| Jumping rope allows you to get your necessary | | | | crossing your lower legs while in the air and landing |
| cardiovascular exercise on your own and with minimal | | | | with legs crossed. In addition, you can jump "side to |
| equipment. All you need is a comfortable pair of | | | | side", alternating landing areas from right to left to |
| rubber-soled shoes and a jump rope that when folded | | | | increase intensity once you are at ease working with a |
| in half reaches your shoulders to get the best benefits | | | | jump rope. |
| of jump roping. | | | | There are some good additional guidelines to keep in |
| Getting started, a low impact method can be used | | | | mind while jumping. Remember to try not to jump high |
| such as a slow double foot jump or alternate foot | | | | and land hard, lift your feet off the floor just high |
| jump. For the double foot variation, take both feet of | | | | enough for quick passage of the rope. Turn the rope |
| the ground slightly and land together as rope is swung | | | | with your wrists and keep relaxed shoulders. Let your |
| under your stance. An alternate foot jump is using a | | | | feet land on the padded portion or balls of the feet to |
| skipping technique which alternates your feet up and | | | | avoid knee injury. Make sure to have patience, begin |
| down as the rope revolves around your body. As you | | | | slowly and then increase slowly. Your jump roping |
| get comfortable with jumping rope and build stamina, | | | | workout routine will add strength and tone several |
| the low impact workout can get more intense with | | | | muscle groups including: arms, back, shoulders, |
| using the alternate foot jump and increasing your | | | | abdomen, chest, and legs (calves and thighs). Have a |
| speed to a jogging or running step. Also, lifting your | | | | great time with jump roping or any other exercise |
| knees higher will add breadth of the workout. For | | | | regimes you choose to get your important physical |
| further benefits, the cross step may be completed by | | | | fitness workouts accomplished on a regular basis! |