Skipping Rope
Did you know that skipping is an excellent form of excercise that requires minimal equipment - only a skipping rope.
Skipping ropes are the most cheapest and effective ways of keeping fit, burning up to 1000 calories per hour. It is important that when choosing a skipping rope to have an idea what types of ropes are available.
How to skip
To help prevent injury, you should aim to skip in runners, ideally on a flat surface with plenty of space around you. Skipping to music adds to the fun and combining different foot combinations and other circuit exercises will prevent you from getting bored.
When skipping aim to keep your elbows tucked into your sides, with the rope turning around smoothly in your wrists. A common mistake is to lean forward or to skip too slowly. Both of these result in the rope being caught by your feet - and you'll come to a sudden stop.
Keep your back straight, and for beginners I suggest you jump with both feet together. Jump only high enough to get the rope under your feet - this should only be a couple of inches or so. Jumping too high will only tire you out.
Alternating feet when jumping is the next step. Its easy to learn but you'll need to keep practicing. Jump a few times on one foot and then try on the other one without stopping. You need to practice this a few times and then start with the other foot first. Soon you will be able to go from one foot to the other without catching the rope.
Whilst skipping the rope should ideally be tight, and if jumping at speed aim to have small jumps - with the rope close to your head.
