It's been quite a few years since I hammered it out on the playground with a jump rope and a group of friends, all chanting those silly little rhymes that go along with jumping rope.
But jumping rope is not just for kids! It is a great, convenient, and inexpensive way to get a fantastic cardio workout. And while jumping rope is a fun activity for children, it can also be a vigorous training tool for the toughest of athletes. In his article Jumping Rope For Fitness, certified personal trainer Jason Anderson tells us that
For years, top athletes have been using the rope to condition for their sports. Boxers probably come to mind. But with other well-known jumpers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (basketball), Arnold Schwarzenegger (bodybuilding), Jerry Rice (football), or Michael Chang (tennis) joining in, jumping rope is certainly not for “girly men!”
There are several reasons why jumping rope is a great cardio option.
It is an inexpensive workout. A jump rope is probably the cheapest cardio exercise tool you can buy. Even if you want a more advanced, weighted rope, the most expensive jump rope should be right around $30.
You can jump rope almost anywhere. As long as the ceiling is high enough and the floor is clear, you should be able to jump rope at home, in the back yard, in the garage, or on the go! A jump rope weighs very little and is easy to pack in your suitcase. With a jump rope, your workout does not have to depend on the weather! Rainy day, can't go running? Grab your jump rope and go for it indoors.
It will work your whole body. When you jump rope, your legs do the jumping and your arms turn the rope--great way to keep both upper and lower body busy! Your arms get an especially good workout with a weighted jump rope. It really works the calf muscles. And believe it or not, jumping rope is a great way to get ripped abs! I know several people who deal with back issues, making it difficult to do sit ups, crunches, or other ab exercises. Even if you do get the traditional ab work, how great is it to have more of it built in to your cardio routine?
Jumping rope burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time. And you can do it with your kids, combining cardio exercise and quality time with your family.
So whether you are alone with some music, or with your kids in the back yard, grab that jump rope and start sweating!
Ice cream soda, lemonade punch.
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