Fitness: Skipping Is The New Spinning: The Cardio Trend You Need To Try

If cardio fills you with dread, step off the treadmill and pick up a skipping rope instead.

Cardio has had a hard time of late. Following the explosion of women's weight training, TRX, boxing and functional fitness, the treadmills, cross-trainers and rowing machines have been left collecting a layer of dust for a couple of years now. And it’s understandable: finishing a workout with 30 monotonous minutes staring at the timer, playing ever more complicated mental maths games counting down how many seconds remain, is undeniably boring. But, there’s a new cardio trend on the gym floor that’s about to change it all, and all it takes is a humble skipping rope.

Skipping as a cardio workout has burst onto the fitness scene, and a playground game this is not. This is skipping 2.0: sexier, more technical and certainly more dynamic. It ticks all the boxes of what a good cardio workout should be: challenging and heart-rate elevating yet sustainable for 20 minutes or more. But, crucially, it’s fun, varied, and more skills-orientated. Achieving a double-under or cross-

over counts as an accomplishment, much like a yoga crow or headstand, making us far more likely to

keep going back for more.

Alex Whittet has been skipping for over three years as an alternative to running. “I found running a bit one-dimensional, but taking up skipping has given me much more variety, and the cardio benefits are almost instantaneous. It’s boosted my hand-eye coordination, agility – and mastering tricks definitely turns heads."

And, when you consider that boxers have been skipping for centuries to keep their footwork in check, it comes as no surprise that skipping is having a renaissance. Skipping classes and workouts are rather appropriately popping up all across London. These are the studios you need to know, and the equipment to add to your gym arsenal.

HIIS at 12x3

HIIS – that’s high intensity interval skipping – launched in January 2019 at London boxing gym 12x3. “Skipping improves timing, coordination and agility whilst toning upper and lower body muscles and burning fat. We’ve designed the class so all abilities and anyone looking to improve their skill level and get a great workout, can take part. The more skillful they get the harder they’ll be able to push,” says 12x3 co-founder Ryan Pickard. The class itself promises to burn up to 1,200 calories, but it’s developing skills and tricks that will have you coming back for more.

 

On The Ropes meet-ups, London

Founded in 2010 and scheduling regular meet-ups every few weeks in the capital, On The Ropes offers a variety of sessions for all skipping skillsets. The focus here is on improving technique, so that skippers can unlock the full health and fitness benefits.

meetup.com/ontheropes

 

For going it alone: Rush Athletics jump-ropes

If you’re going solo, a good quality rope is a must. "If you’re under 6 foot, you need a 9 foot rope. Over 6 foot? Go for the 10 foot," advises Whittet. Rush Athletics make the highest quality ropes in the business. If you’re travelling, it takes up next to no space in your suitcase, and all you need is some outside space.