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Original poster

What do you think of skipping as a way to keep fit?

25 replies

TR888 · 25/04/2020 16:29

Hi, I’m thinking of buying a skipping rope and take up skipping. It seems like good exercise and convenient if for whatever reason I can’t go running. I have outdoor space to do it. What do you think?

Also, can anybody tell me what kind of skipping rope I need to buy, considering I am a complete beginner?

OP posts:
GymSloth · 25/04/2020 16:32

Sounds a great way to keep fit - isn't it what boxers do as part of their training?

No idea about which rope, sorry - but interested to see what recommendations you get!

wildthingsinthenight · 25/04/2020 16:33

It's supposed to be a great all round exercise. Cardio and toning.
Just make sure you have a good sports bra!Grin

BestIsWest · 25/04/2020 16:37

I was just about to post about the bra! DS has a skipping rope as he can’t go to the gym. I tried it last week and it was not as easy as I remembered. I managed 6 turns of the rope!

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 25/04/2020 16:38

It’s an intense workout so you could use it as interval training one minute skipping, 30 seconds rest type of thing, also make sure you do it properly (like a boxer) not how we skipped as children.

LordEmsworth · 25/04/2020 16:38

There's a reason boxers skip. It is excellent training, especially for HIIT type training - gets your heart rate right up, quickly. It is also bloody hard!

Any rope will do, the fancy ones are adjustable lengths and have counters - I have a bog standard one, which is a bit too long but I know that if I wrap one end round my hand twice, it's a perfect length.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 25/04/2020 16:42

Here you go

fallfallfall · 25/04/2020 16:43

Well it relatively quick, no one at the gym does hours of it. What I see is it being used in conjunction with other forms of training.
Make sure what you buy adjusts for your height, and that the handles don’t twist up.

LadyPips · 25/04/2020 16:46

I lost 10lbs when I was younger just by skipping for 20 mins a few times a week. Just be sure to warm up and don't skip on too hard a surface.

Thighmageddon · 25/04/2020 16:48

Have you seen the Skipping Sikh on the BEEB? He looks so flipping fit for his age.

Original poster
TR888 · 27/04/2020 08:08

Thank you for your answers. That video is really helpful, by the way! I've bought a weighted rope which should be delivered in the next few days, I'll let you know how it goes!

OP posts:
SunnyStroll · 27/04/2020 08:22

It is excellent exercise and much harder (fitness wise) than it looks.

I find it very boring though so can't actually make myself stick at it for very long.

BunnytheHoneyBee · 27/04/2020 08:25

DH found a skipping rope in the garage the other day, apparently mine 🤷🏻‍♀️ So I’m going to give it a go

Concerned about the bra thing as I’m a 32G

Rollerbird · 27/04/2020 12:12

It's really good skipping is.

CloudyVanilla · 27/04/2020 12:15

Also good are mini trampolines! NASA says trampolining is the best exercise :)

anxietrist · 27/04/2020 12:16

I'd piss myself

Rollerbird · 27/04/2020 17:22

@anxietrist me too. I wear tena ladies

wanderings · 27/04/2020 17:26

Professional netball players often skip.

Nicole106 · 28/04/2020 13:30

Skipping is a great way to keep fit, make sure you check the length of the rope and alter it to suite you. Plenty of videos on YouTube that can help you.

kirinm · 28/04/2020 13:33

I've started skipping and it is hard. I'm now up to 1 min on, 30s rest for about 15 mins. It is absolutely killing my calf muscles. I know that'll improve but wow. Because I'm finding it quite hard on my legs, I'm not putting much pressure on my lungs but I know eventually they'll be tested too.

I was also going to incorporate it into some HIIT adding other things into the rest periods (squats / push ups etc).

BunnytheHoneyBee · 30/04/2020 14:17

I might try this today!

Shockers · 30/04/2020 14:22

I’ve just ordered DS a good skipping rope for his birthday (he’ll be 20) next week. He’s set up a training circuit. I’d join him, but I’ve recently had surgery.

myredcardiganbob · 30/04/2020 15:06

Skipping is a brilliant form of exercise, I alternate running and skipping days. There’s a very active Jump Rope group on fb, really skilled skippers who can do amazing things. I stick my wireless headphones on, set my Garmin to skip and off I go, set of 40 rotations boxer skip (feet together) with a count for 10 rest, set of 100 single foot (distributing jumps between each foot, feels like you’re toe tapping) count of 10 rest then repeat for however long I want. Dripping with sweat by the end! I have a fairly heavy leather rope and my arms feel as though they’ve been well worked, too.

Original poster
TR888 · 02/05/2020 16:55

Thanks for the answers! I'm using an old rope for now, the new one should be delivered soon. It's good fun! But I keep tripping over the rope. I guess it's just a matter of practice... or so I hope!

OP posts:
Rollerbird · 02/05/2020 17:38

Try and keep your elbows in and your hands low (rather than out wide).
And try to relax your shoulders etc.

DownThePan · 05/05/2020 14:35

@Thighmageddon the skipping Sikh is amazing. I'm trying to work my way up to 20 minutes skipping as he suggests. I currently bail around 2 minutes!

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