ROPE SKIPPING : YOUR INSTANT GYM

Rope skipping is one of the simplest and at the same time one of the most effective exercises one can do. It provides you with a complete body workout in the sense that it involves cardiovascular activity, hand-eye coordination, muscle toning, agility and endurance. Also the rope can be carried anywhere and can skipping can be performed almost anywhere. This way one can always have some kind of workout, even when traveling where gym facility is not available.

If correctly performed, it is a great calorie burner, with 15 min session of skipping rope at a moderate intensity of 60 skips/minute burning around 150 calories. This is equivalent to a 15 min running drill on a treadmill at approx 10km/hr. Since it's a good calorie burning exercise, it naturally helps in loosing weight. In addition, like other cardiovascular activities, this is good for heart. Skipping lowers the cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

It also tones your upper body with shoulders and forearms in action during the skipping routine. When the rope is weighed these muscles are stressed more, hence muscle building formation takes place. In strengthening upper body skipping is considered as more efficient than running.

Skipping ropes is a great exercise for improving coordination and agility. Both the upper and lower body have to work together in synchronization or else you get all tangled up with the rope. Many athletes use the skipping rope not only to improve the stamina but all coordination of their footwork.

However to avoid injuries, skipping should be performed in the correct manner.The posture should be erect with shoulders relaxed and arms slightly bent. Upper body movements should be kept to minimum and wrists should primarily be responsible for rope skipping. Landing softly on toes also helps in skipping in a smooth manner.
While skipping, knees should be slightly bent and arms should be relaxed.

Skipping rope can be fun and at the same time, it provides a fantastic body workout. THE USP: It is easy and can be performed almost anywhere.