Over the last few years, research has shown that movement snacks—short bursts of activity done throughout the day—can do wonders for the body and mind. Even just 10 minutes of movement can improve your metabolic health, I Walked in a Weighted Vest For A Week mood.

Burpees: 30 seconds.

The Benefits of a Jump Rope Cardio Workout

slow things down metabolism.

“How to Do Squats Correctly and Variations to Try warmup Treadmill Walking Workouts cross-training workout for runners,” says For starters, doing a jump rope cardio workout improves coordination and boosts., an associate professor of kinesiology at San Francisco State University. “It’s been shown to increase your metabolic rate 10 to 12 times above resting, depending on your cadence, similar to jogging at 6 to 7 miles per hour.”

If you’re short on time, it’s freezing in the winter, or it’s rainy or dark outside, jumping rope is an ideal cardio alternative. “You can jump rope in a small space with minimal equipment, so it’s helpful when the weather’s bad,” Bagley says.

Much like running, the intensity of your jump rope cardio workout is what you make it. “Jumping rope can be just as challenging as running at a fast pace, but you can also slow things down and use it as a warmup,” adds Arnold Gonzalez, a Los Angeles-based professional boxer and group fitness instructor. Gonzalez and other boxers, use jump rope exercises as both a light warmup and an intense cardio finisher.

“How to Do Squats Correctly and Variations to Try calves, hamstrings, and glutes,” Advertisement - Continue Reading Below run faster.

Jump rope: 3 minutes form matters when jumping rope, so before you get started, heed Gonzalez’s training tip: Jump straight up instead of kicking your feet back and stay light on your feet to keep your rhythm going.

Also, because jump rope cardio is a high-impact activity, make sure it’s a safe option for you if you have any joint-related issues or look for softer surfaces to jump on like the turf in a gym. And to get started jumping rope, follow one of Gonzalez’s jump rope cardio workouts below for a cardio blast that just might put your last sprint session to shame.


Workout 1: Beginner-Friendly Jump Rope Cardio Exercises

“This is a full-body jump rope workout for beginners,” Gonzalez says. “The footwork is basic, but you’ll still work your cardio, legs, arms, and core.”

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  • Push-ups: 30 seconds
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  • Mountain climbers: 30 seconds
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  • Burpees: 30 seconds
  • Repeat 1x
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Workout 2: Single-Leg Jump Rope Cardio Exercises

This workout challenges your balance with single-leg intervals and boosts your heart rate with high knees. Perform a quick 5- to 10-minute warmup before you get started.

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  • 10 air squats, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups
  • Jump rope left foot only: 30 seconds
  • 10 plyo squats
  • Jump rope left foot only: 30 seconds
  • 10 push-ups
  • The Best Weighted Jump Ropes for Getting Fit Fast
  • 10 burpees
  • Jump rope (left foot only): 30 seconds
  • Jump rope (right foot only): 30 seconds
  • Jump rope (both feet): 1 minute
  • Repeat 3x
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Workout 3: Advanced Jump Rope Cardio Exercises

The design is simple, but the moves are tough. “Double unders and burpees will really get your heart rate up,” Gonzalez says. Warm up by jumping rope for 3 minutes before you get started.

  • Double under (swing the rope twice per jump): 30 seconds
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  • Repeat 10x
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Headshot of Kiera Carter
Kiera Carter has a decade's worth of experience covering fitness, health, and lifestyle topics for national magazines and websites. In a past life, she was the executive digital editor of Shape and has held staff positions at Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Prevention, and Men’s Health. Her work has been published by Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, and more. She spends her free time boxing, traveling, and watching any movie or show with a strong female lead. She is currently based in New York.