Oh the joy of jump-rope! Such an under-used choice for cardio yet one that is employed for not only that precise reason but also rhythm. Actually, I think the correct phrase is co-ordination but to me the word "rhythm" sums it up much better, even though it does develop total body co-ordination and timing. We all know if you can't stay in sync when skipping you're stuffed; you end up tripping over the damn thing or whacking your head.
But I digress.
When you don't want to go outside to walk or worse, the weather is against you, jump-rope is an easy indoor alternative. Unless you've got a treadmill, cross-trainer, rower or some such you flash bastard. Or go to the gym. There's always that. What's more, some of these new-fangled gyms even have indoor tracks so you can run round and round in tight little circles in your tight little pants and make the yards. Make those yards, kemosabe.
WHY JUMP-ROPE
It's a great HIT exercise. HIT or High-Interval Training consists of quick bursts of intense exercise followed by a brief rest before repeating. You do this for 10-15 minutes two, maybe three times a week, and that's it. Follow the above link to find out more. It's worth the read. However, it doesn't have to be HIT. You can just go at it steady state cardio styles if you wish. Both have benefits. Up to you.
ADVANTAGES OF JUMP-ROPE
1.) Firstly gear I mean, all you need is a jump-rope. Can it get any easier? No, no it cannot.
2.) The gear is cheap. I'm talking $25 bucks cheap, just make sure you buy a proper one from stores like Stirling Sports or some such. It's probably gone up since then but hey, doesn't everything? Well, not if you need viagra.
3.) You can pretty much jump-rope anywhere so space is not really an issue. Boom motherfucker, boom.
4.) There's lots of different ways to jump-rope. The excitement never ends. You can jump side-to-side; you can alternate heel-toe-heel-toe; you can jump on one leg you freak you; you can jump straight up and down -- and isn't that just amazing? You can jump-rope using double-unders; you can jump-rope naked and ball-slap yourself (always a winner) but to be honest, I just jump feet together. Plain, simple, effective.
5.) You will fry your calves. Fucking fry them. If calf-raises never did anything for you stop doing them and do jump-rope. Nah, your calves won't get a whole lot bigger but you'll swear they are. Swearing can be fun. Did I mention you'll fry your calves?
6.) You will greatly improve your cardiovascular system and probably every other "system" that makes up the human body in the process of. We're talking longevity of life here. We're talking galaxies and Uranus.
7.) You'll lose weight. I dunno, that could be you. You won't lose muscle mass because if you did, boxers wouldn't use jump-rope for conditioning as they compete in specific weight classes and can't afford to fluctuate on the scales. So be encouraged.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A JUMP-ROPE
The actual jump rope needs to be a certain length to "fit" you. To figure this out is simple. Stand on the middle of the rope, pull it taut and see if the handles can tuck up under your armpits. That's the right length. If its too long shorten it, if its too short lengthen it, if you can't do either tattoo "loser" on your forehead. Or, or you could get a different rope. Just saying is all (loser).
HOW TO JUMP-ROPE
Rereading the above subtitle I can't help but feel that all things considered, its a damn stupid question: the answer should be glaringly obvious. If you can't figure it out, put the rope down, step back and walk away. Far, far away kemosabe, where all is still and non-jumpy.
:: CONCLUSION
Jump-rope is a simple but effective fitness tool that's inexpensive, easy to use and better yet, can be done most places. It's an oldy but a goody and you'll find fitness professionals who swear by it. Be a man, give it a go. You'll either love it or hate it. Some years I pick my jump-rope up a dozen times or less. It understands. Other years I'll use it religiously, twice a week, for months on end. It's just handy to have there ready to go but wait, there's more...
When you're about to attend the graduation of your eldest and find you don't have a belt? You guessed it: jump-rope replacement. When your partner insists on a jolly good spanking and you can't find your wrist-restraints: jump-rope replacement. When you and your evil neighbour need to cover a wire with leaves (but don't have a wire) so as to snap it up to head-height when those punk kids skateboard pass: jump-rope replacement.