Skipping Like A Boxer!

[insomniac]

Hi everyone,

I work out at home but have'nt always done so, I used to go to a boxing gym for a while and the thing that struck me was the amount of people in there who were skipping. I decided to buy a rope and try at home but no way could I skip like the men and women in that boxing gym. Their feet hardly left the ground and that rope was moving unbelievably fast!
I want to train at home now, running is'nt really doing it for me due to recurring injuries so i've decided to dig out the skipping rope.
What I want to know is how I can learn to skip like those boxers do, I raise my leg's too high and use up far more energy than I need to and I can't go for long without getting out of breath or tripping up on the rope.
Any help with regard's to skipping technique, rope length, practice time etc etc ..... would be greatly appreciated!
In case it matter's i'm 27 years old, moderately fit, weigh 76kg which I think is the right weight for me, i'm not over or under weight!
Thank's everyone, take care - Paul.

 

[abear]

IMO, jumping rope is a great. i did a little this summer and was amazed at how pathetic i was at it. its hard work.

anyways i have 2 articles in my binder and some points they make that i can reprint here are:

how to skip

with hands at your sides, three inches from your hips, hold the handles lightly and turn them with your wrists in small circles

keep elbows slightly bent

tilt head slightly down, but not so you're staring at your feet

keep your upper body straight and erect

land on the balls of your feet with the heels barely touching



also says the most common mistake is jumping too high which causes big problems. it says to skip one foot at a time


intermedate rope workout

5 minute warm up (walk, jog or cardio machine)

2 minute skip

1 minute rest

repeat 2 minute skip/1 minute rest 4 times

total 20 minutes

then add 1 more set per week

advanced

5 minute warmup as above

3 minute skip

1 minute rest

repeat 3 times

total 25 minutes


other things it says is to jump only an inch from the ground,keep the knees bent, stand tall, grip rope at level of hips, flick the wrists to turn rope, keep upper arms stationary, keep elbows close to sides, keep chin up.

has some more ideas for routines but thats the basic points they make.

 

[insomniac]

Hi abear,

Thanks for that info, it was really useful!
I don't think people realise just how much technique's involved in skipping, like I said in my previous post, i've seen people make it look really easy.
I'm gonna try the routine you outlined in your reply, thank's abear.
Take care - Paul.

 

[abear]

no problem. glad it offered some help.

i thought it was a piece of cake till i actually did it. but its great. next summer i plan on really getting into it, or trying to at least if i can handle it.