Rope Jumping

An intermediate cardio exercise that works the quads.

Rope Jumping — Starting position Starting position
Rope Jumping — End position End position
Difficulty Intermediate
Type Cardio
Equipment Not specified
Primary Muscle Quads
Logged As Duration

How to Do Rope Jumping

  1. Hold an end of the rope in each hand. Position the rope behind you on the ground. Raise your arms up and turn the rope over your head bringing it down in front of you. When it reaches the ground, jump over it. Find a good turning pace that can be maintained. Different speeds and techniques can be used to introduce variation.
  2. Rope jumping is exciting, challenges your coordination, and requires a lot of energy. A 150 lb person will burn about 350 calories jumping rope for 30 minutes, compared to over 450 calories running.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Rope Jumping does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Rope Jumping

10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.

  1. 1 Elliptical Trainer

    Elliptical Trainer

    An intermediate cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    intermediate Machines
  2. 2 Rowing, Stationary

    Rowing, Stationary

    An intermediate cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    intermediate Machines
  3. 3 Stairmaster

    Stairmaster

    An intermediate cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    intermediate Machines
  4. 4 Step Mill

    Step Mill

    An intermediate cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    intermediate Machines
  5. 5 Skating

    Skating

    An intermediate cardio exercise that works the quads.

    intermediate Not specified
  6. 6 Bicycling, Stationary

    Bicycling, Stationary

    A beginner cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  7. 7 Recumbent Bike

    Recumbent Bike

    A beginner cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  8. 8 Running, Treadmill

    Running, Treadmill

    A beginner cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  9. 9 Walking, Treadmill

    Walking, Treadmill

    A beginner cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  10. 10 Jogging, Treadmill

    Jogging, Treadmill

    A beginner cardio exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    beginner Machines

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do rope jumping work?

Rope Jumping primarily works the quads. The calves and hamstrings assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for rope jumping?

The source dataset does not record equipment for rope jumping. Check the instructions above before you set up.

Rope Jumping: is it suitable for beginners?

Rope Jumping is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.

What can I do instead of rope jumping?

Elliptical Trainer, Rowing, Stationary, Stairmaster train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

How do I log rope jumping in Fitnit?

As a duration. Fitnit logs the session length and counts it toward your weekly activity alongside your strength work.

Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.

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