While we’ve all got our own fond memories of skipping ropes in the playground, did you know that people have actually been jumping rope since as early as 1600AD? According to historical records, the Ancient Egyptians and the Australian Aborigines were some of the first to pick up a rope and jump over it for fun — and while the material might have progressed from flexible bamboo and vines to a combination of nylon and plastic, the hobby is still a firm favourite amongst adults too.
Yep, come rain or shine, skipping is a pastime that has lasted the ages, but these days the focus is more on the positive impact it has to our health rather than the giggles it yields. With this in mind, and with the help of Muddy Puddles, waterproof coat retailers, here are 5 IDEAL benefits of skipping.
AFFORDABLE AND FUN
Never has exercise been so easy and affordable. All you need to get started is a rope and some sensible shoes, so what are you waiting for? As simple a way to get some valuable physical activity into your daily routine as you could imagine— just make sure that they have enough space, of course. Often, exercising can feel like a chore but skipping provides a solution to this; you can skip virtually anywhere — and you could even be watching your favourite TV soap at the same time — a win-win situation, we think.
BOOSTS COORDINATION
Coordination relates to the way in which we move our arms and legs and the control we have over our movements and motion. In order to stay properly mobile, all adults should be challenging their sense of coordination every day to promote a better sense of balance and improved motor skills. Skipping uses many of the body’s muscles at the same time, and requires focus on various parts of the body in tandem. Hand-eye coordination is the benefactor in this multi-muscle discipline.
REDUCES FAT AND BURNS CALORIES
We should all be aiming to raise our heart rate daily through cardio-based exercise. Skipping does this while also increasing stamina levels, with the effects more keenly felt if you’re using a weighted skipping rope. With every jump, calories are burnt, and fat reduced — making skipping one of the simplest ways to get some aerobic exercise into your daily routine.
IMPROVES CREATIVITY
Here’s something from leftfield. While some people might find the constant, consistent nature of skipping boring, others claim it boosts their creativity. This is through the desire to innovate the workout that such a monotonous routine brings. Instead of the most simple and popular two feet basic jump, try to mix things up with a bit of criss-cross (both in feet and arms) and single foot hops. In fact, any way you can think of to bring a little colour to your skipping will help fuel the imagination.
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON SKIPPING
While skipping, the body and the brain work in harmony to maintain motion, creating a therapeutic space of reflection and mindfulness. At the end of the session, calmness and composure replace pre-skip feelings of stress and mind clutter. So, why not include a five minute skip in your day, from today? There really is no reason not to.
