Using the Jump Rope To Improve Endurance, Coordination, Agility & Reacti...

Jumping rope is an effective and inexpensive way to improve your cardiovascular fitness, coordination, agility and lower body ground-reactive speed. Unlike treadmills and elliptical trainers costing thousands of dollars, a jump rope costs a mere $5-$50 depending on the quality. It also packs neatly into a gym bag, which allows you to jump rope anywhere with just a minimal amount of open space required. Although boxers have a long tradition of using the jump rope for conditioning, the benefits of the exercise can be shared by everyone from the general gym enthusiast to elite athletes of all sports. Jump ropes come in different lengths and various designs to suit a variety of fitness levels and goals.

This is a low quality jump rope constructed with low grade plastic. Even if you are a novice skipper, I suggest you spend some extra money on a jump rope with better craftsmanship and performance. This rope is suited for the playground, rather than a gym. What did you expect for $5?

A string rope covered by hard plastic beads with foam grip ball bearing swivel handles. Good for multiple persons usage and jumping outdoors. Beware, hard impact across the floor or ground can cause parts of the beaded chain to break off. Also, the beaded chain tends to shift while in use making the turning action feel unbalanced and sluggish.

Leather ropes are quite durable, but difficult to turn to achieve high speed jumping. If you are a casual jump rope user, the slower pace might be of benefit. There are a range of handles associated with this type of rope which include: foam, wood, swivel and weighted. This rope is good for novice and multiple users.

Stainless steel ropes are virtually impossible to break and give good over-all performance. However their rigid construction is not good for performing rope stunts. Also accidentally whipping yourself in the leg with a metal rope is extremely painful. This rope is good for the intermediate user.

This is the best jump rope that money can buy, and the one I personally use. It's perfectly balanced, turns with ease, light as a feather and is constructed of flexible high grade plastic with aluminum swivel handles covered with a foam grip. You can trick and skip as fast as grease lightening with this rope. Only down side is that it cost $50

High density rubber weighted jump rope is great for developing explosive power and strength. It comes in a variety of weighted sizes 1lb, 2lb, 3lb, 4lb, etc. However, if you are new to exercising with a jump rope, than you are probably not ready for the monster intensity this type of rope can deliver. This rope is good for expert jump rope users, who have the stamina and strength to turn this beast.

How To Jump Rope:

1. 
   
   First, make sure the jump rope is the appropriate length for you by placing one foot on the center of the rope against the floor, while at the same time holding a handle in each hand up towards your arm pits. If the handles reach your arm pits, the length of the rope is fine. Not the case, then adjust the length of the rope if possible, or obtain another rope that is more feasible.


2. 
   
   With the rope behind you touching the floor, extend your arms to your sides with the handles of the rope in hand.


3. 
   
   Rotate your arms up and forward which in turn will cause the jump rope to lift from the floor and begin rotating over your head.


4. 
   
   As your arms start to rotate down and back, it will prompt the jump rope to rotate towards the floor in front of you.


5. 
   
   When you hear the smacking sound of the rope against the floor this is your cue to jump over the rope to allow it to pass under both feet. At this time the arms should be back to their original starting position.


6. 
   
   Now you simply rotate the arms up and forward again to make pass after pass for as long as your routine calls for.

It's that simple. Practice these steps and you will be skipping like a pro in no time at all. Later on you can progress by adding stunts and weights to your routine as shown in the video.