Introduction: What is Skipping and Why Should I Consider it as a Form of Exercise?
Skipping as a form of exercise is a great way to burn calories. It’s also a fun activity that can improve lung capacity and is a form of alternative exercise for those who have joint issues.
Some people skip rope as an alternative to running or jogging because it requires less impact on the joints and can be done with less space. Skipping for fitness can also be an effective way to achieve cardiovascular benefits, increase energy, and tone muscles.
Nearly all the benefits of skipping are due to its cardio nature. It has been found out that jumping rope provides more than double the calories burned than what would be burned by walking the same distance on flat ground.
photo credits: Element5 Digital
What is the Difference Between Jumping and Skipping?
Many people have a misconception about jumping rope and skipping, which is that they are the same. This is not true.
The truth is that jumping rope burns a lot more calories than skipping with an average of around 300 calories in 20 minutes. Jumping also provides a much lower intensity workout, making it easier to do for longer periods of time
Skipping can be done with either feet or hands, whereas jumping rope must be done with the feet
The most important difference between jumping and skipping is that in skipping, you use your hands to propel you up instead of foot-to-foot contact
What are the Different Types of Skips?
You need to have a basic understanding of the different types of jumps before you start jumping.
There are many variations on the basic jump, but for now, let’s focus on the three types that are most common. The first is the simple jump, which is just what it sounds like – a jump up and down in one spot. The second is called a cross-over or crossover hop skip where you cross your legs over each other as you hop up and down. And finally, there’s the double-crossover which requires you to take two steps back before hopping up and then crossing your legs over each other as you come back down.
How Can I Start Skipping on a Regular Basis?
The best way to start skipping is by building momentum. The first day of the week is usually the toughest for people because they know that they have 5 days of work ahead of them. So instead, try to skip on a weekday. If you skip during the first week, you will be more motivated to do it again during the next one.
