I used to do this when I was a kid - I think! Anyway I decided to jump rope in-between some of my weight exercises to keep my heartrate up. I am not uncoordinated (again at least I don't think so) but I keep tripping. I am frustrated and bound and determined to go 25 times without tripping, hitting myself in the head or face and making a total arse of myself in front of people. Tips??

PS - I hear through the pros at the gym that this is a great way to keep up your heartrate and do something else besides cardio equipment...but I am too embarassed to ask how to do it without severely injuring myself or others!

You should at least give yourself an A for effort. This is a video on jumping rope - maybe it will help.

Ha! I relate totally. When I do the Back to Basics circuit course, the ONLY station I skip is the jump rope. I look like such a clown!

your rope may be too long...I jump with the hubbies rope..Im 5ft 4 and he 6 ft 3...so yea..lol...His rope tears me up! lol..Go to a sports center and ask them about the appropriate rope for your height...

when you step on the rope with both feet together and pull the rope up against your body, the tops of the handels should come *approx* to your armpits!! Jumping rope DOES get easier--QUICKLY if you keep at it. STart by either jogging while you jump rope (instead of jumping with bothe feet together at the same time, do like a jogging in place pattern) or you could try doing high knees as well, that is also *easier*. If youve ever watched watched someone really good at jumping rope, like a boxer, youll notice they dont jump rope the same wither...its a more patterned dance move from side to side.....anyway, hop some of that helps...good luck!!

Forget the jump rope! What about doing jumping jacks instead? Or running in place in between sets?

When I had a trainer that's what he switched me to doing after he saw the enormous fail I was at jumping rope.

Just keep at it... I agree that your rope may be too long, the length of the rope is important...

I sometimes jump rope on a Bosu ball, now that's a challenge but it was a lot of fun... I could never do more than 10, but then again I didn't keep at it for a very long time... Super easy on the knees though...

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

I know I have to build my flexibility, core and overall balance - jump rope on the Bosu?? Oh my - I am scared of that thing but I promised I would incorporate it into my workout at the next phase. You can do everything on there! But I might try and do that early in the morning when there are less people around

My rope is too long, too...

I bought a Jump Snap, but just don't feel like I get the same impact with just the handles instead of an entire rope. Purely in my head I'm sure.

Staccie, I LOVE my Bosu, I even bought one for myself at home... and you CAN definitely do everything on the Bosu...

Staccie, if I'm tripping on the rope (assuming it's the right length), it's usually because my arms, instead of staying down by my sides, are creeping out away from my body. That shortens the rope, so I catch the rope with my toes. Just putting it out there in case that's the issue for you, too. In a perfect world, you keep the arms close, move the rope with just a twirl of the wrist, and jump only high enough to clear the rope. I'm still working on it, myself.