JUMP ROPES
The expert: Buddy Lee, founder of The Jump Rope InstituteSimple and yet oh-so efficient: Just 10 minutes of jumping rope can provide the same cardio benefits as 30 minutes of running, two sets of tennis, or 45 minutes of racquetball, says Lee. It also shores up your entire kinetic chain (your body's interconnected system of muscles, joints, and tendons), starting with your feet and ankles, to build the functional strength needed for day-to-day tasks such as carrying heavy bags.
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Do It Right
1. Size yourself up. Stand on the center of a rope and pull the handles up—they should reach the top of your shoulders. More advanced jumpers can choose a slightly shorter rope (where the handles extend to your armpits).2. Grab a hold. Pinch the handles with your thumb and index finger, then wrap your hands around them with your thumbs on top. Keep your hands relaxed and parallel to the ground at waist height. From that position, make small, quarter-size circles with your wrists.
3. Land softly. After each jump, land lightly on the balls of your feet; your heels should only skim the ground between hops.
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4. Look ahead. Focus on an object in front of you at eye level instead of looking down at your feet.