It turns out you don’t have to buy that one.  There are lots of jump ropes out that count jumps for under $20.  Most of those ropes also have a timer to count the minutes of jump rope.

This is the $14 jump rope I use and my current top score.  

You might be wondering, why do I want to count jumps?

Reasons you should own a jump rope with a counter

Boredom breaker – Jumping rope like any workout routine that you do regularly can get boring.  I’ve found a few ways to make sure my jump rope workout has variation to keep it exciting.  One of the newest ways I do this is to see how many jumps I can get in a row without missing.  The other way is to learn new tricks regularly.  

It’s Hart to Count – Have you ever tried counting your jumps?  It’s fine up to 50.  After that, I don’t want to count or I can’t count very well.  The jump rope counter makes it so easy to track the number of jumps, so you only have to focus on jumping.  The rope I bought also counts the number of calories (although probably not very accurately).  I like having a goal that I’m trying to get to, first 1000 without missing, now 2000.

Builds Endurance – Do you find yourself taking lots of breaks as you jump rope?  I frequently use a timer to build in breaks, but a rope with a counter helps me build endurance.  It’s a great way to ramp up your endurance.  When I’ve got the timer on I don’t focus on a fast pace, I focus on a consistent pace without missing.  I ONLY do the basic jump with no tricks.  

Builds Your Fitness Level – I always wear a heart rate monitor when I jump rope so I can see what kind of workout I’m getting.  Exercising at a high intensity level is a great way to build fitness.  That means you try to keep your heart rate in the red zone for a certain amount of time.  I talk about heart rate (ADD LINK) in this post. Trying to build up using a counter is an easy way to get there.    

Best Jump Ropes That Count Jumps

I originally tried Crossrope for their heavy jump ropes, which I talk about here.  But their lighter ropes are great addition to your regular everyday ropes.  

They DO make a set of handles that will calculate jumps and pace and time your sets, but the only thing I don’t like is you have to subscribe.  I am tempted, but I hate to buy into subscriptions because I always find that they are a waste of money.  If money were no object, I would buy this rope with a subscription.  Their ropes are HIGH Quality.

I settled for this rope which measures jumps, has a timer and supposedly measures calories.  The advantage of this rope is that the length is adjustable.  That’s one disadvantage of Crossrope, you have to know the size when you purchase it.  

How to Begin Using the Counter

Don’t Use It Every Day – I don’t like to use the rope that counts consecutive jumps in every workout.  I find that if I bring it out once a week it adds almost a competitive twist to my skipping.  It’s a fun way to see if you can beat your own personal best.  

Use a timer with Music – I set some music on my timer that changes songs every minute so I can get an idea of how long I’ve been able to go without seeing the count.  This helps because I just think, one more minute…  I like to use the Seconds fitness app (which is an interval timer that you can customize).  It’s a great app because you can set it to change songs every xx seconds.  

Start Fresh – I only use the counter at the beginning of a workout so that I’m fresh.  I only use it for a short period of time because we all get more tired toward the end of a workout. Keep the duration of your workout short.  

Avoid tricks – I don’t do anything like high knees or double unders when I’m using the counter.  I do a basic single jump or a boxer step at a moderate pace, nothing too fast.  I don’t use a heavy rope, I use a fast rope.  

If you haven’t tried using a rope that counts your jumps, you should give it a try. It’s a great practice to add to your exercise routine.

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this. Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

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Here are 50 ideas for different types of classes you can take as an adult.  To find any of these, search by using the subject + the name of your hometown. It’s easier to meet people if the class meets more than just one time.  

Daniel Bayard Jackson, a professional friendship coach, advises her clients to go three times to an event. This makes it more likely that you can connect with someone because you can bring up something from the prior meeting. She has a handy guide for how to turn acquaintances into friends when you subscribe to her email.

It is possible for online learning or virtual classes to turn into something where you can meet people in person over time.  Building new skills is a great way to have built-in conversation starters because it’s easy to discuss what you’re learning.  I didn’t find any free courses, but I found plenty that are good for older adults.  

