Ten burpees typically burn 3–10 calories for most adults, depending on body weight, pace, and whether the set is done at HIIT intensity.
Calories For 10
Time Window
Intensity Band
Basic
- Step back to plank
- No push-up
- Soft half-jump
Lower impact
Better
- Standard hop to plank
- Optional push-up
- Reach overhead
Gym pace
Beast
- Explosive jump
- Strict push-up
- Short rest
HIIT block
Calories Burned For 10 Burpees: Real-World Ranges
Burpees sit in the calisthenics family. Energy rises with body mass, rep speed, and how hard you push. Exercise science frames this with MET values. Vigorous calisthenics that include burpees sits near 7.5 MET, while a short HIIT burst can land around 11 MET.
The math is tidy: calories per minute = MET × 3.5 × body weight (kg) ÷ 200. From there, adjust for time. Ten reps can take 30–60 seconds based on pace. That single choice halves or doubles the estimate.
Quick Table: Calories For 10 Burpees (By Weight & Pace)
This table uses a 7.5 MET baseline (vigorous calisthenics). Pick the row closest to your weight and the column that matches your pace.
| Body Weight | 10 Reps At 10/min | 10 Reps At 20/min |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kg (110 lb) | 6.6 kcal | 3.3 kcal |
| 68 kg (150 lb) | 8.9 kcal | 4.5 kcal |
| 82 kg (180 lb) | 10.8 kcal | 5.4 kcal |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 13.1 kcal | 6.6 kcal |
Once you map a pace, small sets fall into place. Many people like to think in daily energy. That picture is clearer once you know your daily calorie burn, then drop in the occasional burpee burst.
What Changes The Count For Ten Burpees?
Body Weight Drives The Baseline
The same ten reps cost more energy for a larger body. Double the mass, and the minute rate roughly doubles at the same MET level. That is why fixed rep counts can feel easy for one person and spicy for another.
Rep Speed Sets The Clock
Ten smooth burpees at a steady gym pace may take a minute. A sharp set inside a timer might finish in 30–35 seconds. Faster work trims the time window, so a single set burns fewer calories even though it feels tougher. Over a full workout, high pace can still raise the total because you slot more work into the clock.
HIIT Versus Steady Calisthenics
Short bursts lift the MET value. That bump offsets the shorter time. On a Tabata round, the per-minute burn climbs, which helps a ten-rep set land in the upper end of the range.
How To Estimate Your Own Number
Step 1: Pick An Intensity Band
Use 7.5 MET for a steady set. Use 11 MET for a hard HIIT burst that includes jumps and fast transitions.
Step 2: Convert Weight To Kilograms
Divide pounds by 2.205 or just multiply by 0.45 for a quick ballpark. Round to the nearest kilo.
Step 3: Estimate The Time Window
Ten reps at an easy gym pace takes about 60 seconds. A brisk set lands near 40 seconds. Fast work can drop to 30 seconds.
Step 4: Do The Math
Plug the pieces into the formula and multiply by your minutes. Example: 68 kg at 7.5 MET for 40 seconds (0.67 min) ≈ 7.5 × 3.5 × 68 ÷ 200 × 0.67 ≈ 6.0 kcal.
Close Variant: How Many Calories Are Burned By 10 Burpees In A HIIT Round?
Inside a sprint round, the intensity label rises. Using the 11 MET band, the same 68 kg person at a 30 second pace lands near 6.5–7 kcal. Larger bodies push higher; smaller bodies fall lower.
Reference Table: HIIT Band For 10 Burpees
This table shows one body size so you can see how the clock changes the single-set count at a higher MET band.
| Pace | Time For 10 | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | ~1:00 | 13.1 kcal |
| Moderate | ~0:40 | 8.7 kcal |
| Fast | ~0:30 | 6.5 kcal |
Form Tweaks That Nudge Energy
Add A Push-Up
Dropping a full push-up raises the demand on the upper body and slows each rep slightly. Expect a small bump in energy per set with a matching change in time.
Add A Higher Jump
Reaching overhead with a firm jump taxes the lower body more and edges the MET band upward. Keep landings soft to save your joints.
Use A Step-Back Version
Stepping to plank trims impact and speed. That drops both the per-minute and the per-set number. It still counts toward your training day.
Programming: Where Do Ten Burpees Fit?
Warm-Up Sprinkle
Slip in 2–3 easy sets between mobility drills. You build heat fast without draining the tank.
Between Lifts
Use ten-rep bursts as a heart-rate pick-up between strength movements. Keep the sets smooth so the main lifts stay sharp.
Timed Finishers
Pick a short timer and repeat ten reps on the minute or every two minutes. Count sets and track total energy from the session.
Safety And Recovery Notes
Land softly, brace your mid-section, and keep shoulders stacked over hands in plank. New movers can swap jumps for step-backs. If you’re returning from a layoff, start with a few sets and see how your hips, knees, and wrists feel the next day.
How This Article Calculates Calories
Energy ranges here draw on published MET values for calisthenics that list burpees and for HIIT blocks that include them. Calories per minute follow the standard MET-to-kcal conversion tied to oxygen cost. For plain-language intensity categories, see the CDC guide. The Compendium page lists the MET numbers used by exercise pros.
Want a simple next step? Try our benefits of exercise primer for training ideas that pair well with bodyweight work.