A few moons ago I lived in an apartment complex that had a room about 15 foot by 18 foot in size, and that is being generous. Sporting a 9 or 10 foot ceiling, this room housed the gym provided by the complex. By this time I was about 8 years into my regimented weight training routine. Therefore, I knew what I liked, and what I required, from a weight room. Thankfully, they had just enough basic equipment for all my needs. I trained out of that room for ten years as a result.
One day someone had left a blue weighted jump rope behind. By weighted, I mean the handles had weights inside their hollow rubber lined plastic shells. I was always ham fisted when attempting to jump rope in the past. Regardless, I gave it another go. To my surprise, this time I could manage to do it rather decently. Having become pleased with myself, I put it down and carried on with the rest of my workout.
The next time I showed up, there it was again. So I gave it a go, again, and was even better at it. With each successive visit to the weight room, there that jump rope was. Calling my name. Soon enough, its constant presence led into jumping rope becoming part of my routine. When I was resting between sets from heavy lower body work, I would jump rope. The more I did it, the better I got at it. And I genuinely looked forward to seeing that blue jump rope at the gym. It represented something new and refreshing for me. It was always there. It didn't let me down.
Then one day that blue jump rope was gone. Rather than become sad, I went to my local sporting goods store and bought one of my own. This time it was not blue, it was black. Still with the weighted handles though. As the blue one was weathered a bit, having a fresh new jump rope was a welcomed improvement. But for some reason I still think of that blue one. It started it all. It sparked the flame in me to be able to do something which I had never been able to do before.
Prior to being able to jump rope successfully for time, I felt like my legs were like tree trunks. Strong, sturdy, and stiff. After jumping rope came into my life, I became nimble and agile again. Almost like I was on roller skates. Whether it was from walking around town, or playing sports like my beloved soccer (football). I felt like I had my legs under me once more. Like when I was a kid. However, this time all that agility is backed by strength. A potent combination.
Jumping rope will sufficiently condition your legs from your knees down to your feet. Something calf raises alone will not do. It will connect all the strength you've built up in your glutes, hamstrings, and quads to the ground. It will make you feel light on your feet no matter how much mass you carry over the rest of your body.
The act of swinging the rope around in and of itself requires lots of energy and coordination from your hands. Using a weighted jump rope is that much more taxing on your body.
Jumping rope for time represents a perfect intersection of strength and cardio training.
If you have ever been looking for THE best bang for the buck exercise, Jumping Rope IS IT.
THE END
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