Both ‘jump rope’ and ‘skipping’ are internationally-used terms for the sport we all know and love. The beautiful thing about language is how diverse and colourful it can be.

Neither is right nor wrong. It just depends on where you’re from and who you speak to. Skipping rope is very common in European countries whereas jump rope is more common in the USA and Asian countries.

Jump rope can help you build pretty strong ankles, so it might seem logical to build strength by adding weights to your ankles, right? Unfortunately, this is not only incorrect but it’s also pretty dangerous.

Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Like with bodybuilding, it is a common myth that jump rope can stunt growth.

Jump rope is known for being an excellent way to burn a lot more calories per hour than other forms of cardiovascular exercise. How does it compare to running, though? If your goal is to become a better runner, then no. If you want to improve your cardiovascular strength with the least obstacles, jump rope may prove more effective than running.

Injuries are never fun to deal with. Most of us know how frustrating shin splints can be. When coaching new clients who are just starting, I always reassure them that there are things they can do to avoid injuries, such as shin splints. Prevent is always better than cure.

Before a jump rope workout, it’s important to prime all the muscles in your lower body. This helps warm up the muscles by loosening them up, getting blood into them and reducing the risk of injury.

To appropriately warm up before a jump rope workout, you should perform a low-intensity cardiovascular warm-up for at least five minutes followed by some lower body stretches before your jump rope sessions.

Yes, you can, but not at first. Think about when you signed up at the gym for the first time - you wouldn't do bench presses every day, or you'd injure yourself.

Mats can be helpful for jump rope workouts when jumping on certain surfaces, doing certain skills or if you have an old injury. If you’re prone to shin splints or have another underlying issue that you wish to avoid exacerbating through exercise, a jump rope mat can help.

One of the most common reasons people struggle when learning to jump rope is using a rope that is too long for them. Your rope size is no different to your shoe size, it depends on your body and it should fit you appropriately.

Choosing a suitable jump rope is essential. Different ropes can serve different goals for your learning, workouts and style. Both beaded and PVC ropes have their unique benefits depending on your goals.

Yes! There is a style of jump rope called the Chinese Wheel where two people jump together using two ropes.

As much as some may wish it were true, this is a common myth. Jump rope cannot make you taller.

Jump rope will help you achieve a calorie deficit due to how efficiently it can burn calories. But without a consistent and sustainable caloric deficit, no amount of jump rope (or any form of exercise) will magically melt fat. 

The short answer is, no. Not on its own. Jump rope is known for being an excellent way to burn a lot more calories per hour than other forms of cardiovascular exercise. When you do this, the ab muscles which everyone has will become more visible.

Jump rope is known for being an excellent way to burn a lot more calories per hour than other forms of cardiovascular exercise. Still, fat loss only occurs when a calorie deficit is achieved over a sustained period.

Jump rope cannot build muscle. But it can tone muscle by helping you reduce the fat around the muscles you do have.

One of the best aspects of jump rope is how little space you need! Jump rope can absolutely be done at home such as in your back garden, in your garage or in a spare room.

Yes! A jump rope can be an excellent exercise tool, especially when used in the right way and programmed effectively.