An Easy Fitness Addition

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I have a business friend who is an 'expert' at jumping rope. He's quite fit, exercises regularly, is always tuned into the next adventure, and for decades, he's made jumping rope his go-to activity. Did you know jumping rope is an exceptional form of cardiovascular and aerobic activity, and a great addition to a power pantry lifestyle?

According to the Jump Rope Institute (yes, there is one of those...) jumping rope for 10 minutes (at a rate of 2 jumps per second) has the same benefit as:

• 30 minutes of jogging
• 2 sets of tennis singles
• 30 minutes of racquet and handball playing
• 720 yards of swimming 
• 18 holes of golf

Jumping rope improves hand-eye coordination, strengthens ankles and bones, and creates better left-brain / right-brain connections in our thinking. All this from a simple activity that most of us learned in grade school.

Check out this great training montage from Rocky 4 (which, of course, starts with Rocky jumping rope...). In it, we see Rocky training in a barn and the great outdoors, while challenger Ivan Drago uses the most sophisticated gym equipment (and steroids) available. This whole depiction is right up my alley as I believe very strongly in simple, affordable, 'natural' forms of exercise, which are great for our fitness, and basically available to everyone.

Rocky 4 Training Montage

So dig out that old jump rope from years or decades ago (or borrow one from your kids) and give it a try. You may feel uncoordinated, out of breath, and a bit dopey at first, but give it a chance, and before long you'll be able to build your minutes and your workout, for a great wellness benefit.

By the Way

Check out this "15 Minute Jump Rope Workout" from www.realsimple.com. Do it for time, or for number of jumps, but just do it...

Jump Rope Workout