Exercise

Jumping Rope For Healthy Fitness Fun

January 19, 2010
By Karen Ficarelli

Jumping rope is a great aerobic activity that burns calories, builds strength and endurance. Other than a good pair of shoes and an inexpensive jump rope, no other items are needed to get a good workout from jumping rope.

An activity that many a woman learned as a girl, jumping rope may stir up memories of days gone by. But this simple exercise has many benefits that include cardio as well as coordination and flexibility.

I like to add rope jumping to my circuit training workouts. In between my strength training exercises, I’ll grab my jump rope and jump for 1 to 2 minutes. Then move on to the next exercise. After that I may jog in place for 2 minutes, exercise again, then pick up the rope and jump for an additional 2 minutes, ending with a final exercise from my resistance training routine.

The above-described workout will boost the benefits that you get from an ordinary exercise routine. It’s a great way to supercharge your fitness program, and really helps to build endurance and strength by working the muscles throughout your body and your heart.

If you are just getting started with jumping rope, take it easy and don’t try to do to many repetitions. It’s better that you learn to like it gradually than forcing yourself to do an activity that you will soon grow tired of. Usually once I master an activity or an exercise routine, I actually enjoy doing them more than when I first begin.

As you master the jump, mix things up and increase your coordination and flexibility. Try crossing and un-crossing your feet as you jump, jump with one foot, clap your hands between jumps or anything you can think to do to keep it interesting. These challenges will come later of course. The important thing is to work up to jumping for a few minutes to raise your heart to an aerobic level.

Jumping rope is a fun way to make fitness a regular part of your healthy lifestyle. A great way to lose weight and enjoy yourself along the way.

Karen Ficarelli is the founder and CEO of www.Fitness4Her.com, a diet, exercise program and women’s fitness blog, developed especially for women. A mother of three, Karen knows how hard it is to fit everything into a busy schedule. A fitness author, personal trainer, Pilate’s instructor, sports nutritionist, fitness model, wife and mom, Karen is passionate about helping other women reach their fitness goals.

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