Just Keep Jumping

Happy Monday y'all! I hope you had a great weekend away from work and all of the stress that sometimes comes with it.
 
Speaking of stress, my favorite way to handle stress in a healthy way is to jump rope. Random, right? I never imagined a childhood activity I used to pass the time at recess with, would one day be my go to workout in a pinch. Who knew? It's especially nice if you’re traveling or can’t make it to the gym because jumping rope is inexpensive, portable, and you can squeeze in a great workout in just a few minutes!
 
Jump roping has tonssss of benefits! For instance, you can burn between 10 and 16 calories per minute. I like to do 1 minute on, 10 seconds off for 20 rounds. That's about 200 calories (give or take) and in less than 30 minutes! Plus, you will be sure to be sweating by the time you finish.

​The muscles worked during jump roping include the gastrocnemius, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, abdominals, forearms, and deltoids. That's a lot of muscles from one simple workout! It builds body awareness and improves quickness and balance. The tempo and rhythm of jump roping helps improve coordination which in turn leads to better balance and quickness. 

A jump rope is incredibly affordable; we got ours for $3! It weighs nothing and you can transport it anywhere. I jump rope at home on those days that I don’t feel like trekking to the gym, but I’ve also been known to take it with me and supplement my weight training workouts with jumping rope in between sets. 

And, last but not least, jump roping increases bone density. It specifically increases bone density in your legs and spine. And, when done correctly, jumping rope is much easier on your bones than running is. This is because each jump is absorbed by both legs at the same time, as opposed to running where alternating legs absorb the impact. Essentially, this evens out the impact and keeps your bones in check. 

So, if you are looking for a great at home workout, pick up your jump rope. If you need to purchase one, check your local Walmart, Target or grab one online from Amazon. Have fun jumping your way to a healthier, happier you! ​
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​-Grace