Z+ (content subject to approval); Skipping rope: Why skipping rope is the perfect workout

You're about to discover that skipping rope can be more effective than jogging, not only for the body but also for the brain. It may seem incredible, but skipping rope – that childhood game that many of us gave up in elementary school – is actually one of the most comprehensive and underrated forms of exercise out there. Not only does it make 200-pound professional boxers break a sweat and move as lightly as butterflies, but it can also transform those who consider themselves mere weekend warriors. Take Lars Donath, a sports science expert at the Sporthochschule in Cologne: he says that skipping rope is one of the most challenging, integrated, and complex forms of endurance training you can do. And in some ways, it even outperforms running. Think about it: Aboriginal peoples were already jumping ropes made from vines, and in China, rope skipping was a New Year’s ritual to symbolize the transition from one year to the next. But for centuries, in the West, it was relegated to the role of a backyard pastime. Now, science is saying that we have always underestimated this exercise. For example, a recent study shows that ten minutes of rope jumping provides as much cardiovascular training as half an hour of jogging. And it’s not just about stamina: the coordination required to synchronize hands and feet, the speed of decision-making, and balance stimulate the brain, keeping it active and flexible even as we age. There’s a story about a coach who, after a back injury, had to give up running and found that skipping rope not only allowed him to train without pain, but also improved his concentration and mood. And you don’t have to be an athlete: anyone can learn to jump rope, regardless of age or fitness level. What no one mentions is that skipping rope trains the brain more than the muscles. Most people think it's just a way to burn calories, but in reality, it's like a moving puzzle that also keeps your neurons young. Working out with a jump rope is like giving your body a wake-up call and your mind a refresh, all in ten minutes. Skipping rope isn’t just a kids’ sport: it’s the most comprehensive and accessible workout you can do anywhere, even in your living room. If this idea blew your mind, on Lara Notes you can select I'm In: it's not a 'like'; it's your way of saying that this perspective now belongs to you. And if you tell someone tonight that skipping rope is also better for the brain than jogging, on Lara Notes you can mark the conversation with Shared Offline—so you have a record of the ideas that make a difference. This insight comes from DIE ZEIT and has saved you several minutes compared to the original article.