Benefits of Skipping?

[MMouse]

Skipping is very benificial to any martial artist or athlete. It is a form of cardio which is always a plus. It can strenghten your legs. As far as the footwork improvement, try not to directly translate the movement into footwork. If I am lifting weights, it will benefit my power, but the movements it benefits will not exactly mimic the exercises I perform. Skipping will increase strength and endurance and give you the ability and practice of moving your feet. Through the use of different ways of skipping, you will strenghten and train muscles to move. It is a tool for training, not the end all answer.

[Billy Bucholtz]

Skipping is not to only improve your cardiovascular fitness and your legs, but it does a lot for your co-ordination as well. I was always told it works best if you run the rope. Also, the point about the bouncing movement you pick up from skipping wasting energy is a good one, the more you move the more energy you're using, but I find it helps with slipping when you keep yourself moving constantly - that may well just be me and I may be weird or wrong, but that's what I find.