Anyone jump rope?

[Puddles]

3-sessions a week of jump rope (3-minute rounds, 1-minute rests for 20-30 minutes).

I do a toe/heel tap, two lefts/two rights skip, and will also keep my feet spread (like a boxing stance) when I jump.

Thanks...that's the kind of info. I was lookin for! I haven't seen anyone else jump rope at the gym so I've got no idea on how to approach it. Does anyone know of a website with more info. or video even?

Jumping helps relax the shoulders? I have a problem with my shoulders and am in pain most days. Deep tissue massage helps for a bit, but I can't go every week.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Jumping rope looks so easy when done well. Let me just say, that my trainer would NOT allow me to jump rope. Reason you ask: It made her look bad!

I am serious here! I am a klutz and there is NO denying it.

 

[Puddles]

I am serious here! I am a klutz and there is NO denying it.

LOL Me too at times...I'll be practicing at home for a long time before I ever jump at the gym!!!

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

MrsPuddles -- you are most certainly a braver woman than I. Keep me posted!

 

[teirrah]

Thanks everyone for the nice replies. Mrs. Puddles, I use a boxer's rope, which has heavy weighted handles and a leather rope. I think that the higher cost (like maybe 15 dollars vs 5) was well worth it because it moves fast and true and the weight of the handles makes you have to work to control it. Also the makes the best noise cutting through the air. I skip trying to keep feet low to the ground, mixing up the lead foot, easiest seems to be alternating 2 steps each foot.As Slinky said it is great for footwork and coordination, also relaxing the shoulders is so key. If I am tense, I trip but if I am relaxed I don't. It is hard to keep going uninterruptedly for 3 minutes but I guess practice makes perfect. And when you get it it looks and feels so good.

 

[Puddles]

My husband has an old jump rope that he used to use...wood handles and rope. It's been collecting dust and cobwebs in the garage for 2 yrs. Tomorrow I'm gonna give it a whirl. I better remove all breakables for a 10' radius. LOL

I have little endurance, so I'll see how close I can get to the 3 minutes with a minute rest and repeat thing. During the minute rest, do you walk around? I can't imagine just standing still for the resting part.

 

[Fyre]

I do an interval style training when I jump rope. I skip for 2 minutes, then i work on the heavy bag for two minutes and back and forth. It's an amazing workout! Skip for two, punch for two, skip for two, kick for two......
I get a killer sweat going!

 

[slinky]

While I don't do what Fyre does, I do perform some sort of "active rest" between the 3-minutes sessions. Since I primarilly jump rope at home, I will perform ab work on my fitball, knuckle push ups and/or stretch (and shadow box).

Also, I built up to the 3-minute rounds. By beginning with 1-minute rounds/1-minutes rests. For instance, the first week it was 1-minute rounds. Second week, I would perform the first several rounds in 1-minute, the last couple were 2-minutes. By the end of the third week, every round was 2-minutes - and so on. Work on just plain jumping rope at first. Also, what I mean that it "relaxes" the shoulders is that what's really turning the rope is wrist action.

As you get more comfortable with the jump rope, begin to incorporate the combinations (crossing hands, etc.). I prefer straight on jumping, but like to incorporate the combinations for assistance w/boxing skills as well as keeping it fun.

 

[JJFigure]

All right, you guys have me convinced. I'm gonna have to try out jump roping intervals. BTW, I haven't jumped rope since I was grade school age, so this should be interesting...

 

[Puddles]

OMG I don't think I've had this much fun trying something cardio ever! OK...so today I bought some decent sneakers...figured I'd need them if I was gonna be jumping. Tonight after everyone was asleep I figure it's time to give this thing a shot. I open the blinds on the sliding glass door so I can see my reflection like a big mirror. OK...I'm all set...turn the handle, jump, step on the rope. Hmmm...gotta figure this out...I do the same thing again. I look at myself all pathetic in the reflection and laugh. It was truly amusing. After a few turns of the handle I start getting it. Jump, jump, jump, step on the rope. LOL I was damn happy when I got to making 8 skips without stepping on the rope. I think that took me a good 3 minutes to accomplish, so I took a minute and walked around the house from room to room thinking of what just happened, how to control the rope, etc. OK...the minute rest is up, back to it girl! I manage a few under 10, then I get a groove going and get to 31! YAYYYYYY! I'm so happy! I try again a few times and am getting tired and don't make it to 10. OK...rest a minute. I decided to walk around the house for my rests...maybe I'll add in something else once I get better, but walking seems fine for now. Next set I got into the low 30's twice, and I'm feeling good. Took another rest and in the next set I got to 71 along with a bunch of less successful attempts. When I was done (exhausted, wiped out, sweaty) about 30 minutes had passed. I didn't keep real track of how many sets I did...I was just happy to be getting the hang of not tripping on the rope. LOL

I'm happy and I'm finally looking forward to doing cardio! Since I'm not doing too well, it's gonna take a long time to master just straight out jumping...which is a good thing, nothing like a good challenge within yourself to give you motivation and prevent boredom with an excercise. This is just what I needed. Thanks to everyone who helped out here!!!