Spring Fitness Going Green

Flab is flab. Stiff joints are still stiff no matter how large or small the bone structure. Flexibility, strength and good circulation keeps everyone in optimal condition. After watching too many advertisements for high priced gym memberships and expensive equipment, an alternative work out had to be presented. This one worked for me. I started jumping rope 6 months before riding through 48 states in 10 days on a motorcycle. Don't laugh. Try it for 2 minutes and see if you have the lung capacity to laugh. Jumping rope is one of the least advertised fitness routines around. Why?

Finances are tough these days. There is no need to trade health and well being for stress and fatigue. A piece of twine will do the trick. Most stores carry a line of jump ropes. The super deluxe high tech variety includes handles with ball bearings and rubber rope. This type retails around $10 regardless of where you shop. It's easy to store. It's easy to stuff in a suitcase. And small enough to stow in a motorcycle side case.

To train for the Iron Butt 4810, I needed strength training, strong legs, strong abdomen and flexibility. I also needed good balance, so I wouldn't turn the bike over. A cancer survivor at a local seminar survived her chemo by jumping rope, when she could for as long as she could. I took her advice and loved the results.

Don't expect a 20 or 30-minute routine in the beginning. If you can jump 3 minutes the first session, you're doing great. That would be 3 minutes and able to breathe when you stop. Work your way slowly to 10 minutes. Shoot for the stars towards 15 minutes. The side effects appear pretty quickly. Toned muscles. Better posture and balance. Good cardio. All this in a few minutes per day for minimum investment.

Environment is important. Jumping on grass is possible and less pounding on joints. Hotel carpet works, but jump only at night if jumping in the hallways. Most hotel gym areas have plenty of jumping room. I've worked up to cement sidewalks because I want my bones to be strong, but I usually take one day between jumps, so I don't get too sore.

Most athletic sneakers are suitable jumping shoes. Some people jump in bare feet. My only problem with the "barefoot" style is the rope stings when it smacks the feet and legs. Rhythm improves at an accelerated rate when you get smacked every time you miss the beat.

Jumping with Border Collies is extremely risky. They tend to want to hog the rope for themselves. Do not ever turn your back on a Border collie while jumping rope. They are agile enough to grab the rope and run with it, adding jolting stress to shoulders, backs, knees and ankles. However, they are good morale boosting jumping buddies if you can train them to jump beside you.

Jumping rope is a family game. Longer ropes make room for more jumpers. Take turns turning. Make up goofy rhymes or borrow some of the old ones. I like this one:

"I am a bard. Jumping in the yard. Don't let the rope. Slap me too hard."

You know you've reached optimal health when you can recite the above rhyme, with a Border collie for 5 minutes. You'll stand taller. Feel stronger. Worry less. For a few minutes a day and 7 foot of rope, the benefits are amazing.