and helped men and women everywhere lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less time.

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