5 Reasons Why You Should Jump Rope

Jumping rope is great for all athletes. From the recreational athlete to the athlete involved in sports that rely on vertical explosiveness (think running, basketball, volleyball, etc.) Jumping rope is a highly effective skill that will enhance the athlete’s training – and therefore the athlete’s performance – for the following five key reasons.

1. Lower Body Recruitment

As the name jump rope implies, the muscles that get recruited in a major way are the calves and hamstrings receiving repetitive contractions and springing of these muscles throughout the movement. Training these muscles through “roping,” will not only make you stronger, but will also help you become more efficient, and in turn will decrease the possibility for injury.

Jumping rope also works the muscles in the upper part of the legs – the quadriceps and the glutes, keeping your body’s anterior and posterior muscularly balanced.

Added bonus: These are largest muscles in the body being worked which means calories get incinerated big time!

2.  Wrist and Forearm Flexibility

Wrist, hand and forearm issues seem to becoming more and more prevalent due to constant repetitive motions whether from daily work, cell phones, texting, or extended hours of keyboard work on the computer. Jumping rope is a form of fitness that stimulates flexibility, dexterity and strength in these areas of the body. Jumping rope when using correct form and technique, requires spinning the rope around the body using your wrists and forearms. This will allow you to whip the rope around yourself very quickly. It is the repetition of this motion which strengthens your forearms, wrists and hands and will help prevent injury or other issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

3. Abs and Core Stabilizers

Your abdominal muscles are worked the entire time you are jumping rope as they act to balance and stabilize the rest of your body. The stronger your core, the better your balance, coordination and stability will be.

A strong core equals a better athlete. The next time you are jumping rope, focus on keeping your abs tight to not only encourage proper form and technique, but to give yourself an extra benefit from your training discovering just how core intense jumping rope truly is!

4.  Biceps, Triceps, Chest & Back Sculpting

When you become skilled at jumping rope your arm muscles, chest and back are also highly recruited. You will begin to feel your triceps and biceps burn as you progress into a more advanced jump rope workout. “Jumping Rope Tall,” means maintaining good posture, opening up the chest while elongating the back and spine. This requires practice and awareness the entire time you are roping which also requires strength. If it is sculpted arms you’re looking for, grab a rope and start jumping.

5. Heart Health

The longer and more frequently you jump rope, the better cardiovascular exercise jumping rope becomes. Boxers and MMA fighters have implemented jumping rope into their training for over a century to strengthen their heart and lungs.

Jumping rope increases stamina and endurance which compliments anyone’s training for whatever reason, sport or overall health and fitness. It is easy to tire out while jumping rope when you first begin, but like anything else, ease into it aiming for short intervals to start, and gradually increasing your duration, cadence and frequency as you become more skilled and in better overall physical condition.

Get Jumping

Jumping rope will work every muscle throughout your entire body, while improving your cardiovascular fitness. In addition, it is a skill that improves coordination and agility. All you need is a rope, a little patience, some determination, and a towel to mop up the sweat!

Now you have it…..the 5 reasons why The AVC Elite Training crew jumps rope. Come jump with us!