Why you should 'jump'
The idea of ‘jumping’
When I they say ‘Jump’ I want you to say ‘How High?’
Not because you are a simple follower who does what they’re told. But because you desire to prove yourself as capable and dynamic.
There’s a strange reality to getting older and finding your way in fitness, the more you protect yourself from the extremes the more susceptible you are to becoming injured due to neglecting them.
Take jumping for example. When was the last time you jumped?
I’m always reminded of this sage wisdom from one of my fitness heroes, @GuruAnaerobic (His social media handle, Mark Baker is his name). His post above is more a clarion call on philosophy as much as it is sound fitness advice.
Jumping is more a leap of faith. That you can explode away from the ground and then find a safe way back. It’s an expression of ‘limitlessness’ or at least a temporary experience of it before the limits re-emerge and bring you back towards the ground.
When it comes to fitness, start thinking about jumping both literally and figuratively.
From idea to action
I got to thinking about the idea of jumping while I was jumping rope last week in front of my house.
I’ve been using weighted jump ropes for the past 10 years as a core part of my cross training. But it wasn’t something an expert trainer put on my plan or that I purposefully added into my routine based on the latest exercise science, instead it was the result of taking a ‘jump’ in my own creativity when it came to my fitness.
I remember it well. I had been trail running for about 2 years and had just gotten a new drum kit for my 30th birthday. I started to play around on the kit and quickly found my limits, weak calves and hands. After 5 minutes of playing I’d have to take a break, I was also gassed. More cardio too.
I decided to look for a way to train all of the above. It needed to fit in with my burgeoning training style: At-home, 30 minutes or less, full body aimed, cross training for the activities I loved (trail running, drumming).
So I took a ‘jump’ and decided to give jump rope a try. I found weighted jump ropes and they seemed to hit all the things I was looking for.
10 years later and they are my favorite piece of exercise equipment outside of my trail running shoes.
There’s lots of good training reasons why, but most of all I just love jumping. It’s fun and effective. After 20 minutes of solid work I’ve burned a ton of calories, can feel the burn in all the right places, and always have a smile on my face. The time goes quickly. The work compounds.
What mattered most was that initial jump, to try something new, based on my own idea of what I wanted, what I could realistically do, and what I felt interest in exploring.
Time To Start jumping
I want to give two pieces of advice in this article. One is practical and the other conceptual.
First the practical. If you want to start jumping rope do this:
1.Buy a cheap rope and practice your basic bounce
Start slow and try jumping 10 times unbroken
Once you can do that move to 20 times
Jump for 5-10 minutes each session
Do this for 1-2 weeks
2.Invest in quality if you like it
If you like jumping take it to the next level
Buy a high quality rope (I like Crossrope)
Experiment with different weights and style of jumping
3.Explore the variety of steps and programs
Branch out and try new and more challenging steps
Get creative with traditional style workouts (AMRAP/EMOM/Tabata, etc…)
Mix in bodyweight exercises to create killer workouts in 30 minutes or less
These 3 steps will give you a good foundation to become a jumping master in a few months. If you have any questions or want some more specific advice use the ‘Send Me a Message’ button below or leave a reply in the comments and I’ll hook you up.
Now on the the second piece of advice; How to conceptualize the ‘jump’
This is about unleashing creativity and pushing to the extremes. Think of jumping as ‘taking a leap of faith’ and betting on yourself to ‘figure out how to land safely’
In trail running this often happens when you’re running fast and have to make a split second decision about ‘jumping’ the rocks or roots right in front of you. Then in mid air you figure out where to safely plant your feet and keep moving forward without missing a step.
When it comes to your fitness, the ‘jump’ is your willingness to experiment, be curious, apply an adventurous spirit, see where creativity can take you.
Just like I put together a bunch of variables and came up with jump rope as a possible answer it’s up to you to open yourself up to new possibilities and activities.
This is how we start to let our spirits guide us through exercise as opposed to the mind.
If you stop taking little risks, by extending your capacity, and reaching towards the margins you will lose that ability over time. Just like not jumping physically will take you away from robust physical health, not jumping conceptually makes you settle and take the easy road until you become allergic to new challenge.
This idea of the ‘conceptual jump’ and how to make it real through exercise forms the core of my coaching. It’s helped my clients not only find consistent progress and enjoyment in exercise but how to leverage that courage to take more ‘jumps’ in their lives. Starting businesses, moving out of bad living situations, placing more emphasis on family time and quality of life, and a variety of other big time life moves.
If you’re interested in how this approach can work for you, send me a message and let’s chat to see if my coaching would be a good fit to help you take more ‘jumps’ both literally and figuratively in your life.
So take the JUMP more often.
Start in fitness.
Work your way out.
Happy Training Friends