MUSCLEARMSTRONG

There is a good reason—or, more precisely, several good reasons—why skipping rope is a popular training tool for boxers. In the past, skipping rope was primarily considered a pastime for schoolgirls. William Roberts, MD, head of the Sports Medicine Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School, explains, "They've used it for years for strength, balance, and cardiovascular activity." "When you consider what boxers do, they're constantly on their toes and moving around, which is similar to jumping rope, so it uses many of the same muscles." Other sports, celebrities such as Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner, and others from all walks of life are becoming aware of the health benefits of hopping cables, which extend far beyond avoiding a left hook. And according to Callie Gullickson, CPT, rope jumping is acceptable for all fitness levels, making it a fantastic choice for anyone seeking to diversify or improve their workout routine. However, there are a few caveats to this assertion. Dr. Roberts recommends exercising caution if you have foot, ankle, back, or knee difficulties. Also, if you've been inactive for the past three months, he suggests beginning with a low-impact cardio choice to develop your aerobic base. This is due to the fact that, despite the fact that jumping rope may appear easy—and it is possible to recall it as such from a time when physical exertions felt less taxing than they do now—it is anything but; after all, you don't think Halle Berry maintains her famously enviable physique with a few casual skips, do you? Obviously, nothing good comes easily, and there are several benefits to incorporating a rope into your training regimen. Listed below are some advantages that will have you jumping for (and with!) excitement.