by Answer is Fitness on February 14, 2010
There are many great benefits to jumping rope when it comes to your cardiorespiratory system. Jumping rope is hard work which is good for you. The longer you can do it the better your stamina. We know when we were younger we could do things like running around longer because we had better stamina. Jumping rope is not easy and requires some getting use to.
Jumping Rope in a forward motion is the most comfortable and natural. Once you are able to do 40-50 in a row without stopping, change it up and do it on one foot at a time to make it more challenging on your leg muscles (especially good for your calves). The only problem that could occur with Jumping Rope forward all of the time, which puts all the pushing motion on the anterior (front part of your) deltoids, is rounded shoulders. Want more balanced shoulder muscles? Then jump rope backwards as well.
Not only is Jumping Rope backwards harder, but it puts more of the motion onto your posterior (back part of your) deltoids. When jumping rope backwards becomes too easy, perform it one foot at a time backwards. This is another challenging thing you can do for your cardio routine.