You can narrow your search down into day or evening classes.  The basic search formula if you see one that interests you is the subject + class + your city.  You will be amazed at the variety of topics where you can find a class.

1. Ceramics and Pottery: These classes can cover basics like wheel-throwing or hand-building techniques and progress to advanced skills like glazing and firing.  When I looked at what’s offered in Dallas I found a 5-week class, but you can look at pottery stores for this.
2. Photography: There’s so much to learn about photography, from basics to advanced techniques, understanding equipment, lighting, composition, and even photo editing software.  In Dallas I found a Photography studio that offers all kinds of in-person workshops from digital shooting to how to develop your own film.
3. Gardening: Classes can focus on different aspects such as organic gardening, urban gardening, landscape design, or specific types of plants. If this is your area of interest you can find a program to become a Master Gardener or a master composter.  These are pretty in-depth, but a good chance to meet others that like gardening. The course I found is 5-months long and meets once a week.
4. Cooking and Baking: Diverse cuisines, specific cooking techniques, baking, pastry making, wine pairing, and more could all be covered.  If you have a local Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma, they offer cooking classes.  
5. Music: Adults can learn to play a new instrument, take singing lessons, or learn music theory and composition.  The problem is that these types of course offerings is that they are usually one on one with an instructor, which doesn’t usually lead to group discussions.
6. Writing: Creative writing, poetry, scriptwriting, non-fiction writing, or even business writing can all be great creative outlets.  If you are interested in writing a novel there is an annual challenge where you might be able to meet other writers, maybe virtually AT FIRST, and then in person every November.  Check out this article.
7. Dance: Various styles such as ballroom, salsa, ballet, or hip-hop can be enjoyable and also a great way to stay fit while meeting others.  
8. Yoga/Meditation: These classes not only promote physical well-being but also mental health.
9. Language Learning: Learning a new language can be challenging and also a great way to meet new people and the classes are regular.
10. Woodworking or Carpentry: These skills can be therapeutic, creative, and practical around the house.  There is a chain of woodworking shops called Woodcraft, and they teach all kinds of woodworking classes.
11. Knitting and Crochet: These are traditional crafts that are often offered at sewing and fabric stores.
12. Jewelry Making: This can include everything from beading to working with precious metals.
13. Computer Programming: Coding skills can be a useful hobby that can also turn into a profitable side gig.  This might not be the place to meet other 50+ women because, I hate to cling to stereotypes, but this tends to attract a more male crowd.  
14. Bird Watching: Learn about different species, their habits, and habitats. Some classes might even include field trips.
15. Drawing and Sketching: Different from painting but a whole art world unto itself, with many different styles and mediums to explore.  Look for a creative arts center in your town.  In Dallas we have CAC, which has all kinds of classes.
16. Furniture Restoration: This hobby is practical and sustainable, teaching how to give a second life to worn-out furniture.
17. Astronomy: Learning about the stars, constellations, and perhaps even how to use a telescope can be fascinating.
18. Beer and Wine Making: These classes can be fun, and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
19. Calligraphy: An elegant and therapeutic hobby that can be used in many practical ways, like card making or wall art.  There are lots of virtual calligraphy courses, but look for an in person one.
20. Fitness Classes: Beyond traditional gym workouts, adults could explore pilates, martial arts, Zumba, or even circus classes for adults.

