A couple years ago, I read a blog that was focused on the many benefits of jumping rope for fitness.
I am always searching for new and more beneficial ways to expand the cardio exercises I do during my daily fitness routine.
I vary between running, cycling, swimming and high-impact exercises such as burpees, mountain climbers and various jumps. I knew that most professional athletes, including boxers and football players, use jumping rope as a regular part of their warmups. According to the blob, this type of high-impact exercise works the calves, tightens the core, increases lung capacity and improves stamina. It’s a full-body workout and burns a great deal of calories in a short time. For the average-sized person, jumping rope can burn approximately ten calories per minute. That’s huge results for the effort. I immediately started looking into the various styles of jump ropes on the market. I found a system that includes one set of handles that works with ropes of a variety of weights. I use a quarter-pound, half-pound, one and two-pound weighted rope that each provide specialized workouts. When I first began, I got breathless and tired very quickly. I kept tripping on the rope and hitting my calves with it. However, lots of practice has led to big improvement. I now frequently jump for 45 minutes to an hour with only brief periods of rest. I vary between endurance training, where I jump for extended times, and HIIT training where I jump briefly, rest briefly, then start over. I’ve elevated the difficulty of the sessions by including skills such as crossovers, double-jumps, one-footed jumps and high-knees.