5 Jump Rope Variations That Will Help You Lose Weight

Doing a little bit of cardio every day can do wonders for your health. Not only does it burn excess calories and keep you in shape, but also elevates your heart rate and increases your lung capacity. However, to reap these benefits, you’ve to truly go through hell. There’s no nicer way of saying it. That’s exactly what it feels like to be out of breath, but continue running until you meet your target.

It’s tough to motivate yourself to do this on a daily basis. That’s why, alternative forms of cardio, which are functional and fun at the same time, are becoming so popular these days. The best among them is jumping rope. It tones your muscles and trains your mind to be sharper. If you want to amp up your cardio workout, AskMen India shares five jump rope moves you should add to your routine:

Side swings

Side swings are a jump rope move that works on both your upper and lower body. Swinging the rope from side to side helps you get rid of flabby arms. It also strengthens your shoulders. Moreover, as you jump over the rope in each rep, your thigh muscles get toned.

Follow these steps:

• Stand with your feet together.
• Hold the ends of a jump rope in your hands.
• Swing the rope from the left to the right and vice versa in the shape of a rainbow.
• Jump over the rope once it reaches your feet.
• Repeat in a quick and seamless motion.

Skier

Apart from making circles around you using a jump rope, skier involves hopping from side to side. This targets the adductors situated on the outside of your thighs. Given that these muscles are often ignored during leg workouts, this jump rope move is one of a kind. Practise it regularly to lose your lower body fat.

Follow these steps:

• Stand with your feet together.
• Hold the ends of a jump rope in your hands.
• Swing the rope above your head and under your feet to complete a circle.
• As you do this, hop sideways
• Repeat in a quick and seamless motion.

Bell

As its name suggests, this jump rope move that replicates the action of ringing a bell. Instead of your hands, you use your feet to go forwards and backwards in a seamless motion. While you do this, there’s also the challenge of swinging the rope around your body in circles. Not only does this tone your arms and legs, but also improve coordination between them.

Follow these steps:

• Stand with your feet together.
• Hold the ends of a jump rope in your hands.
• Swing the rope above your head and under your feet to complete a circle.
• As you do this, hop forwards and backwards.
• Repeat in a quick and seamless motion.

Straddle

Straddle is a jump rope move that requires an immense level of coordination between your brain and body. Spreading your legs apart and bringing them back together tones your thighs like nothing else. However, the fact that these two movements have to be done in separate reps, but in a seamless motion, makes it quite challenging. Apart from burning fat, this exercise can make you more agile and alert.

Follow these steps:

• Stand with your feet together.
• Hold the ends of a jump rope in your hands.
• Swing the rope above your head and under your feet to complete a circle.
• As you do this, jump and spread your legs slightly apart.
• Take another circle with the rope and jump back into the starting position.
• Repeat in a quick and seamless motion.

Scissors

The name says it all. This jump rope move involves stepping your feet in opposite directions while swinging the rope around you in circles. Again, this requires immense coordination between the mind and body. Not only does it strengthen your muscles and keep them in shape, but also makes you sharper, more focused.

Follow these steps:

• Stand with your feet together.
• Hold the ends of a jump rope in your hands.
• Swing the rope above your head and under your feet to complete a circle.
• As you do this, jump and step your left foot forward and your right foot backward.
• Take another circle with the rope and this time, switch the position of your feet.
• Repeat in a quick and seamless motion.

Practise these jump rope moves to take your cardio session a step further!

Cover artwork by Dhaval Punatar/AskMen India

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