Jump Rope Alternatives

[SummerStriker]

I've been starting my workouts for a while with jump rope and there are some other people who come to sparring that do the same thing.

A friend of mine who wants to come can't (or won't) jump rope. There is an elliptical which is ok, but it is on the far end of the room and I don't think he likes using that to warm up either.

So for 3 rounds or so, what would be a good alternative for him? He isn't very athletic.

March in place with power walking arm motions?

Build up to jog in place?

Is there anything better? I'm afraid that step-ups or something like that would tire him out too fast.

 

[TheeFaulted]

Have him jump without the rope. Eventually he'll get down the timing and be able to start working on jumping rope. When I started boxing I could skip rope either. I just worked on getting two consecutive skips, then three, then four until I could decently skip rope. I'm still not great at it, bit I'm much better and coordinated than I was when I started.

 

[JCRfights]

3 rounds of shadow boxing might work it still wont be as effective as the rope but its still something

 

[DrBdan]

I like the idea of jumping without the rope:



Seriously though that's a good idea. You could also get him to do a simple bodyweight circuit e.g. jumping jacks, jogging on the spot, ski walks/skiers etc. I'm guessing he's a big guy that is out of shape so anything you can think of that gets him moving will be good. Heck even a bit of jogging on the spot followed by dynamic stretching might be enough.

 

[Gfreak]

I'd say shadow boxing assuming that you're talking about warming up for striking training (that's what it sounds like in your OP)

 

[SummerStriker]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll come up with a combination circuit for him and use a bunch of these ideas.

 

[Paedde]

I always get shin splints from jumping rope. Instead I do footwork drills and shadow boxing (can be combined of course) to warm up for striking.

 

[jackjohnson]

Get him to persist and learn to jump rope. I couldn't jump rope when I first started.

 

[TheeFaulted]

I always get shin splints from jumping rope. Instead I do footwork drills and shadow boxing (can be combined of course) to warm up for striking.

Skip rope in the ring.

 

[Paedde]

Skip rope in the ring.

Not to hijack the thread, but what is the actual benefit of skipping apart from warming up/conditioning?

I heard coordination and footwork before, but wouldn't specific drills be better for that?

Just wondering if it's worth the hassle/risk of shin splints to skip or if I can easily work around it.

 

[DrBdan]

Skipping helps with general co-ordination and being light on your feet. Obviously sport-specific drills would be more applicable but as a general warm-up it has more benefits than say, warming up on an elliptical or doing jumping jacks.

 

[TheeFaulted]

If you're skipping on the right floor, there should be no risk of shin splints. We always skip in the ring which is canvas covered wooden floor, and I've neve had an issue from skipping rope.

 

[Endo]

More details on the guy? Sounds like he's either physically challenge from something beyond his control, or he's just overweight. If the latter is the reason, then perhaps you need to get a handle of his dietary habits.

If someone is so overweight that they cannot jump rope, changes in dietary habits are most certainly necessary. Diet > Exercise.