Jumping Rope – The Best Cardio Exercise That Few Do
I cannot stress enough what a great workout jumping rope is. In my opinion, it is the best exercise you can do – period! The most glamorous? No! The easiest? No? Boring? Can be! The best? Absolutely. Twenty minutes a day, that’s all I ask. Get yourself to twenty minutes a day, two days a week (three would be ideal) and I guarantee weight loss, better Cardio, and the best balance/agility of your life! Have you ever seen a fat boxer? Other than heavyweights no way. I still remember as a kid watching Muhammed Ali jumping rope on TV. He was lighting fast with a rope which no doubt was a huge factor in him being the same in the ring. Jumping rope will help you in any sport, not just boxing. Spend an extra couple of bucks and buy a good leather rope with ball bearings. Now you’ve got your rope, set up your music ( make sure you have upbeat, what you consider ass-kicking music that gets your adrenaline pumping), set the timer for twenty minutes, and when you started jumping, one of two things probably happened – 30 seconds in you were completely out of air or every second or third time the rope hit your feet. I’m sure you then thought to yourself “20 minutes, that friggin guy’s nuts!” chances are you didn’t use “friggin.” Jumping rope’s not so easy! No problem, we’ll build up to twenty minutes using the following format:
- Let’s start by doing two minutes of jumping rope, then a one-minute break. We will do 10 “rounds.”
- Constantly hitting your feet or getting too winded to go two minutes? You need to get into a rhythm with your rope. Make sure you’re jumping on the balls of your feet. The balls should barely be brought off the ground (a couple of inches).
- As soon as you feel like you can’t go on jumping rope, hold the rope in your hands but continue jumping as if you were still jumping rope.
- Mix it up, do one foot three times, then the other three. Run in place. Double jump the rope. All these things help with rhythm building.
As soon as possible, increase your “rounds” of jumping rope to three minutes. Never break for more than a minute. If you follow the above format, you will be surprised how fast you increase your jumping rope time!
Do you jump rope? Got any extra tips, please comment!
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I haven’t considered jumping rope as a legit exercise. I’ve done this when I was a kid and enjoy it like a game. Thanks to this blog for inciting me with an easy way to do cardio, now I can enjoy exercise at the same time getting fit!
I find it hard to run as I have bad knees. But jumping rope is a great , low impact exercise for me.
I’ve not jumped rope in years. I remember how much fun it was, doesn’t even feel like exercise.
oh! I miss my childhood years when I always used to play jumping ropes. I never thought that jumping rope is actually helpful in our body. Now I’m thinking to buy jumping rope again and start the day with it for me to be able to have that energetic body when I was still a kid. Thanks for this article! 🙂
I love that this improves balance as well… It seemed so easy as a kid, but somehow not so much anymore. Happy to get back on the horse.
Jumping with the rope is the best exercise for the young people to reduce the weight.But all the times should be careful while jumping with a rope.
This is a very common exercise to lose weight,but people having cardio problems should be careful while doing these kind of jumping.
On hearing the name of jumping rope, everyone brings back the memories of their childhood because most of the people have enjoyed it during that period only and then left it for ever. It will be a re-start of an old game for many. Is that advisable for the people above fifty and with high B.P.?
This jumping rope exercise burns a lots of fat in all the body.This is also a good exercise for the heart and blood circulation.But people with health problems should take care while doing this.
I have not jumped rope in years! I never thought of it as cardio! This is something I am going to have to try!
Brings back memories. A type of regression maybe, but it sure is beneficial to you. Good cardio AND arm workout, I can say.
I use to dance as part of a dance team, but my left knee was severely injured. Do you have any advice for those of us with this problem?
I would suggest only running on a treadmill and if you are going to jump rope, make sure it’s a padded or wooden floor
I can remember jumping rope as a little girl, and I absolutely love it then. I’m so out of shape now that I don’t think I’d be able to jump it the first time though.
follow the instructions on building up your stamina and rhythm. You’ll be surprised how fast you can get it going!
The only draw back is its boring being a repetitive exercise. Kick ass music will definitely be motivating
Did not know that jumping rope is a good cardio exercise until read this. but
i am too lazy. Although i should take it seriously.
Start off slow. Once you start getting a few rounds in and feel the difference in your body you will get very motivated!
Did not know that jumping rope is good cardio exercise
until i read the article. But i guess i am too lazy to go this. Although i know i
should take it seriously.
I will have to buy a rope and give it a try. I am always looking for things i can do at home that don’t take up much room and are (fairly) quiet. I have to get my workouts in around the kids, and some days that means nap time. This will be fun to get them involved in as well.
Jumping rope, the best cardio exercise? Interesting! I only skipped ropes for the fun of it, but I think I have to put more seriousness into it now.
Give it a shot and some time. You’ll be Glad you did 🙂
I must do it more often as I can never do more than 20 at one time. Just goes to show how out of shape I am. My concern is also that jumping rope is rather jarring on the back.
It can be. Try jumping on wood floors, like at a gym’s cardio room or basketball court
I’ve also heard about jumping rope as best the cardio exercise but i never mind about it. Until i browse this site and read the article about jumping rope as cardio exercise. I tried to work on it and i can say it is working. Truly this one is one of the best cardio exercise I ever tried that definitely change my shape.
Thanks Joseph, you just made my day
When I was younger I used to do a lot of skipping because we lived in a warmer climate and it was easy to jump about. It is a good exercise but when you live in the UK it is a bit hard not to disturb the neighbors especially if you live in a block. Now that I have read the article i feel like trying it out.
This blog encourages me to go back doing jumping rope as a mode of exercise. It is true that jumping rope is applicable to any sports and increases balance and agility, not only improves cardio and weight loss.
funny enough i just got myself a skipping rope, but have not started using it. This article just confirms that i have to go hit the ropes. thanks, you have given me some encouragement.
I strongly agree. This exercise is very effective not only to lose weight, but also for the health of our cardio. All the muscles working. It is perhaps a bit boring and a bit too heavy for people who have never done it before.
I have been hearing this serveral times that jumping rope was the best cardio. But I must admit it just went in one ear out the other and I never tried it. Well after reading your article I’m convinced. I’m trying it!
That’s great Ben! Stick with it, after a couple weeks you’ll be amazed how much your Cardio and balance have approved.