ConditioningBeginnerjump rope

Jump Rope

A cardiovascular exercise using a rope swung over the head and under the feet. Develops coordination, calf endurance, and aerobic capacity with low equipment cost.

How to do it

  1. 1Hold handles at hip height, elbows tucked close to your sides
  2. 2Spin the rope using your wrists, not your whole arms
  3. 3Jump just high enough to clear the rope — stay on the balls of your feet
  4. 4Keep a steady rhythm and breathe naturally

Common mistakes

  • Jumping too high, wasting energy
  • Using big arm circles instead of wrist flicks
  • Landing flat-footed or with locked knees

Muscles worked

calvesshoulderscoreforearmsquadriceps

Variations

Easier

Imaginary rope (no rope, just hop in place)

Harder

Double-unders or crossover jump rope

Used in

Related exercises

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