I'm going to take up skipping.
Discussion
Having bought a wood-handled leather rope a few years ago and used it about twice, I recently started using it as a way of conditioning my calf muscles following injuries.
I wasn't very good when I started a couple of weeks ago, but have managed to improve a fair bit. Yesterday I did 10 minutes as a gym warm-up and 5 minutes afterwards.
Something seems to have clicked as I was managing to do jump on one foot and even managed a couple of switches between feet.
I was skipping on tarmac outside the gym. Skipping on a foam floor mat inside the gym felt more awkward, but might be better for the knees. My back was a bit stiff today.
Any constructive injury avoidance hints or technique suggestions would be welcome.
I wasn't very good when I started a couple of weeks ago, but have managed to improve a fair bit. Yesterday I did 10 minutes as a gym warm-up and 5 minutes afterwards.
Something seems to have clicked as I was managing to do jump on one foot and even managed a couple of switches between feet.
I was skipping on tarmac outside the gym. Skipping on a foam floor mat inside the gym felt more awkward, but might be better for the knees. My back was a bit stiff today.
Any constructive injury avoidance hints or technique suggestions would be welcome.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 2nd May 20:18
MC Bodge said:
Having bought a wood-handled leather rope a few years ago and used it about twice, I recently started using it as a way of conditioning my calf muscles following injuries.
I wasn't very good when I started a couple of weeks ago, but have managed to improve a fair bit. Yesterday I did 10 minutes as a gym warm-up and 5 minutes afterwards.
Something seems to have clicked as I was managing to do jump on one foot and even managed a couple of switches between feet.
I was skipping on tarmac outside the gym. Skipping on a foam floor mat inside the gym felt more awkward, but might be better for the knees. My back was a bit stiff today.
Any constructive injury avoidance hints or technique suggestions would be welcome.
Skipping is one thing where practice makes perfect. At first it's awkward but after a while you get naturally into it and just know how and when to jump without thinking.I wasn't very good when I started a couple of weeks ago, but have managed to improve a fair bit. Yesterday I did 10 minutes as a gym warm-up and 5 minutes afterwards.
Something seems to have clicked as I was managing to do jump on one foot and even managed a couple of switches between feet.
I was skipping on tarmac outside the gym. Skipping on a foam floor mat inside the gym felt more awkward, but might be better for the knees. My back was a bit stiff today.
Any constructive injury avoidance hints or technique suggestions would be welcome.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 2nd May 20:18
You will progress to double unders fairly quickly, running on the spot but criss cross takes a bit longer to get the hang of.
It's really enjoyable when you get skilful, your calves will hurt at first but soon you will enjoy it.
CoolHands said:
Justices said:
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jonah35 said:
Skipping is one thing where practice makes perfect. At first it's awkward but after a while you get naturally into it and just know how and when to jump without thinking.
You will progress to double unders fairly quickly, running on the spot but criss cross takes a bit longer to get the hang of.
It's really enjoyable when you get skilful, your calves will hurt at first but soon you will enjoy it.
I've certainly noticed an improvement. My calves were the one thing that didn't ache or hurt whilst skipping. I could feel it in my shoulders.You will progress to double unders fairly quickly, running on the spot but criss cross takes a bit longer to get the hang of.
It's really enjoyable when you get skilful, your calves will hurt at first but soon you will enjoy it.
Have done skipping as my cardio for the past 19 years, awesome for fitness and never again do you need to que for a machine. I work round the world as a commissioning engineer and my rope is one of the first things I pack. (Weighted leather boxing rope) should really teach myself some fancy tricks as well.
chrisxr2 said:
Have done skipping as my cardio for the past 19 years, awesome for fitness and never again do you need to que for a machine. I work round the world as a commissioning engineer and my rope is one of the first things I pack. (Weighted leather boxing rope) should really teach myself some fancy tricks as well.
Good stuff. I can see myself taking a rope with me on works trips along with my running kit.Any useful tips or things to avoid?
Don't do it on a rolling ship, it's bloody hard work, make sure you get a correctly sized rope. Top of the handles should come level with the top of your armpit. Buy a decent rope from the off. If you can start off in front of a mirror when you first try, it really helps till you get the hang of it. I have worn standard trainers always been fine, though sometimes sprung floors are a bit dodgy for it. Have fun, be prepared for lots of questions and let's have a go's from people.
Any useful tips or things to avoid?
MC Bodge said:
chrisxr2 said:
Have done skipping as my cardio for the past 19 years, awesome for fitness and never again do you need to que for a machine. I work round the world as a commissioning engineer and my rope is one of the first things I pack. (Weighted leather boxing rope) should really teach myself some fancy tricks as well.
Good stuff. I can see myself taking a rope with me on works trips along with my running kit.Any useful tips or things to avoid?
Double underS? What is this?
I'm horribly unco-ordinated, but I can do a couple of mins at a time before my tiredness makes me just bruise my legs and get me mad at the failure!
Agree though, its good exercise and not used much when people are running or cycling.
I used to use he 'pace room' at my gym, the sort of thing where you spend 45/60/90 seconds on a station and move on, I slipped in skipping between each station to harden things up as it got easier.
I'm horribly unco-ordinated, but I can do a couple of mins at a time before my tiredness makes me just bruise my legs and get me mad at the failure!
Agree though, its good exercise and not used much when people are running or cycling.
I used to use he 'pace room' at my gym, the sort of thing where you spend 45/60/90 seconds on a station and move on, I slipped in skipping between each station to harden things up as it got easier.
Well, it does seem to be getting a bit easier -and faster. Wearing a pair of my more cushioned running shoes felt better too.
It appears to be a better alternative gym warm-up to a stationary bike (and it's not as if I need any more cycling time) and may help with rehab of my weak ankle as well as my calf muscles.
I am liking this skipping lark.
It appears to be a better alternative gym warm-up to a stationary bike (and it's not as if I need any more cycling time) and may help with rehab of my weak ankle as well as my calf muscles.
I am liking this skipping lark.
Wacky Racer said:
yes.. no Mc Bodge, well done, I too find it a great warm up. only inside a gym or outside at home, else I will hit something with the rope!
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