If you want to take something a bit more unusual, you might consider these

1. Glass Blowing: This ancient art form can result in beautiful pieces of art and utilitarian pieces alike.
2. Blacksmithing or Bladesmithing: These classes can teach how to forge and shape metal, even creating your own tools or knives.
3. Bookbinding: Learn the process of physically assembling a book from an ordered stack of paper sheets.
4. Perfume Making: Explore the art of creating your own scents with natural and synthetic ingredients.
5. Beekeeping: A class on the care and maintenance of bees can not only be fascinating but can also result in delicious honey.  Did you know that bees can be shipped to you through the mail?
6. Soap or Candle Making: Fun and practical, these classes could also lead to thoughtful homemade gifts.
7. Falconry: While certainly not common, classes to learn about training birds of prey do exist!  In fact, there are charitable organizations devoted to the preservation of birds of prey, which I can be another great way to meet people.
8. Foraging and Wildcrafting: Learn how to safely identify and gather edible plants in the wild.
9. Ice Sculpting: A unique art form that combines physical strength and delicate finesse.  This one is pretty far out there.  
10. Mushroom Cultivation: Growing your own gourmet or medicinal mushrooms is something that is really outside the box.  

My experience taking classes

I tried two classes.  I took a woodworking class.  This turned out to be a terrible place to meet people.  The class was full of men under 40.  I learned alot, but met no one.  

I then took a watercolor painting class.  This class was filled with women my age.  To be fair, I took the class with a friend, which really limits the chance to meet new people.  This class gave me two valuable insights.  First, I really need to take a class that meets more than once to engage with the people in the class.  Second, take the class solo.  

The bottom line is that I didn’t meet anyone, but I need to do a better job of stepping outside my comfort zone.  I think adult education programs are a great way to meet people.  

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How to Find The Right Book Club For You

When you are looking for a book club you should consider these details.  

• Does the book club read books that I like?  Some book clubs read only one type of book, like contemporary fiction or non-fiction.  They will usually give a list of the previous books they’ve read.  Many times they keep reading lists of past and future books.
• How often does the club meet and can you meet the reading requirements? Some have monthly meetings and others meet less frequently, which can make it hard to get to know people in the group.

There are plenty of book clubs around once you start looking.  I think it’s important to go to at least two meetings before you decide if it’s for you.  

How to Find a Book Club

There are so many ways to fiind a local book club (and even more if you want a virtual book club).  These tips are for in-person book clubs only.  

• Go to the local library, look for postings on the bulletin board or ask the library staff
• Check bookclubs.com for meetings in your area
• Ask at local bookstores
• Look in Facebook for groups in your area.  Do a quick search for a Facebook Group using “book club + your city”
• Check Nextdoor app to see if there’s one around you that is taking new members

How to Prepare for Your First Meeting

The first obvious thing to do is to read the book.  I was a little nervous before my first meeting so I also looked at discussion questions in advance.  It’s also helpful to make a few notes about the book.  Things you liked or disliked about it.  Questions you would ask the author if you could.  

I find it harder to flip through a book in a disucssion if it’s an electronic book.  For me notes are important if I read the book on my E-reader.  

It’s common for book clubs to discuss books other than the current selection.  Come with a few book titles that you really liked so you can make book recommendations.   

​Book Club Etiquette

1. Always Read the Book: Unless the group is really just a social club (which can happen), the central point of a book club is to discuss the chosen book. Unless you’ve had an emergency or something unexpected comes up, make sure you’ve read the book before the meeting. You don’t want to be the one person who can’t contribute or who needs the plot explained.

2. Respect Everyone’s Opinions: In any good discussion, there will be varying viewpoints. Some people might love a book that you didn’t enjoy and vice versa. Always respect the opinions of others, even when you disagree. Remember, the goal is not to convince everyone to agree with your perspective, but to share and understand different viewpoints.

3. Avoid Spoilers: If your group reads one book at a time, it’s crucial not to spoil the book for others. If you’re ahead in the book or if you’ve read it before, don’t reveal key plot points that could ruin the experience for others.

4. Contribute to the Conversation: Discussion is a two-way street. Be sure to add your thoughts, ask questions, and engage in the conversation, rather than just listening.

5. Avoid Dominating the Discussion: On the flip side, be careful not to monopolize the conversation. Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. If you’re naturally more talkative, be mindful to make space for quieter members to express their thoughts.

