jumping rope

i've gotten most of my information from various websites, fitness shows, and magazines, so if i'm a little hazy with details, please forgive me.


instead of getting an expensive cardio machine, or becoming involved with an elaborate work out program, try going to your local sporting goods store and find yourself a nice jump rope for $10 or less. most ppl that are 6' or shorter can use a nine foot rope. taller athletes may need a 10' rope. go out and look for a basic speed rope. no need for any leather or weighted rope until you become proficient in the basic movements.

like with anything, you'll stuggle at first. the hand eye coordination is difficult, and i found myself tripping over the rope every 3-5 rotations. but stick with it and you'll find you can go a minute without tripping and little by little you'll be going longer. google some videos on how to jump properly. no skipping... we're not in third grade anymore, lol! develope the simple jumps at first, and go for length of the work out.

while jumping rope does put a stress on your knees and ankles, it is not as bad as running can be. yes, wear comfortable sneakers, but try and jump on a forgiving surface such as a foam mat, a wooden floor, or a tennis court. (i did 20 minutes on asphalt today. i'm fine.) Ten minutes of jumping rope can be the equivalent of running an 8 minute mile as far as calories burned goes.

This is a great way to work out for ppl that travel and don't want to run outside in an unfamiliar place or the hotel gym is inadequete.

I've been thinking about buying a jump rope, but I haven't been able to figure out where I would use it. It probably wouldn't work out well in grass, would it?

negative. grass will cause it to drag, and because it can be uneven and with little pebbles, can cause you to trip and possibly hurt yourself.

i know, you don't want to look silly skipping rope. neither do i. thats why i would go to a playground in my neighborhood at about 8am on days off. too early for the moms and kids. added benefit, i usually find an acceptable horizontal bar to do some chin ups, and a bench to do dips.