Most of us are familiar with the more popular exercise options, including weight training, running, and bicycle riding. Each of these has a unique impact on the body and offers numerous health and fitness benefits.
But, while all of the above activities are beneficial, there is one option that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves: skipping.
To that end, we’ve dedicated this post to skipping, to see what makes the activity so good, and go over the practical benefits you can reap from it.
Let’s dive in.
What is Skipping?
Skipping is a simple activity that burns plenty of calories, raises your heart rate, and improves your health. The objective is to move from foot to foot lightly, often while travelling forward. Alternatively, you can skip in place if you don’t have much room, such as when doing the activity at home.
A considerable benefit of skipping is that it doesn’t stress your joints as some activities do. Plus, you can do it without any equipment. An alternative is to get yourself a jump rope and learn to skip over it.
Jumping rope is beneficial because it improves muscle coordination and can be more engaging because you have a clear objective. You can also use the jump rope to learn tricks and combinations that make your training much more interesting. Skipping with a rope is also great because it looks cool and makes you feel more athletic.
With that out of the way, let’s explore some of the health benefits you can expect from skipping.
Five Of The Most Prominent Skipping Benefits
(Number 4 Will Surprise You!)
1. It Burns Calories and Promotes Weight Loss
According to some alarming statistics, 28% of adults in the UK were obese in 2019, and 36.2% were overweight. Childhood obesity is also going up at alarming rates. Aside from the immeasurable economic costs, the obesity epidemic is also linked to higher cancer rates, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic issues.
A significant reason for the climbing obesity rates worldwide relates to our nutrition. Processed and highly-palatable foods have become more accessible than ever, and countless people base their entire nutrition around them. At the same time, the consumption of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, has gone down. As a result, the average person consumes a lot of calories, which leads to excessive fat gains.
Aside from our nutrition, we’ve also become less active. According to some data, one in three men and nearly half of the adult women in the UK are not active enough to remain healthy.
The great news about skipping is that it promotes physical activity because the activity is accessible and beginner-friendly. You don’t need special skills or a strong fitness base to practice skipping. In fact, you don’t even have to go outside to do it. You can skip at home if you feel self-conscious and reap all of the activity’s benefits.
2. It Strengthens Your Bones
Just as our muscles respond to physical activity, so do our bones. As we exercise, various tissues inside the body respond by growing more resilient. These effects occur as part of the normal adaptations that occur inside the body, making us better able to handle the same stress in the future.
In the case of skipping, the activity strengthens our bones and improves their density, making us more robust and resistant to injuries and fractures.
3. It Improves Your Cardiovascular Health
According to data, one in four deaths in the UK each year is caused by cardiovascular disease. That equals 160,000 deaths annually.
While there could be many reasons for these numbers, two likely contributors are high physical inactivity and obesity rates. As we discussed earlier, 28% of adults were obese in 2019, one in three men aren’t active enough, and one in two women lead a sedentary lifestyle.
The great news is that skipping is one simple and accessible activity you can leverage to tip the scale in your favour. As discussed in an earlier point, skipping promotes weight loss, which positively impacts cardiovascular health and related factors, such as blood cholesterol levels.
4. It Makes You More Productive
Be honest:
How often do you find yourself feeling productive at the start of the day but losing your vigour as the day progresses? The slump catches us at unique times, but it often comes in the early to mid-afternoon, especially after a good-sized meal. What follows is often a difficult few hours where you do your best to focus and remain productive in the face of brain fog and lack of motivation.
Luckily, skipping is the perfect activity to overcome the daily slump, boost your energy levels, and become more productive. As discussed above, you don’t need any equipment to skip, and you can do it at home or in the office.
The next time you feel the slump enveloping you, get up and skip for a few minutes. It doesn’t need to be anything intense because simply getting your blood flowing can be more than enough for you to start feeling energised.
On Your Feet, Britain is an annual initiative that promotes physical activity among people to improve their health and energise their workplace habits. The great news is that you can use skipping to become more active.
5. It Can Have a Positive Impact on Your Mental Health
According to one survey from 2007, one in four people in England suffered from a mental health issue that year. A more recent survey suggests that one in six people in England experience a mental health issue each week. For reference, the country’s population in 2021 was a shade over 58 million, which means that over 10 million people annually are bound to suffer from a mental health issue.
The great news is that physical activity has a profound positive impact on our mental health. Regular exercise reduces the risk of depression, promotes happiness, and allows us to live more fulfilling lives. Skipping for as little as a few minutes per day can help us feel much better and reduce the risk of mental disorders.
Conclusion
Skipping is an often overlooked but beneficial activity we can leverage to reap numerous health benefits and feel better about ourselves. The activity is simple to learn, beginner-friendly, and accessible, as it doesn’t require any equipment or much free space.
If you’re interested in learning more about health and fitness, consider a career in personal training. Our courses can give you the perfect start on a rich and fulfilling journey.
