Anyone for Skipping?
When I was a kid, there was always a long skipping rope being swung by two girls in the school playground at break times and there was always a queue of kids lining up to have a go at jumping it. Most managed a few jumps before getting tangled in the rope and the next kid had their turn.
As a grown-up, I almost forgot all about that skipping rope until recently I was watching a movie about boxers training and I spotted on in the training gym skipping away with a one-man rope. It all came flooding back to me! there was a great way to exercise and keep fit and it was so simple, inexpensive and occupied such a small area that it could be done anywhere, anytime and for any length of time. At least until the skipper ran out of steam!
So I went out and bought a good quality rope with contoured wooden handles and bearing connectors for the rope to cut down on friction. Oh, yeah, this was gonna be fun!
Except, unlike riding a bike, I appeared to have forgotten how to skip! My first few attempts were pathetic to say the least. I got tangled in the rope a dozen times and tripped myself over twice to fall unceremoniously on my behind!
But I persevered and eventually the knack came back, by which time I was out of breath and needed to rest. One thing I’m pretty good at is tenacity and perseverance. I just won’t give up and kept at it until I had got back into the swing, if you’ll excuse the pun. Skipping was once again fun to do and it really got me working up a sweat. I added some good music to the mix and found the time went quicker while my enjoyment improved.
I’d recommend skipping as a serious exercise form to anyone who wants to improve their fitness levels and sweat off a few pounds in the process. Try it and see for yourself!