My Personal Experience After Joining Book Clubs

I joined two book clubs in my quest to make new friends after 50.  I enjoyed one of the book clubs, but I haven’t met anyone from the group outside the club.  It takes time to get to know the people enough to do something outside the monthly meeting.  As a result, this method for making friends is not necessarily a quick way to go about it.  

The first group I found was through Facebook groups in my neighborhood.  It was a group that had been established for several years.  I went to two meetings.  

This group was not a good fit for me.  This group did teach me a valuable lesson to look for in future book clubs.  It taught me one thing to look out for.  Does the group do a lot of book talk?  This group didn’t.  

I’m not interested in a new book club where the primary subject of discussion is NOT the book.  This group really loved to talk about politics.  Even if I agree with them, that isn’t what I’m looking for in a book club.  I suspected this might not be a fit for me after the first meeting, but gave it two tries.  

The second one I found on bookclubs.com.  It’s a group that reads only Thrillers.  So far I’ve been enjoying this group, but haven’t made any one-on-one connections.  The group has women of all ages.  The jury is still out on whether this will be a place that I make any new connections.  

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Whatever the reason, I find that it’s not as easy for older adults to make new friends.  I miss being in social circles with people who have similar interests.  I want to have a few golden girls for my golden years.  

More importantly, studies show that people with strong social connections live longer.  All of the social isolation in 2019-2020 is proof that we need close friendships.  A recent study from Michigan State University study finds that friendships are more important the older you get.

I’m going to experiment with finding new friends and report back with helpful tips for each method.  I’m pretty introverted, so this isn’t easy for me.  Think of it as a science experiment.  

I’m going to test out these ways to find new friends.  

Here are 25 of the best ways to make new friendships and meet people.  The first step is to choose just one and do it.  

• Joining a book club:  Book clubs are an easy way to get together with people that you don’t know very well and you have a built-in conversation topic, the book.  You can a book club through your local library or by using this site, which you can sort by genre and location.
• Volunteering: Helping a cause you believe in can bring you close to like-minded people.  I recently found this site that helps you match up your interests and skills with volunteer opportunities.
• Take Classes or Workshops: Whether it’s painting, pottery, woodworking or learning a new language, these classes can be a great place to meet new people and you can learn how to do something new at the same time.  I found a list of 30 ideas for adult classes.
• Online Communities: Joining online groups, forums or communities related to your interests can lead to real life meetups.  I can think of two online groups that I’m in that have in-person social events.  One is a podcast that has a Facebook community.    
• Join Sports Leagues: Participate in sports like pickle ball or bowling.  These sports have leagues based on your skill.  
• Networking Events: Professionally oriented events can lead to personal friendships, too.  This sounds like torture to me, but I will try it.  The best way to find one is to search for “networking group” + your city.  The one I found is also listed in meetup. There are so many meetup groups for all different kinds of interests.
• Running or Walking group: These groups can provide a routine opportunity to find people who are interested in physical health.  It’s easy to talk while you walk (or maybe for some while you run).  Local athletic stores often host these.  In Dallas, there is a store called Run On that organizes group runs and walks.   
• Attending Social Gatherings: Attend parties, barbecues, or other gatherings when invited.  If you are like me, you might be inclined to decline these invites but try going.  
• Religious Institutions: If you’re religious, your place of worship likely has social events or study groups.  A church group is also something where you meet on a regular basis, which helps you by giving you a weekly commitment.  
• Community Gardens:  Depending on where you live, there are often community gardens that you can volunteer in or rent a space in.    
• Hosting a Meetup or Social Event: Have a game night, potluck, or any gathering and ask attendees to bring someone new.
• Coworking Spaces: These spaces often have social events for members.
• Local Festivals or Events: These can provide a shared experience to bond over.  Does you town have a medieval festival or an art festival?  I’m ashamed to say Dallas has both of these, but I never go.  
• Gyms or Fitness Classes: Exercise can provide a routine opportunity to see the same people and strike up conversations.  I’ve belonged to my local YMCA and they have lots of classes and a really non-intimidating environment.  You can visit your local gym for free in most place at least once to see if you like it.  
• Cooking or Wine Tasting Classes: Bond over a shared love of food or drink.
• Concerts or Music Festivals: Shared musical taste can be a great conversation starter, although it can be hard to talk if they are loud.  
• Using Friendship Apps: There are apps designed to help people make new friends.  You might have thought of these just for dating, but they aren’t.  Here’s a list of the ones that are out there.
• Public Speaking Clubs: Organizations like Toastmasters can help you meet others while improving your speaking skills.
• Taking Your Dog to a Dog Park: It’s a great way to strike up a conversation with other dog owners.   You can find people at official dog parks or at local parks.  
• Attending a Book Signing or Lecture: These types of events are usually held at book stores and libraries. There is a program called Arts and Letters Live, which is through the local museum, so museums are good place to look.  
• Farmers’ Markets: These can offer a leisurely, low-pressure environment to strike up conversations.  This sounds like a stretch if you are not one to make long conversations at the grocery store, but at farmer’s markets there are often local vendors selling things they make and they like to talk to people about them.  
• Hobbies and Crafts Fairs: Connect over shared interests or learn a new skill, whether it’s knitting, pottery, or an art class.
• Language Exchange Programs: You can make friends while learning a new language.
• Local Political Groups or Campaigns: If you’re politically inclined, these can be places to meet like-minded people.  This might be last on my list because I’d rather not discuss potentially sensitive topics right off the bat.      
• Take a New Route to Work or Try a New Coffee Shop: Sometimes, changing your routine causes you to run across new people that you’ve never met before.  If you like coffee, try out new coffee shops on the regular.  Mel Robbins just did a podcast about how to meet people in your neighborhood coffee shop. It was really good.

