Favorite childhood activity offers full-body workout, rapid fitness gains

 
Champaign, IL--Jumping rope may be a popular activity on the playground, but this child's play has evolved into one of the most efficient ways to improve cardiovascular health. In the new edition of his popular book Jump Rope Training (Human Kinetics, June 2010), Buddy Lee explains how jump rope training offers functional exercise that can increase fitness and sport performance.

"Many coaches, fitness trainers, and sports and fitness enthusiasts remain unaware of the full potential of this simple but challenging exercise," Lee says. "Rope jumping is one of the few inexpensive, highly portable, and easily learned fitness and sport training exercises that require the precise coordination of several muscle groups."

Improved cardiovascular health and rapid fitness gains have been proven with rope jumping. Research has shown 10 minutes of jumping rope can provide cardiovascular benefits equal to 30 minutes of jogging because the multijoint movements of jumping rope can easily draw on aerobic and anaerobic energy systems in a 10-minute set. As little as five minutes of daily rope jumping can also be enough to quickly raise fitness levels for people who rarely exercise.

Jumping rope requires the integration of multiple muscle groups that quickly improve overall fitness while decreasing the risk of injury caused by a loss of balance. According to Lee, frequent, sustained rope-jumping sessions improve the capacity for dynamic balance-the ability to maintain equilibrium while executing complex, vigorous, and omnidirectional movements. 

"Jump rope sprint training programs can also provide an edge in most sports and dramatically improve performance levels," Lee says. "Jumping rope targets the anaerobic energy system and helps develop speed, quickness, agility, and explosiveness, which are key factors in gaining and sustaining a competitive edge."

By incorporating rope jumping into training sessions, athletes can fine-tune neuromuscular adjustments, synchronize multiple muscle groups, and improve concentration. Increased sport performance has been seen in running endurance, broad-jumping ability, and upper-body strength.

"A jump rope is portable and requires only a small space. When used correctly, it can provide you with significant benefits in weeks or even days," Lee says.

For more information on the second edition of Jump Rope Training or other fitness and sport resources, visit www.HumanKinetics.com or call 800-747-4457.

Jump Rope Training Second Edition
by Buddy Lee
 
Available March 2010 · Paperback · Approx. 208 pp
ISBN 978-0-7360-8159-7 · $18.95 
Ebook ISBN 978-07360-8978-4 · $18.95
 
 
"In Jump Rope Training, Buddy Lee will inspire you to incorporate ropes into your training program. You owe it to yourself to learn what Buddy teaches!"
 
David Weck
Inventor of the BOSU Balance Trainer
 
"Buddy Lee's Jump Rope Training is more than an exercise program that helps increase speed, agility, strength, balance, power, and endurance. It is a comprehensive training system allowing athletes and fitness enthusiasts to take their workouts to the next level."
 
Maureen Hagan
Physiotherapist
VP of Operations, GoodLife Fitness
Director of Education, Can-Fit-Pro
 
"Buddy Lee has created an amazing jump rope system. I recommend Jump Rope Training to all my clients and patients."
 
Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, MPH, CPT
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
ACSM Certified Exercise Specialist
 
"As a cross-training tool, Buddy Lee's program is unsurpassed in developing foot speed, agility, acceleration, and explosive power. No matter what your sport, training with Buddy's system will help you make dynamic strides toward reaching the next level in your preparation."
 
Dan Chandler
Three-Time Olympic Wrestler
Two-Time Coach of U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Buddy Lee is known as one of the world's top experts in jump rope conditioning. He has earned a worldwide reputation with his incredible jump rope skills, putting on 6,000 shows in 50 countries and appearing in TV commercials and talk shows. He has also appeared on CNN Headline News and in Business Week and Parade magazines.
 
Lee is the president and CEO of Jump Rope Tech Technology, Inc., and the leading expert in the field of jump rope training for improved sport performance. He is the co-inventor and patent holder of Buddy Lee Speed Ropes, the ropes used by U.S. Olympic athletes.
 
A retired U.S. Marine and U.S. Olympian in wrestling, Buddy now consults with strength and conditioning coaches worldwide as well as elite athletes from various disciplines. Many fitness organizations, such as CrossFit, TRX, KettleBell, HopSports, and MMA, have integrated Buddy Lee's program into their systems. He lives in Richmond, Virginia.
 
To learn more about Buddy Lee and his training programs, visit www.buddyleejumpropes.com.
 
CONTENTS
 
Part I:  Jump Rope Training Progression
 
Chapter 1:   Introducing the Buddy Lee System
Chapter 2:   Get Ready to Jump
Chapter 3:   Step 1: Base Phase-Master the Basic Techniques
Chapter 4:   Step 2: Conditioning Phase-Develop Jump Skills and Endurance
Chapter 5:   Step 3: Sport Training Phase-Add Anaerobic Intensity
 
Part II: Jump Rope Training Programs
 
Chapter 6:   Build Endurance
Chapter 7:   Increase Speed and Quickness
Chapter 8:   Gain Strength and Power
Chapter 9:   Improve Agility, Coordination, and Balance
Chapter 10: Condition for Specific Sports and Fitness Goals
 
Part III:  Supplemental Uses for Jump Rope Training
 
Chapter 11: Warm-Up, Cool-Down, and Active Rest
Chapter 12: Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Chapter 13: Weight Loss for Athletic Goals