OT: Jumping rope for cardio...

[defpearlpilot]

A couple weeks ago, I bought some gym equipment for my house cause I had a hard time getting out to the gym. Basically, I'd commute,get dressed,etc for about as long as I would work out. I also have more stuff on my plate with work so by the time I got done with that, it would be too late cause my gym's hours suck.

Being that I don't really have the ability have the cash at the moment to buy a cardio piece, I bought a $15 jump rope. I can't really go running and nor can I cause my hip is starting to wear out(long story). Running is too much impact and I get sweaty really easily so I imagine that I'd get sick rather then get a workout.

I tried jumping last night and I only go about an inch or so off the floor so I haven't felt too much impact on my hips. I don't have the coordination at the moment with it to go for an extended amount of time. The question is, am I fooling myself with thinking this will be a good cardio workout?

 

[Gainfreak]

A couple weeks ago, I bought some gym equipment for my house cause I had a hard time getting out to the gym. Basically, I'd commute,get dressed,etc for about as long as I would work out. I also have more stuff on my plate with work so by the time I got done with that, it would be too late cause my gym's hours suck.

Being that I don't really have the ability have the cash at the moment to buy a cardio piece, I bought a $15 jump rope. I can't really go running and nor can I cause my hip is starting to wear out(long story). Running is too much impact and I get sweaty really easily so I imagine that I'd get sick rather then get a workout.

I tried jumping last night and I only go about an inch or so off the floor so I haven't felt too much impact on my hips. I don't have the coordination at the moment with it to go for an extended amount of time. The question is, am I fooling myself with thinking this will be a good cardio workout?

As you know already bro, Fitness and diet is a hobby of mine (one which I don't practice on myself!!)
That said, I own well over 50 of the best books on the subject and I can tell you without a doubt jumping rope is quite possibly one of the best cardio exercise that's out there. Now with that said, you need to figure out if it's going to work for you because it is also one of the hardest and most demanding cardio exercises plus it put strain on your joints. I prefer the plain old exercise bike but YMMV

 

[defpearlpilot]

A couple weeks ago, I bought some gym equipment for my house cause I had a hard time getting out to the gym. Basically, I'd commute,get dressed,etc for about as long as I would work out. I also have more stuff on my plate with work so by the time I got done with that, it would be too late cause my gym's hours suck.

Being that I don't really have the ability have the cash at the moment to buy a cardio piece, I bought a $15 jump rope. I can't really go running and nor can I cause my hip is starting to wear out(long story). Running is too much impact and I get sweaty really easily so I imagine that I'd get sick rather then get a workout.

I tried jumping last night and I only go about an inch or so off the floor so I haven't felt too much impact on my hips. I don't have the coordination at the moment with it to go for an extended amount of time. The question is, am I fooling myself with thinking this will be a good cardio workout?

As you know already bro, Fitness and diet is a hobby of mine (one which I don't practice on myself!!)
That said, I own well over 50 of the best books on the subject and I can tell you without a doubt jumping rope is quite possibly one of the best cardio exercise that's out there. Now with that said, you need to figure out if it's going to work for you because it is also one of the hardest and most demanding cardio exercises plus it put strain on your joints. I prefer the plain old exercise bike but YMMV

Awesome Ralph. Well, I like things "hard." My favorite machine is the Versa Climber. When I first started that, I could barely last 4 minutes on a low setting. Now, I'm like a champ doing 20+ minutes at almost max. The only issue with jumping is that it requires more focus and coordination. Which I actually don't have a problem with. I read that a lot of people get frustrated doing it and give up.

I prefer old fashioned stuff myself. I only do free weights but all that takes up a lot of space. So I got the best of both worlds. http://www.prospotfitness.net/hg1.html

This machine has a pulley weight stack and a suspended pulley bar for free weights. The cool thing is that if you are close to failure, just let go of the bar and the weight is held by the pulleys. It's a really awesome feature and makes me and my wife feel safer using it over just free weights alone. We are already in love with not having to go to the gym. Plus, I can go and use it whenever I want to blow of some steam. It's great.

