Jumping Rope Benefits

Jumping rope, also known as skipping rope, is a cardiovascular activity wherein the individual swings a rope, and jumps or hops over it in a method which makes the rope pass under his feet and over his head in an orderly manner. The activity which was earlier used by athletes, such as boxers and sprint runners, has now become a priority activity for people who want to stay fit, but are unable to devote a few vital hours of the day to sweat in the gym. Jumping rope for half an hour everyday can help an individual in burning excess fat, as well as strengthening a number of muscles in the body.

Jumping Rope Workout

There are several techniques of jumping rope, ranging from basic jump (jumping with both the feet in the air at the same time) and alternate foot jump (jumping using alternate foot to jump) to double under (jumping higher and swinging the rope twice) and double dutch jump rope (using two jump ropes, each going in different direction, simultaneously). Most of these techniques stress on starting slowly, and gradually increasing the speed to the maximum. Ideally, you can start with a 10 minute session and go on to increase it for half an hour or more. Starting with half an hour on the very first day will exhaust you on the first day itself. You can also alternate this exercise with resistance exercises by devoting 5 minutes for each.

Easy to Learn and Execute

One of the most prominent benefits of jumping rope is its simplicity. This is one of the most simple exercises with multiple advantages to its credit. The equipment used is minimal - only a skipping rope. These ropes are usually made from leather, cloth or pro-vinyl. They are portable and inexpensive, and hence can be easily carried along. This in turn lessens the chances of you skipping your workout. The techniques involved are also very simple and hence easy to learn. This exercise doesn't require too much of space, and hence is space efficient as well as time efficient.

Health Benefits of Jumping Rope

There are various health benefits of this exercise, which make it very popular among fitness enthusiasts. First of all, jumping rope at a steady pace can help you burn approximately 800 to 1000 calories in an hour. The heartbeat rate an individual can achieve in this case is equivalent to the heart rate achieved during running and jogging, but doesn't affect your knees like running. In fact, this activity can help you in strengthening your calves, arms, shoulders and even abs. While burning the calories, jumping rope also tends to burn that excess fat, beneath the skin and thus helps the individual in losing weight. It also helps in enhancing the agility, coordination and endurance levels of the individual. This cardiovascular exercise can enhance your metabolism levels, and keep them elevated for a long duration after you are done with the exercise.

Initial few days of cardio training using a jump rope can be a bit tiring, but with time you will get accustomed to it. Many people, especially guys, don't take to jumping rope workout because they feel it's boring. To avoid this mindset you can put on music during your workout sessions and make your workout sessions beneficial as well as entertaining. Lately, many people have understood the importance and taken to jumping rope for health improvement. If you are not one of them, this is your chance.