Skipping

How to jump rope

Skipping is an exercise some of us learn at a young age, and some of us much later. Like riding a bike, swimming or hoola hooping.

It’s also a pretty nifty exercise to do when you’ve only got a few minutes to spend in the gym, or if you’re away for the holidays and need to keep your fitness in check.

Here’s how to start out

March with your knees high, at a ninety-degree angle. This forms part of the locomotive motor skills (the other two being manipulative or stability). The movement closely mimics that of skipping and should get you in the vibe.

Jump with both feet

Seems obvious, but the next exercise to do is jumping up and down with both feet. Try to land on your toes and bend at your knees and ankle when doing so. Don’t jump too high either.

Hop on one foot at a time

This should further improve your balance if you’re struggling with the jumping thing, which is crucial for skipping.

Now start jump roping!

First, make sure the rope is the right length for you. Ideally, when you stand on it with both feet and pull it up, the handles should come to your chest.

Keep your hands next to your waist, a bit past shoulder width. Keep the rope behind your feet.

Flick the rope forward with your forearms and wrists, as swiftly as possible, so it goes over your head. Jump right before it drops, so it goes underneath your feet. Repeat until you are comfortable – remember, practice makes perfect!

Build your confidence

The trick here is to keep on until you get it right, and then aim for the number of resolutions you feel comfortable with per minute. Start with thirty or forty per second, until you progress to triple digits!