by Debby Dyess

Created on: June 03, 2009   Last Updated: June 04, 2009

Jumping rope is a fun and entertaining way to relax, exercise and 'find your inner child'. In the old days, it didn't seem to matter what we wore to jump; anything we were in was the right thing to wear. But now, years later, we have different goals, different levels of endurance and, alas, different bodies. So what is the best thing to wear to jump rope?

Outer wear

Non-constrictive, well-fitting clothing is best to wear when you exercise with a jump rope. Take into consideration the season, whether you're jumping indoors or out, and what is comfortable for you. A sweat suit in the winter is great, and exercise shorts and shirt are good in warmer weather.

Inner wear

Okay, ladies, repeat after me: sports bra, sports bra, sports bra! They are not the most comfortable thing to wear, don't accentuate the right parts of our bodies and are never anyone's favorite thing to wear, but they serve an important purpose. But your doctor will probably be the first to tell you that exercising without a sports bra can cause damage to your breasts - not just chaffing and soreness but permanent damage to the skin and connective tissue in the breast. They break down over time, causing irreversible sagging to occur. Choose a well-fitting sports bra. For more information, check out http://www.beyondjane.com/Fashion/The-Point-of-the-S ports-Bra.218901

Shoes

When 'tennis shoes' first arrived on the scene, they were a generic, all -encompassing shoe. Now, however, sports shoes are broken into categories more specific to what you'll be doing wile wearing them. Running shoes are not the best shoe for walking, walking shoes are not the best shoes for playing sports and the whole thing can get a bit confusing. If you're really serious about jumping rope as part of a fitness routine, check out your shoes. The wrong choice of shoes can lead to problems with arches, Achilles tendon and leg cramping. The right choice of shoes gives you stability and support. Even though jumping rope is a low-impact workout, and feet should barely leave the floor as you jump, they really do take the brunt of the exercise. Good aerobic shoes or cross-trainers are recommended for maximum support and comfort. Even with the right shoes, jump on a padded area, such as a carpet or mat, to reduce wear and tear to feet and joints.

Jumping rope is great exercise, with minimal investment and wonderful benefits. With just a couple of additions to your wardrobe, you're ready to begin. So don those sports bras, ladies, pull on comfortable clothing and aerobic shoes and jump!

Learn more about this author, Debby Dyess.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.