The Best Cheap Workout Equipment, According to Fitness Instructors


If the last time you picked up a jump rope was when you were playing Double-Dutch in middle school, it’s time to reintroduce the versatile tool to your fitness life. “A jump rope will work your endurance and stamina,” says Amanda Kloots, creator and founder of The Rope at Bandier’s Studio B in New York City.

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The Workout:

“Whenever I want a quick, 30-minute workout with my jump rope, I put on six of my favorite songs of varying tempos and practice jumping to the beat of the song,” says Kloots.

Song 1: Pick a song with a tempo around 120 BPM. (Choose from this list of the best workout songs.) Jump nice and easy, getting your heart rate up and your body warm.

Song 2: Lay the rope down vertically and hold a plank, straddling the rope. Bring the right foot to the left, crossing over the rope. Repeat on the opposite side. Do a set of eight on each side, then four, then two, then singles, and repeat for the duration of the song.

Song 3: Back to jumping. This song should be around 135 BPM. Find the tempo and hold the jumps on the beat.

Song 4: Put the rope down again in a vertical position. Stand with legs straddling the rope. Do 16 squats, then bring the feet together and jump over the rope. Repeat until the song ends.

Song 5: Go for a sprint! Get the tempo up to 160 BMP and keep your jumps small so you can go fast.

Song 6: Thirty seconds of jumping followed by a 30-second plank. Repeat for the entire song.

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