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Beaded Jump RopeJumping rope is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories. Ten minutes of rope jumping is equivalent to running a mile, but puts less stress on muscles and joints. Rope jumping will improve athletic skills--coordination, agility, timing and endurance--and increase cardiovascular conditioning. Finally, using the lower body to jump and the upper body to control the rope, makes for an all-over workout. - Speed ropes, usually made from thin vinyl cord, are the fastest kind of jump rope, allowing for the highest number of turns per minute. They are used by high-performance athletes. Leather ropes are flexible and durable but not as fast as speed ropes. Leather has a heavier, more-substantial feel than the speed ropes. Beaded jump ropes, the kind covered with short, plastic tubes of alternating colors, are highly visible, audible and resilient. However, they are not as flexible as other ropes and may become tangled during use. Cotton ropes don't respond as quickly as other jump ropes. They dirty easy and fray on rough surfaces. On the plus side, they are quiet and flexible.
- As with any strenuous physical activity, rope jumping requires a warm-up and cool-down session of stretching. Jumping on unforgiving surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt, will increase the risk of injury. Avoid jumping directly on these surfaces. Instead, place a rubber mat under you as a shock absorber. You can also jump on a wooden floor or carpet. Only jump while wearing supportive athletic shoes. Cross trainers, tennis or basketball shoes are best because they support the forefoot where you should be landing after each jump.
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Double Dutch CompetitionMore than an exercise apparatus, jump rope can be a competitive pursuit. Thirty-eight countries, including the United States, participate in international rope jumping competitions. Jumpers compete individually, in teams with a turner holding each end of a long rope, or Double Dutch style, in which two turners swing two ropes in opposite directions while a third person jumps. There are speed competitions of 30 second to 3 minutes, as well as choreographed routines set to music. - According to the International Rope Skipping Federation, the first people to skip rope were rope makers. When twisting long strands of hemp into rope, they often needed to jump over their rope to retrieve loose strands. Their children began to imitate the movement and invent games with small, discarded pieces of rope. Rope skipping in North America was first written about by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. At first, rope skipping was primarily a pastime for boys. Girls were considered too delicate for such high-impact, physical activity. As girls became more involved in rope skipping during the 1900s, they invented different rhythms, chants and songs to accompany their games. See the link below for an extensive collection of jump rope rhymes.