If this list sounds really overwhelming, it does to me too.  I’m a shy person and some of the things on the list are way outside my comfort zone.  

I recently read How to have memorable conversations with new people.  The biggest take away is that all you have to do is ask questions and listen.  You don’t have to make small talk or talk about yourself if you’re curious about someone else.  Interesting people are really interested people.    It seems backward, but it does work.

I’m going to test out each of these and let you know which ones worked best for me.  I’ll also be reporting which of these would work best for someone who is not like me at all (i.e. more of an extrovert).  

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The heel tap is really the combination of two steps: 1.) Kick out and tap heel and 2.) switch feet.

Once you get comfortable doing the heel tap, you can start to jazz it up a little by rotating slightly from side to side.

Facts About Heel Tap

• Difficulty – This skill ranks a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. It requires switching feet, but there are no rope skills required.
• Best Rope – This skill can be done with a PVC rope easily, but you can really do it with a weighted rope too. Since the rope is just doing a standard swing, it’s based on your preference.
• Prerequisites – To be able to do this step you need the basic bounce and to be able to alternate your feet.

Tips and Drills To Learn the Basic Bounce

Tip: The easiest way to get this step is to learn it without the rope. Have some fun and get the steps down before you add in your jump rope. Watch this video for a slow-motion tutorial with and without the rope.

Drill: Try kicking your foot out four times and then tapping your heel four times.

Tip: Keep your elbows pulled in to make the rope less likely to get caught.

Tip: Stay off your heels, keep your weight slightly forward.

Masters of This Skill

If you want to watch jumpers who have mastered this skill check out @pollyjumps.

If you want to see more beginner skills, here’s a list of 21 jump rope skills to learn.

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The perfect jump rope length for you will change over time. As you get better it gets shorter. You can read how to tell the right length for YOUR jump rope.

The way to shorten a jump rope depends on the type of rope you have. There are three basic types: PVC rope, beaded rope and weighted rope. I’ll show you how to shorten each type.

How to Shorten A Beaded Jump Rope

Beaded ropes are the EASY to shorten. There are five steps.

