My Love Letter to Jump Rope
When you think of jump rope, what comes to mind?
For many people, it probably brings back fond childhood memories, skipping rope outside with your friends. It seems to be a lost art now, but I’ve fallen back in love with it as a key part of my full-body workouts. It’s one of my favorite ways to move my body: quick, effective, and genuinely fun. It might be the most underrated exercise out there. Here’s why it works so well, and how I’ve made it part of my routine.
Reasons to Jump Rope More
Low-Impact Cardio – There are many forms of cardio you can do; from running to walking on the Stairmaster to playing a ball sport…the list goes on. However, many forms of cardio are high-impact or come with a risk of injury. For example, running, especially with improper technique, can lead to shin splints, runner’s knee, and various other joint/tendon issues. This isn’t to say I never run, or that any other form of cardio is bad. However, jump rope is a low-impact, low-risk exercise, which I appreciate because it still gives me a great workout.
Coordination and Agility – While it seems simple, jump rope is all about coordination. There’s a reason why it’s fundamental to combat sports like boxing. The repetitive swinging of the rope and light jumps help you improve your balance and show you how to stay light on your feet. This gets emphasized with different variations of jumping rope, like jumping on one foot or swinging it from side to side.
Accessibility – You can jump rope almost anywhere. You could do it in your home, at the park, or even in the corner of a gym. All you need is a jump rope! When life gets hectic, I know I can squeeze in a good workout, even if I don’t have time to go to the gym. It’s so easy to put in earbuds or headphones, play a catchy song, and jump to the beat.
My Love for Jump Rope
I used to jump rope all the time when I was younger. It was one of those things I’d do at recess or after school with friends. I never thought much of it back then, and I certainly didn’t think of it as a “workout”. But when I moved to New York, jump rope became a constant in my life. After a long day, I know I can just grab my rope, blast a song I love, and get moving. Even if I don’t have time for the gym, I know I can still squeeze in a good full-body workout.
The Covid pandemic really solidified my love for jump rope, when gyms were closed and isolation hit hard. My fitness has always been non-negotiable, but I didn’t want to run miles to stay in shape. I racked my brain for ways I could stay in shape and realized that I already had what I needed, right at home. That’s when I started hosting online jump rope workout challenges with my best friend, Page. We’d post on our Instagram pages, start a WhatsApp group, and suddenly people started joining in. What surprised me most was how many people said they normally hated working out, but enjoyed these challenges. It unlocked childhood memories for them – nostalgic, fun, familiar. It brought so much joy, not just to us but to a whole group of people who rediscovered the fun in movement.
3 Ways to Jump Rope
You don’t need to be a pro to start jumping, and there are many ways to get started. While you could start with the basic version, I love learning new tricks and jumps to incorporate into my workout routine. These are my favorite beginner-friendly styles.
Basic Jumprope – Hold the rope with both hands, swing it overhead, and jump lightly on the balls of your feet. To maintain momentum, keep your hands close to your sides and focus on just rotating your wrists (not your arms) and flicking the rope in a circle.
Boxer step – Instead of jumping with both feet off the ground, hop from one foot to the other and tap the other foot on the ground as you land.
Run in Place – Try running in place while swinging the rope around yourself. This is a step up from the boxer step, where you’re simply tapping one foot on the ground at a moderate pace.
How to Incorporate Jump Rope into Your Routine
You can make jump rope your main workout, or use it as a warm-up, finisher, or active recovery. It works well with any fitness level. I love pairing jump rope with bodyweight moves like squats, push-ups, or planks for a full-body sweat. I just put on a playlist and jump for 10 minutes straight – it clears my head and gets my heart pumping.
Ready to Start Jumping with Me?
If you’re looking for guidance, tips, or a little extra motivation, look no further than my mailing list. I’ll send you beginner friendly workouts and playlists straight to your inbox.
