by Patricia Bunch

Created on: June 08, 2009   Last Updated: June 15, 2009

The clothing one selects for any activity depends largely on the age of the person engaged in the activity. Jumping rope is no different. First let us consider clothing a child needs for jumping rope. There is nothing special needed for this sport other than what a child would wear to ride a bicycle. This is true for either gender. The only thing to consider is baggy pants with large legs would become entangled in the rope and stop the jumping, or cause the jumper to trip and fall, so where a child may be able to wear the baggy styles riding a bicycle, this garment would not be the best selection for the sport of jumping rope.

For a mature adult or youth, any sports wear is suitable for jumping rope. If one is jumping in the privacy of their own home, and is comfortable jumping in underwear, go for it. Young men may enjoy jumping rope with only biker shorts or briefs. This is the choice of the individual.

For older adults, there are other things to consider. Good support for the feet and ankles are needed, so tennis shoes are idea for jumping rope. A good bra is necessary for full figured females for comfort and support , especially when speed jumping or doing any other form of aerobic exercise. Some older adults, again mostly females, have weak bladder muscles and need special undergarments to catch urine leakage when jumping rope. Even when the bladder has just been emptied, with exercise, such as jump rope, or jumping on a trampoline, small amounts of urine leaks, and it is distracting.

Although jumping rope isn't as hard on knee joints and running or jogging, if one has weak knees or ankles, one may be more comfortable and have more endurance with a elastic brace on the affected joint. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any form of exercise if bothered with any type of medical condition.

Cotton fabric is more absorbent and cooler to wear when exercising, so simple tee shirts of cotton and tight pants of cotton are idea outerwear for jumping rope or doing any kind of exercise where one is perspiring. It is easy to launder and feels good to wear and inexpensive to buy. It comes in different weights of knits for different weather if you chose to jump rope indoors or out of doors in cool or warm weather.

When considering what you are going to wear when jumping rope, basically consider comfort and safety. If one is comfortable in little to nothing, go for it. If one needs a sweatsuit, that good too. How wonderful to find a sport where the uniform is so versatile.

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