Jumping Rope Question

[The Flash]

I really want to start jumping rope but I have nowhere to do it. I can't do it at home (not enough room) and I'm not part of a gym so that's also out of the question. I'm thinking I could go outside and jump rope at a park (on a track or on grass) but I read you should only jump rope on wooden floors (or a surface that gives) because jumping rope can be hard on the knees. What can I do? :confused:

[tim_mcf]

If you do it in running shoes, you should be okay on the track or at the park. Your shoes are already plenty squishy.

[yorkie85]

It shouldn't really be hard on the knees because you only need to clear the ground by about an inch, or else you'd tire out too quickly.

[JMike]

Check out Ross boxing.com at Your Top Source For Free Boxing Training Advice. Specifically his jump rope section: Your Top Source For Boxing Training Advice .

I skipped in school when I was about 9 and I recently took it up again (about 2 years ago). And it's great. I do it in between situps or ab work to keep my heart pumping like mad. It takes time and patience but practice and you'll get there. You'll be fine on concrete. The key is not to jump, but bounce off your toes. Lightly. Watch boxers skip to see what I mean.

[gymgirl]

I would be careful about jumping rope on concrete, especially if you are doing double unders. Like Jmike said you do want to be light on your feet, bouncing off your toes but when you get fatiged, sometimes it just dosen't happen!

I track or any padded (like playground surface) would work nicely.

[The Flash]

Thanks for all the replies and the links. I certainly feel better about jumping rope outside now.

[.V.]

I'm not jumping rope right now, but when I do it as part of my training, I do it on a 1/2 inch thick piece of plywood placed on the grass. Springy enough to be safe and small enough to keep me from hopping around all over the place.

[Arith]

It shouldnt be too hard on the knee. Jumping rope should always be done with your knees slightly bent and you should always land on the balls of your feet, your heals should never really touch the ground once you start jumping.

Watch this video and keep an eye on Mayweathers feet, he's a boxer and the way he can jump rope is unbelievable but notice that his heals dont touch and he does not lock his legs. Its also just a crazy video:

YouTube - Floyd Mayweather Jr. Jump Rope Routine

[The Flash]

Thanks for posting that video Arith. That was crazy jump roping skills. It was interesting you posted that because I just read an article about Floyd Mayweather's training in the May issue of Men's Health yesterday.