Tool Talk Thursday!

Thanks for stopping in for today's tool talk. Today I'm featuring one of the cheapest, most efficient pieces of cardio equipment you can add to your home gym. It's portable and can be used pretty much anywhere. Today I introduce to you (or should I say re-introduce) the....

SKIP ROPE!!!!

If the last time you pulled out one of these babies was on the playground double dutching as a 9 year old, it may be time to take another look at this childhood favorite.

Skipping rope has a multitude of benefits so lets go over a few and give you the basics of how to use one.

1. Skip ropes are cheap! You can find a great one for under $20.
2. Skip ropes are a GREAT cardio workout. You can burn up to 1000 calories an hour. That's a chocolate bar burned in 20 minutes!
3. Skipping is fantastic for bone health. The low impact helps to build bone strength.
4. Skipping is great for the whole family. Challenge your kids and their friends to a skip rope contest and everyone will have a blast!
5. Skipping works not only your cardio but also tones your calves (think summertime!) abs and arms.
6. Skipping is great for your co-ordination, agility and endurance.

So the first thing you need to know is the appropriate size. Most boxes will come with a sizing chart but if not, pull it out of the box and make sure it reaches your armpits. If it's a little to big you can tie knots up by the handles but if it's to short, skip it (pun intended).

Secondly, opt for a speed rope. These come usually come with a swivel or bearing action at the handles allowing the rope to turn faster.

So now that you have your rope, how do you do it? First things first, skipping will quickly become annoying if you keep getting tangled up in the rope. The most common reason for misses is that your muscles are becoming fatigued.  To avoid this, switch up your skip every 30 seconds or so. Start with a basic jump, then move to jacks, then to one foot, etc. By changing it up, you prevent your muscles from burning out.  Start with a goal of 5 minutes and gradually increase your time to build up your endurance. Keep in mind that skipping at a quick pace is the same cardio benefits as running an 8 minute mile!

So head into your attic, dig out that skip rope and blast some calories!

As with any other physical activity, please consult your physician before any exercise program.

Have a great night and we'll see you tomorrow for Foodie Friday!

Sarah