Skipping Is The New Running

Health is one of the most important facets of my life. While I regularly take the proper amount of vitamins and minerals, I have also engaged in numerous physical activities over the years. These included swimming, karate and kickboxing (amongst others). As the expression goes, we never truly grow old. A perfect example of this could be seen a few months ago when the veritable “child” once again emerged from within my adult body. I recalled how fun skipping was when I was younger. It was also a great warm-up exercise before engaging in other activities. So, I was forced to make a difficult decision. I actually invested in three skipping ropes. As they were only £2 pounds each on eBay, it really wasn’t much of an investment. These three included a speed model as well as one with weighted elements (ideal for the shoulder girdle).

Without any hesitance, I began this routine once again. It was no surprise that my endurance was limited to between three and four minutes in the very beginning. However, I am now capable of skipping for ten minutes at a stretch with ease. Another interesting point to highlight is that tricks can be incorporated on occasion. However, I also wanted to do my homework and to perform additional research on the numerous beneficial health effects. Here are two of the most obvious advantages:

Skipping is an excellent whole-body warm-up that can help to prevent injuries when training.
It represents an immersive cardiovascular workout; particularly for those who can last for ten minutes or longer.

Having said this, here are some additional facts that might surprise you:

Skipping rope helps to improve coordination due to the fact that your upper body must work in conjunction with your feet.
It decreases the chances of suffering foot and ankle injuries.
Skipping is one of the best ways to burn excess calories.
Bone density will increase over time.
Helps to enhance cardiovascular health.
Increases lung capacity and breathing efficiency.

Above all, this exercise can actually make you smarter! While we all know that the increased levels of oxygen will benefit the brain, were you aware that balancing and similar cognitive actions (such as ballroom dancing or juggling) will help our brains process information more efficiently? This is not always the case with rudimentary routines such as running or bicycling. Let’s not forget that these ropes are completely portable and they can be utilised within confined spaces.

A Few Interesting Facts

According to the British Rope Skipping Organisation, 10 minutes of this exercise can exhibit the same health effects associated with a 45-minute run. Furthermore, it is possible to perform three sets of ten minutes. This enables you to burn up to 480 calories in a mere 30 minutes!

You will also be happy to know that even top-of-the-line models only cost between £10 and £20 pounds. However, most decent ropes can be purchased for as little as £5 pounds. Once these up-front costs are addressed, all future workouts can be enjoyed at no additional charge. Take a look at one of the best ropes that I recently purchased:

In my opinion, there are no cons associated with this type of exercise. Take your vitamins, maintain the proper health and examine your abs after a few months…let’s never forget that this is a long-term investment in terms of your well-being. This full-body workout is an excellent way to burn calories and to achieve the body that you have always dreamed of.

All the best and keep skipping!