I was cleaning out the closet in my old bedroom at my mom’s house the other week and discovered a jumprope. It took a significant amount of willpower not to abandon the remainder of the cleaning project and spend the rest of the afternoon skipping rope outside in the driveway, but I managed.
Since then, though, my mind has been spinning with the possibilities that a jumprope presents. One of my greatest fitness challenges while on the road is getting in cardio. When I’m on a trip that involves physical activity, like hiking or a lot of sightseeing, I don’t worry about it, but if I’m on a longer trip that involves sedentary days, I get itchy feet. Intellectually, I know that running is the easiest solution to those traveling cardio blues, but, to be honest, I hate running. (Unpopular opinion, I know. I’m working on it.) HIIT routines provide a good, effective answer, but some days you want something middle of the road: cardio, but less high intensity.
Enter the jumprope.
Is it the perfect traveling companion? It just might be. Think about it: A jumprope is compact and lightweight, easily fitting inside a suitcase or a bag. It requires nothing other than your body and a moderate amount of open space. The intensity of the workout can be easily adjusted – just jump more slowly for a less vigorous workout, faster to for a more intense session.
It’s fun, and it’s effective: Jumping rope can burn more than 10 calories per minute.1 Check out this link to a calculator to estimate how many calories you can burn jumping rope. What’s more, jumping rope improves your cardiovascular fitness and tones your muscles.2
Frankly, I don’t know how it took me so long to realize what a fantastic travel companion a jumprope would be! When we were in Amman, Jordan last year, our guesthouse had a rooftop “gym” (read: a bench and a few free weights littered about the roof), and I discovered a jumprope there. I spent one happy evening skipping rope while watching celebrations take place in front of the ancient Roman Theater across the street. I had such fun, but I never thought to pick up a rope to take on my travels.
But, with the discovery of the jumprope in my old closet, that’s all behind me. Now all I need is a great playlist! Jumping rope goes naturally with cheerful, heart-pumping music. I’ll be queuing up “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon, “Hot Tonight” by the Tokyo Police Club, and “Honey I’m Good” by Andy Grammar. If you’re a Kelly Clarkson fan, this would be the perfect place for “Heartbeat Song.” Leave me some other playlist ideas in the comments!
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Image sources: Jumping rope by LongitudeLatitude; Amman, Jordan author’s own.