 

[strungup]

I also agree that it will be great cardio but if you are looking for a light impact exercise jump rope will not be your best choice. You might not have noticed it because you said you have not built up your length of time but you might start to feel it on your hips. If your going to do it anyway I would suggest getting those cusioned mats to lessen the impact.

 

[tweed]

Cardio is for pussies!!!

Eat more doughnuts!

 

[MrDan666]

Cardio is for pussies!!!

Eat more doughnuts!

 

[defpearlpilot]

I also agree that it will be great cardio but if you are looking for a light impact exercise jump rope will not be your best choice. You might not have noticed it because you said you have not built up your length of time but you might start to feel it on your hips. If your going to do it anyway I would suggest getting those cusioned mats to lessen the impact.

Thanks for the info. I do have mats in the basement that the equipment sits on but it would help to get more cushion. I want to actually buy a versa climber for my house but those things are $3K for the base commercial model. Everyone I talked to said the home models suck. I won't be able to get one for a while.

I'll try the rope for a bit and see how it goes.. Otherwise, I'm not sure what else I could do.

 

[Gainzilla]

Done right, Jumping rope is incredible cardio, it used to KILL me!!! another alternative( and one that I can help you with is hitting the heavy bag.... I can come down and teach you how to wrap up your hands and hit properly as well as how to work the bag correctly so you dont hurt yourself and trust me, you ll be close to puking in no time flat, especially when I teach you how to kick as well. Its an insanely good workout Andrew...

Kage

 

[sandman]

Done right, Jumping rope is incredible cardio, it used to KILL me!!! another alternative( and one that I can help you with is hitting the heavy bag.... I can come down and teach you how to wrap up your hands and hit properly as well as how to work the bag correctly so you dont hurt yourself and trust me, you ll be close to puking in no time flat, especially when I teach you how to kick as well. Its an insanely good workout Andrew...

Kage

+1 on the heavy bag.....now, i just need to get off my fat butt and start doing it again!!!!

 

[Inearthed]

I wish I could jump rope, but I'm so terribly uncoordinated when it comes to it!

 

[sandman]

I wish I could jump rope, but I'm so terribly uncoordinated when it comes to it!

me too....my timing sucks...

 

[grooveHT]

To add to what others have said, jumping rope is fantastic cardio, and has an added bonus of getting your coordination and footwork really happening. I've never felt as light on my feet as after I started jumping rope regularly. Also I agree that its not a particularly low impact workout, but I personally found it less impact than running, and I felt more winded doing 10 minutes jumping rope than 20 of running. Hey, Bruce Lee was a big rope fan, that should say it all!

 

[Copperhead]

I jump rope for cardio, occasionally taking a break from it and running. I find that the jumping is easier on my knees and hips but harder on my feet than running. That said, I look for shoes with the most cushion from the toes to the ball of the foot for jumping, and a good shoe helps a lot. Also, it is impossible for me to go for 20 minutes straight, what I do to get a good 20 minute cardio workout is jump fast for 1 minute, 1 minute rest, for 10 sets. I get about 110-120 reps per set. I've also heard of people jumping rope on a mini-tramp, the idea is it's easier and you can go for 20-30 minutes straight and not hurt your joints. The way I do it is like wind sprints, I guess.

 

[jkdsteve]

I wish I could jump rope, but I'm so terribly uncoordinated when it comes to it!

Takes practice to build it up...the way pro boxers to it..well, you can immediately see how much it improves their footwork...amazing.

Since I fucked my knee over, can't skip.....so watch your knees and ankles...also possible to get problems with the small bones in your feet...jump on a softer surface if you can.

I vote for a bag workout....do it in rounds, 30 secs, minutes...2 minutes....work up...bag work drops weight like nobody's business..soo many combinations too and there's nothing like it for working out stress

 

[defpearlpilot]

Anybody ever set up a bag in their house?