While it's impossible to say who initially took a length of rope and jumped over it for exercise, it's safe to state that jumping rope, or skipping as it is often known, has actually been around for a very long time. It's not hard to picture the gladiators of ancient Rome or the early Greek Olympians making use of a jump rope made from thin leather in an effort to boost their fitness.
Fast forward to modern-day times and jump rope designs have actually improved enormously. Where old-fashioned leather and rope were once made use of, plastic covered wire and low friction handles now make certain that today's speed ropes turn smoothly and easily. This means that you can skip faster and for longer and that makes for boosted fitness benefits.
So what are the advantages of skipping rope? Great question!
Starting from scratch, skipping rope is fantastic for your calves and ankle joints, your knees and thighs and, if you really pick up the speed and progress to doing double unders, your hip muscles as well. The action of turning the rope provides your shoulders and arms an excellent exercise and your core, those muscles around your waistline, likewise get in on the action.
Along with your muscles, skipping rope is fantastic for your heart and your lungs meaning you'll boost your cardiovascular fitness and with it your health. Skipping rope slowly for extended amount of times is an aerobic activity whereas jumping much a lot faster for shorter periods of time is an aerobic activity akin to running so skipping rope is a great way to boost not just your slow and steady fitness but also your capacity to work quick and furiously.
It's not just your heart, lungs and muscles that get a benefit from using a jump rope; your mind and nervous system will also reap rewards. Jumping rope, due to the fact that it is a fairly complex combination of arms and legs working together, will boost your coordination, balance, agility, skill, speed and eye-hand coordination. It's no wonder that skipping rope is just one of the physical exercises preferred by boxers and MMA fighters.
Lastly, jumping rope is a great calorie burner so if you are looking to lose or simply control your weight, getting and using a top quality speed rope can help you get the body you always dreamed of.
You can jump rope practically anywhere and as jump ropes are so hard wearing, if you buy a top quality rope, you'll have a long lasting exercise companion that will help you get and stay in great shape for years to come. Just don't forget; while learning to jump rope can take time and perseverance, once you've got it you never forget it and as workouts go, skipping rope is difficult to beat.
Keith Colladow is a personal trainer, health and fitness lecturer and writes for several online publications on various topics such as jumping rope: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Skipping-CSX-Speed-3000/dp/B00DM3OBO8
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