Why do you think boxers like skipping rope so much?
Perhaps it reminds them of carefree childhood, or maybe it just gives them a break from getting punched in the face?
Benefits of Skipping Rope
Traditional boxing workouts tend to be less speculative than those used for, say, bodybuilding. Instead of wondering about the chemistry behind it all, boxing coaches past and present take an empirical approach and discard whatever doesn’t work.
For them, this all comes down to winning fights and not getting injured. As it turns out, being at peak physical fitness makes both of those far more likely, so it’s not surprising that crossfit enthusiasts have embraced rope skipping. It’s a beautifully multifunctional exercise that makes for an intensive cardio workout while promoting better balance and coordination. The latter, even outside the ring, comes in very handy like when you lose your footing on a flight of stairs.
Next to jumping trampoline, skipping is one of the best ways to strengthen and tone your calf muscles, which many ladies find important and is something a lot of men could do with as well. Additionally, this type of exercise is also something you can do nearly anywhere at any time – as long as you have the right kind of jump rope available.
WOD Nation’s Rope
This rope is in fact a metal cable wrapped in soft plastic. That’s because it’s meant for speed, including “double unders” (jumping high enough to let the rope pass under your feet twice before landing again).
The extra weight means that it won’t easily kink or bounce off the floor to catch your feet, but it can bruise your shins slightly if you misjudge your swings. Total beginners may want to get the hang of things with a soft rope first: just because small children can skip rope does not mean it’s easy.
We like this particular manufacturer’s product because there are bearings both in the handles and where the rope is attached, making for a much smoother motion. An extra cable is included in case two people want to share: unlike what you used in grade school, this rope has to be cut to fit a particular user. This is not difficult to do:
If you’ve never jumped a rope that’s just right for the distance between your wrists and feet, you’ll be surprised at how many more jumps per minute this exact-fit WOD Nation rope allows you to achieve.
