Skipping or Jump Rope as it is called in some parts of the world is, in my opinion, simply the single most beneficial and all encompassing sport or form of exercise! It can be performed practically anywhere and practised alone or as a group activity. It can also be incorporated into everyone’s lifestyle as a discipline in its own right or incorporated into training to bring performance benefits to any other sport. It can be used as a gentle warm up or low level activity or performed as a high intensity exercise. Oh, and it is simply great fun! Benefits of Skipping – the Top 10

1) The Physical Benefits – It Works! Skipping burns up to 900 calories per hour, making it extremely efficient when used as a workout. It tones and develops muscles, obviously in the lower body but also in the upper body as well. It will help improve cardio-respiratory (heart and lungs) fitness (or stamina), flexibility, co-ordination, balance, rhythm and symmetry!

2) Preventing Osteoporosis – a condition increasingly effecting men and women. Jumping increases bone density in adolescents and prevents bone mass deterioration in adults, thus helping to prevent osteoporosis. The Osteoporosis Society in the UK recommends 2 to 5 minutes of activities like rope jumping every day to help prevent osteoporosis. See skip-hop website for more information regarding rope jumping and osteoporosis.

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