1. Pull the rope out from the end of the handle and untie the knot
2. Remove a few beads, you can always go back and pull more
3. Retie the knot
4. Cut the excess rope
5. Burn the end to prevent it from unraveling

I recommend waiting to cut the rope just in case you went too short. I also like to leave extra rope in the handle because sometimes I lengthen the rope if I’m learning something new.

How to Shorten A Weighted Rope

The only weighted rope I use is the Crossrope. I’ve tried others, you can read about why I prefer these here.

These ropes can not be cut. Their website does an accurate job of estimating which size rope is best for you based on your height. I’ve used an XXS, an XS and a S-sized rope. It’s like Goldilocks and the three bears, one size will be just right. Unfortunately figuring that out can be expensive so use their height suggestion.

If you get a rope that is too long, tie a tight knot close to the handle. This can really hurt when it hits you. If you find the knot is hitting you a lot, try moving it up or down a few inches.

How to Shorten a PVC or Speed Rope

These ropes are easy to shorten. Most brands have a plastic clip that sits down inside the handle. You simply release the clip, move it to the desired spot and put the clip back in place.

I recommend NOT cutting the excess rope right away. I have found that I sometimes go back and lengthen my ropes again if I’m learning a new trick.

I hope this helped to show you how to cut a jump rope to size. If you have a rope that I didn’t cover, please ask in the comments. There are so many jump ropes out there.

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This skill is the combination of two other skills, the high knee and the forward straddle. If you’re following these steps in order then you know both of these. It’s just a matter of putting them together and being able to alternate feet.

Facts About The Forward Shuffle

• Difficulty: This skill ranks a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty.
• Best Rope: The best rope to start with is a beaded rope OR a light weighted rope. These ropes swing a little slower. Once you can get the steps down, it’s fun to do the shuffle faster with a PVC rope.
• Prerequisites: The prerequisites for this skill are high knees and the forward straddle. You have to be able to jump on the same foot twice before switching to the other side.

Tips and Drills To Learn the Shuffle

Learn With No Rope – Learn the footwork without the rope. Don’t just do it in slow motion, really get the footwork down before you add in the jump rope.

Keep Weight Centered – Just like with the forward straddle, try not to shift your weight forward and back. Keep it in the middle over your legs.

Keep Elbows In – You are more likely to get tripped up by the rope if you let your arms and elbows drift away from your sides. There are lots of steps to think about, but make sure you’re thinking about your arms too.

Drills – Try putting a basic bounce between each side. Straddle-knee-bounce and then the other side.

You can see the video tutorial here.

What’s the Difference Between Running Man and Shuffle?

To answer this question I had to seek out the experts, break dance instructors. This video explains the difference.

Basically, they are the same sequence of steps. The difference is which of the two moves you do first. For the running man, you do the straddle first. If you are doing a count of four jumps start with the straddle on count one. For the shuffle you raise your knee on the count of one and then move to the straddle. This is really splitting hairs, but I was curious.

If you have any questions about how to get starting with the shuffle running man, leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help you.

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If you follow @kathyjumps on instagram, I think the forward straddle is her most used footwork. If you don’t follow her you really should. She is the embodiment of someone who really enjoys jumping rope and will absolutely make you want to try.

This skill can be mixed with all kinds of fun arm variations, which we will be getting to next.

What is the forward straddle ?

The forward straddle is a jump where you bring one foot back and the other one forward. It’s kind of like a mini/short lunge. As soon as the rope passes under your feet, you switch legs.

You can see a video demonstrating it here.

You can put a basic bounce in between each leg when you are just getting started.

Difficulty: This skill is a 2 out of 5.

Best Rope: Similar to the side straddle, the ideal rope for this trick is often the longest rope because there is more room for error. It is easy to learn with a PVC rope or a beaded rope. Using a weighted rope can help to slow the rope down, which makes trips easier to get.

Prerequisites: To be able to do the forward straddle you need to be able to do the basic bounce and the side straddle. The straddle and the high knees together make up the shuffle. Once you get both of these, you can start practicing your shuffle forwards and back.

