Jump Rope/ Jogging

[vvFuzevv]

Since the spring is just around the corner and my swim season is over, I'm going to need a new form of cardio. I have figured on jogging a lot during the week, perhaps 4 days, lift the other 3 days. However, since it is still pretty cold/rainy on some of these winter days, would you still recommend jogging. Basically, what i'm asking is, is jumping rope good cardio at all? Or, what's the best way to go about it?

 

[PinkPanther]

Jumping rope is a great form of cardio. It is a lot harder than one would think!! I would say that you could do jogging on two days, rope jumping on two days, and then the other day you could rest...just my .02...

 

[vvFuzevv]

Any ideas on a good jump rope regimen in terms of time and how strenuous it should be. Also, how would you know if you have around a 10% BF %. I think I'm right around there now, but I'm not sure how I would know?

 

[PinkPanther]

Well, when I first started out, I thought it would be a lot easier than it really was. I thought I could just pump out 10 minutes of jumping...yeah, right! I usually do my rope jumping as intervals. I usually do like 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, rest 30 seconds - 1 minute. Continue like that for like 15 minutes. If you can't do the full 1 1/2-2 minutes, just do 30 seconds and rest for 30 seconds. That's how I started out, and I just worked myself up to longer intervals. As for BF%, I am not sure. From what I've read in here, the calipers and scales that you buy are crap. I've read of some sort of test where you are in water, but that's all I can think of it right now. Maybe if you do a search, you can find out more abou those. Sorry I couldn't tell you more about it...

PinkPanther

 

[vvFuzevv]

No prob - but do you find as you get in better and better cardio shape the time necessary to jump in order to make you tired increases? Like, could it take you 5 mins of jumping to feel tired one week and then a month later 10 minutes to feel tired? Also, do you ever messup/hit your feet w/ the rope?

 

[PinkPanther]

Well, I don't think that it would move along that fast. And, if it does then you could just change up your routine. For example, you could go faster, and then instead of completely resting, go at a slow pace or something like that. Once you get started, I think you will just be able to figure it out from what your body tells you.