Why is skipping perfect for High Intensity Interval training? - 5 Reasons

Our focus as a company is on the wonderful benefits that skipping brings to the lives of schoolchildren up and down the UK but skipping is also a wonderful exercise for adults too.

In previous posts we have mentioned High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT – this week we want to focus on it and explain why skipping is perfect for it.

In simple terms HIIT involves a period of intense physical activity, then a short rest period and then another period of intense activity followed by another rest period. This is then repeated. One popular approach is called Tabata and is based on 4 minute workouts with 8 x 20 and 8 x 10 second segments of exercise and rest respectively. Dr. Izumi Tabata of Japan created Tabata interval training for his 1996 study published in the Journal of Medicine & Science. Many different exercises can be combined into a HIIT structure to produce a short intense workout and the approach is used by many elite athletes and Hollywood stars.

So why is skipping great for HIIT? Below are 5 reasons.

1. High Intensity - Skipping is a high intensity form of exercise.
2. Variety - There are a variety of skipping exercises that can form the exercise segments of the HIIT structure. Exercises such as: side to side, forward and back, criss-cross feet, heel & toe, running on the spot, double hops, scissors & one foot hops.
3. Easy transitions - Skipping only requires the rope and some space and this makes transitioning from rest to exercise very easy.
4. Full Body Workout - Skipping is a balanced full body workout whereas some HIIT programmes place too much emphasis on one body part.
5. Easy to learn - Skipping is easy to learn and open to all levels of physical ability meaning everyone can benefit from taking part.*

Do you want to incorporate skipping into your HIIT programmes? Visit our skip shop and you’ll soon be able to get started.

Want to book a skipping day for your school? Drop us a line via enquiries@skipping4schools.co.uk or give us a call on 01743 361863 and we will get you booked in.

We hope you have found this information inspirational.

Best regards,

Skipping 4 Schools Team

* If there is any doubt about whether you should be skipping because of prior health concerns please consult with your physician.