Are you looking for a cheap, portable workout? Try jumping rope. A good jump rope typically sells for under $20, will fit in your backpack, and one size fits all. Extra bonus, jumping rope is a great calorie-burner. A 15-20 minute workout will burn off the calories from a candy bar. To see how many calories you would burn, check out the calorie counter at WebMD. Select sports for the activity and rope jumping for the exercise.
“It’s certainly good for the heart,” says Peter Schulman, MD, associate professor, Cardiology/Pulmonary Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. “It strengthens the upper and lower body and burns a lot of calories in a short time.”
If you’re looking to get started, WebMD gives the following as the basic requirements:
For novices, a beaded rope is recommended because it holds its shape and is easier to control than a lightweight cloth or vinyl rope.
- Adjust the rope by holding the handles and stepping on the rope.
- Shorten the rope so the handles reach your armpits.
- Wear properly fitted athletic shoes, preferably cross-training shoes.
You’ll need a four-by-six-foot area, and about 10 inches of space above your head. The exercise surface is very important. Do not attempt to jump on carpet, grass, concrete, or asphalt. While carpet reduces impact, the downside is it grabs your shoes and can twist your ankle or knee. Use a wood floor, piece of plywood, or an impact mat made for exercise.
Give it a try. Who knows, perhaps you’ll find yourself following in the footsteps of Tori Boggs, a second-year industrial design student at Ohio State.
Read more at WebMD….
Submitted by Tina Comston, M.Ed.