Jumping Rope

The jumping rope is a tool used for exercising as well as playing. The rope should be used in a manner that one has to jump and allow it to be passed under the feet and over the head. This action has to be performed while the rope is swung. There are many jumping rope benefits with respect to maintaining fitness levels. Let's understand more about this tool from the information presented below.

Facts about Jumping Rope

The jumping rope can be used for exercising and just playing with it in many different ways. The most simplistic form of using this rope is that by holding the ends in each of the hands and swinging in a manner as described above (in the first paragraph).

Jumping Rope Exercise
The skipping rope exercises are comparable to that of other cardiovascular exercises like jogging and cycling. Calories burned using the jumping rope can go up to the number of 700 in a single hour. If the calories burned per jump are to be calculated, it accounts for 0.1. The activity of running a mile in eight minutes is therefore, equivalent to performing the jumping rope exercise for 10 minutes. There is an advantage of using jump rope exercises over jogging/running exercise; damage caused to the knees while running is greater in comparison to the process of jumping. This is because the impact of a jump is absorbed by both the legs. With the help of the facts mentioned above, one can conclude that the use of jumping rope to lose weight should be preferred over other exercises.

Jumping Rope Techniques
The basic jumping rope technique is that of lifting both feet simultaneously while maintaining a little distance between them. Let us have a look at the different jump rope tricks and techniques in the following paragraphs.

Crisscross Jumping: This technique is very much similar to that of the basic method. Arms get crossed while performing this jump. Right hand moves towards left side of the body and vice versa.

Speed Step: The speed step technique is also referred to as alternate foot jumping. One has to jump using alternate steps to perform this exercise. The name speed step is assigned to this exercise because one can increase the number of steps/jumps in comparison to basic jumping.

Double Under: In the double under technique, the height of a jump is greater than that in basic jumping. Since the jump is higher, there is more time to swing the rope. This time is utilized for swinging the rope twice. The move/technique is therefore, referred to as double under.

Side Swing: In side swing exercise, jumping rope doesn't pass under the body but from the side. The side swing is performed alternately or just after a crisscross/basic jump.

Front-back Cross: The front-back cross technique is similar to that of crisscross. In the crisscross technique, both arms cross each other. In the front-back cross, however, one of the arms is crossed behind the back.

Benefits of Jumping Rope

The jumping rope is a simple tool used for performing exercise. There are many benefits offered by the jump rope workouts. Let us have a look at the benefits through the information presented below.

• This rope is not costly and very much affordable in comparison to the equipment like treadmill and other cardio machines.
• Improvement in mineral density is one of the important benefits offered by the jumping rope exercise; the overall power of body too is enhanced. The jumping exercise is also used for improvement in height.
• Portability is one of their major benefits. The rope can therefore, be used indoors as well as outdoors.
• The use of jumping rope to lose weight is well-known. Almost every muscle in the body is exercised by the activity of jumping. It is therefore, one of the best exercises for weight loss.
• The exercise performed with this rope requires you to maintain a certain rhythm. Maintaining the rhythm is therefore, useful in improving the coordination of body.

The facts about jumping rope presented above should help you understand the importance of this exercise. One should incorporate jump rope exercises in the regular routine to have a fit and healthy body.