28 Apr Great exercises you might not be doing: Jumping rope

Unlike the first two exercises I mentioned this week – Renegade Rows and the Plank – I would think everyone knows what a jump rope is.
It seems like we all jumped rope at least a time or two as kids.
However, by the time we put away the Trapper Keeper, Cliff’s Notes and video games a lot of us never jumped rope again. (OK, a lot of us never put away the video games, but that’s alright as long as you play games in moderation.)
If you’re trying to get fit, and looking for a great, fun way to do it, consider re-discovering the jump rope.
It’s a good exercise for individuals or to do in groups and just about anyone can do it.
Jumping rope can burn up to 1000 calories in an hour and it’s one of the most efficient exercises there is.
It not only burns a lot of calories but helps tone the entire body, developing long, lean muscles in all big muscle groups.
It provides a great cardio workout, while also building strength and coordination.

Some people might think right away upon reading this that jumping rope would be too hard on their body.
However, many trainers I’ve talked to say running is actually considerably harder on the hips, knees and joints. When jumping rope the exertion is better cushioned because you land on the balls of your feet and the calves and shins act as shock absorbers. When jumping rope wear basketball shoes or supportive cross trainers if possible to provide better support than specialized running shoes.
However, before beginning a new jump rope program, consult a doctor or trainer if you’ve been inactive. As with any new training method, start slowly and gradually train harder.

So try to find an old jump rope in your closet or garage, or go to a fitness store and purchase one. If you’re in pretty good shape already, you could consider also buying a heavy jump rope to build even more strength and stamina.The jump rope is an inexpensive, totally portable piece of fitness equipment that’s as underrated as it gets when it comes to exercising.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com