Rope skipping is excellent for cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and coordination. It is also good for building bones and trimming hips and thighs. Given the numerous benefits that regular skipping offers, it is a pity that it is often deemed as child’s play. Most of us have tried rope skipping or even “zero-point” which is essentially a skipping game where rubber bands are attached to each other to form a rope. Unfortunately, most of us never tried it again once we grew up. Well, I urge you to think again. In case you have become sedentary and rigid over the years, rope skipping could just be the activity that will re-ignite your zeal to have fun and be active again! But first, let’s break down some of the common myths about rope skipping!
Myth 1: It’s too difficult!
One of the best ways to start getting fit is through the process of learning a new skill. Do not give up just because you have become less coordinated! Many adults give up on skipping because they keep missing the steps. With a little more practice and some coaching, you will be skipping again. Like cycling, once you get a hang of it, it is going to be a breeze! Besides, the mastery of new skills does wonders to the self-esteem!
Myth 2: Skipping’s harmful to my joints
According to the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Council. It is far less hard on the muscles and bones than jogging. While running or jogging, each foot absorbs up to 5 times the body weight from the force of the impact as the foot hits the ground. But in rope skipping, the shock of hitting the ground is absorbed by both feet allowing the calf muscles to control and absorb the impact.
Myth 3: It’s boring
Whoever thinks so obviously has not seen the variety of skipping styles that you can learn. There are just so many variations of the same techniques and combinations to master. The best part about learning new styles is that you get so much fitter without even realizing it because you are so psychologically “involved” in learning the new skills that they forget about the pain of huffing and puffing that is often associated with exercise.
Myth 4: Skipping burns less calories compared to other exercises
From an energy standpoint, jumping rope at about 130 revolutions per minute is similar to running at about 10 km per hour or cycling 19 km per hour. Just 10 minutes of rope skipping is equivalent to a 1.5km run! It is an essential strength and conditoning tool for many sports such as boxing, squash and tennis. Not only does skipping burn more calories that other exercises, it has got to be one of the least time consuming and convenient exercise ever!
