[Bear]

I've read that jumping rope is a really great workout, not only for legs but the core as well. Does anyone here do this? I really wanna start jumping rope because I can't afford a machine and it'd be nice to have something at home to do on days I can't go to the gym. How did you start off doing it? I've found I'm really tired when I go for a minute straight haha, proves how outta shape I am. I'm thinking of trying intervals to improve my endurance... would this help?

Anyway, post your results and thoughts on jumping rope as an exercise please!

[Petunia418]

Hi! Jumping rope IS great exercise! Minute for minute, I believe it burns more calories than running. It is hard to do for long periods of time, I agree! I bought one recently to use in the garage but I haven't really used it more than twice. I'm planning on hooking up a radio/CD player out there so that I can focus more on the music than the jumping! I have found it's fun/easier to get through if you mix it up. Last time I did it, I did 50 straight single jumps, 50 double, and then I would like skip through the rope to mix it up... as long as you keep moving it's beneficial! I haven't used this as an extensive "fat burning" exercise, as I can't keep up with it for very long but it's been successful in waking me up in the morning before work and getting my heart rate up! Have fun with it!

[alyandbra3]

Jumping rope is definitely harder than you probably remember it being as a child. It seemed like we could do it for hours back then. I took a kickboxing class a few years back which incorporated jumping rope. Wow!!! Not as I remembered it, but got a great workout.

[iowasteph2]

It is a lot more difficult than it use to be! I would encourage intervals...maybe jump rope, then do sit-ups, then jump rope, then push-ups, etc.

It's certainly quite the calorie burner!

[Bear]

Thanks for the input! : ) I can only do five minutes of jumping in 30 second intervals before I'm wiped out. At least that's what happened tonight haha. I'm hoping I can build on it quickly cause it sure does work everything out!

It is definitely harder than when I was a kid hahaa! We used to jump in gym class and I could do all the fancy tricks at one point. Like criss cross and stuff. Maybe I can get that coordination back some day heh.

I love that idea for interval work, iowasteph2! I think I'll try that. Then at least I can stretch out the workout to a significant time.

[chrgrl]

there is a DVD i have called "jump rope dancing" that is an approximately 25 minute jump rope workout. i freely admit it's kind of cheesy, but it's effective. i have to have a leader/video to follow or else i'll give up too easily.