Jumping rope is not just for kids, but if you’re like most people, it’s likely you haven’t done it since you were a kid. Maybe it’s time to reacquaint yourself with this great exercise and simple life pleasure. It’s an inexpensive, portable aerobic exercise that you can do anywhere – you just need a rope, sneakers and a flat surface. It provides a great workout which, when done properly at moderate to high intensity, can yield calorie-burning benefits on par with running or spinning. Oh, and did we mention that it’s fun?
See 9 Benefits of Jumping Rope You Probably Don’t Know and click through for more detail on each:
1. Improves Coordination
2. Decreases Foot and Ankle Injuries
3. Burns Major Calories
4. Completely Portable and Fun
5. Improves Bone Density
6. Improves Cardiovascular Health
7. Improved Breathing Efficiency
8. Makes You Smarter
9. Improves Your Ability to Stay Calm
Of course, like any new exercise regime, you might want to check in with your physician first – particularly if you’ve had any prior knee, ankle or foot injuries. You should start slow and work your way up. Depending on your fitness goals, you might opt for either a speed or a weighted rope. At Livestrong, Jeremy Hoefs talks about the difference: Weighted Jump Rope Vs. Speed Rope.
“A weighted jump rope and speed rope both provide the same basic benefits, which include improved coordination, agility, footwork, quickness and endurance. Using a speed rope, however, focuses on speed and quickness and is better for developing coordination and conditioning by increasing the speed of the rope. Weighted jump ropes, on the other hand, burn a significant amount of calories and can be effective for increasing strength and promoting weight loss.”
If you’d like to do your rope-jumping routine at home, this guide offers terrific practical advice on space requirements that takes about ceiling heights and space that you need around you: Jump Rope Indoors FAQ: Home Workout Tips For Small Spaces.
This great infographic from the Fix.com blog talks about the health benefits of rope jumping, offers tips on how to buy the right rope, talks about starting with a warm-up of stretching exercises and suggests a 30-minute skipping workout.
Source: Fix.com Blog