Tips and Drills To Learn the Basic Bounce

Tip: Keep weight centered. There can be a tendency to move forward with your foot, but keep your weight in between the two feet.

Tip: Practice without rope first. To get the feel of this movement it’s much easier to start without a jump rope. When that feels easy, add in your jump rope.

Drill: Now that you’ve got a handful of different jumps you can do, try mixing them up. Do a 4 count or an 8 count of each one and then repeat.

• 4 basic bounce
• 4 boxer steps
• 4 high knees
• 4 side straddle
• 4 forward straddle

Once you have the straddle down you are ready for the shuffle.

Jump rope is a great way to have some fun and get in shape. It can also improve your coordination, agility, and reflexes! The forward straddle jump is the basis for many other tricks with this simple skill. If you are having trouble getting started or want help mastering it, let me know in the comments.

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How wide you can jump your feet out without catching the rope depends on two things. It depends on your form and how long your jump rope is. Read more about how to improve your form for a side straddle below.

Watch a video of the side straddle here.

Facts About Side Straddle

Difficulty: The side straddle jump ranks a 2 out of 5.

Best Rope: The best rope for this skill when you first learn it is the one that is the longest. It is easy to learn with a PVC rope or a beaded rope. If you use a weighted rope to learn it, it helps your rope to go around a little slower, which can make it easier.

Prerequisites: The only skill you need to know to learn the side straddle is the basic bounce.

Tips and Drills To Learn the Side Straddle

Tip: Tighten Your Form – The tighter your form is, the wider you can jump your feet. You can see in the image of me that my elbows are NOT really close to my body. If I want to improve my form (which I do) I will work on pulling those elbows in AND I can jump my feet out farther.

Tip: Don’t look at your feet. Jump your feet together between each open jump

Tip: Practice without the rope. Almost all jump rope skills are easier to learn with your feet first before you add the rope into the mix.

Drill: With all new skills I like to alternate them with the basic bounce. I use either 4 or 10 basic bounces followed by 4 or 10 of the new skill. Counting them out helps me to keep my focus.

Learning jump rope skills can be a great way to get in shape without spending a ton of time, and it’s fun. The side straddle jump is one of the easier jump rope tricks for beginners to learn, but don’t be discouraged if you feel like you’re not doing it right at first!

Check out the tutorial video above for some tips on how to master this form. Once you’ve got your basics down, check out these other jump roping skills: forward straddle, high knees and heel-toe. You’ll find that each has its own set of benefits and challenges. I’m happy to help with any questions or we could do a joint jump.

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Before you can do high knees with a jump rope, you have to be able to do it without the rope. If you have knee or hip problems, this one is higher impact than boxer step or any other skill where you alternate your feet. It uses more core strength because your abs help you to pull your knees up.

If you want to learn the shuffle, this is one of the footwork pieces that goes into the shuffle combination. It’s a fun one and a challenge.

Facts About High Knees Jump Rope

Prerequisites: Before you can do high knees you should master the basic bounce and the alternating foot skills.

Difficulty: This skill is a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. High knees isn’t complicated once you can alternate feet, but because you are raising your knee up to your waist, it’s harder.

Best rope: The best rope to learn this on is the beaded rope. Beaded ropes are not usually as fast as PVC ropes. A slower rope gives you more time to get your knee up high. If you have a Crossrope (1/4 lb or 1/2lb) these ropes spin more slowly because they are heavier, which can make it easier to master new skills.

Tips And Drills For High Knees Jump Rope

Tip: Practice this skill with no rope. Get to a point where you can do 10 alternating knees without the rope before you add a rope in.

Tip: Do one single bounce between each high knee.

Tip: You may get tired of hearing this, but keep your elbows in close to your sides.

Tip: Be sure you are warmed up before you work on this skill. Don’t try it cold.

Drill: Start with 4 basic bounces, then 4 boxer steps and finish with 4 high knees. Then repeat. This one will really get your heart rate pumping.

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