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Jumping Rope
~ Back to the Good Ol' Days ~
When jumping rope comes to mind, you probably think about kids playing or having fun instead of thinking of it as being a fun cardio workout.
That's exactly how it should be, cardiovascular exercises can be fun and exciting at the same time as getting a great workout.
We're always searching for the best exercises to lose weight. We'll often spend hundreds of dollars on diet pills or expensive workout equipments that promise 'miraculous' results.
The answer for the quickest way to lose weight doesn't have to hurt your pockets. All it takes is a healthy diet and great workout program. There are SO many "new" fat burning workout programs that cost money, when you can actually get a great workout with just a jump rope!
Jumping rope might actually be one of the best forms of cardio exercises out there.
Jumping rope is probably the single most beneficial form of exercise a person can get up and do!
It can be done just about anywhere, alone or even in a group, and it can easily be incorporated into anyone's day-to-day lifestyle. Best of all, this is an exercise that is fun, enjoyable and very entertaining.
It Works! - jumping rope can burn up to 1000 calories per hour, which makes it one of the most efficient workouts available. It tones the muscles in your entire body and develops long, lean muscles in all the major muscle groups.
Notice Improvements - Jump roping takes full advantage of cardiovascular conditioning and can increase athletic skills by combining agility, coordination, speed, and endurance.
Not Just Childs Play - anyone from any fitness level and athletic ability can learn. You can get very creative with a jump rope - some jumps are very easy, some are extremely difficult, but all are beneficial! No matter what your ability is, you can learn at your own pace - at home, the park, the gym - ANYWHERE!
Fun, Fun, Fun...Did I mention FUN! - Jumping rope can be so much fun. There are a many different movements and ways to jump. It encourages you to get creative and be spontaneous, and it gives you flexibility in your workout.
Easy on Your...Pockets - compare it to any fitness equipment in the market today. It's inexpensive and you can easily find one at your local store.
No room to Jump Rope? No excuses - All you need is a 3’ x 4’ area to use a jump rope. Your living room, bedroom, backyard, office, or gym are all perfect places to start jumping. You can easily carry it in your purse, backpack or briefcase. This is the best portable workout ever created!
Great Family Activity - there has never been an exercise that has gained acceptance from children everywhere. This is something that can be learned by anyone - young and old. Jumping rope helps to increase self-esteem and fitness levels. This is a wonderful activity that the whole family can enjoy together, while staying in shape!
Fight Diseases - it's one of the best activities to help fight Type II Diabetes, Heart Disease, Osteoporosis and Obesity while improving your strength and fitness.
Jumping rope is an activity practiced around the world. To some people it's more than just a game, it's also an international competitive sport.
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Before you get started, lets make sure you have the right sized rope for your height. Grab your jump rope and step on the center of the rope, the handles should reach your armpits.
The chart below will also guide you find the correct rope length according to your height.
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Jump ropes have come a long way over the years. Today, they're made from a wide range of materials and have various grip styles characteristics.
 Beaded Ropes - Durable during cold weather and when it hits the pavement. Long-lasting and the weight of the beads hold the arc for slow turning so it's easier to learn new tricks. *These are harder to adjust for length.
Speed Ropes - Designed to twirl fast and force you to jump at a higher rate. Lightweight and easy to move at high speed. It's easy to adjust the ropes length, you can just tie a knot or two in the cord below the handle to shorten the length. This is the best all-purpose rope for all ages and ability levels.
Woven Cloth Ropes - Holds a good arc making it the easiest rope to control especially when performing double dutch. Won't "bounce" when it hits the ground. *Ropes get dirty easily especially when outdoors.
Weighted Ropes - These are weighted along the rope to intentionally slow them down which requires the user to exert more effort to twirl. They are used mainly to enhance speed and stamina, and for general full-body workouts. These also help to improve mobility and agility and develop fast footwork for sports like boxing and martial arts. *Gain both a cardiovascular workout & upper body strength workout all at once!
These are just to name a few. There are many others such as leather jump ropes and adjustable PVC ropes. Get what's right for you and start jumping!
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If it's been a while since you swung a rope, rest assured that nothing has changed on how to jump rope.
The basic jump rope exercise is simply swinging the rope over your head and skipping/jumping over it.
All you really need to do to make it fun and exciting is to get creative with the rope and learn some new moves and neat tricks.
Double Foot Jump - slightly jump and land with both feet.
Alternate Foot Jump - like skipping, alternate your feet up and down while the ropes make its rounds.
Running Jump - slightly jog while either jumping/skipping over the rope. This is at a faster pace with increased intensity.
High Step Jump - Lift your knees high to increase the intensity while running to some extent.
Side to Side Jump - With your feet together, alternate your landing area from side to side.
Cross Step Jump - When jumping cross legs while in the air and land with legs crossed.
See how you can get creative? Just try to vary your foot patterns and even jumping backwards, these all make a difference.
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