Battle Ropes to get back into shape this New Year

We are all guilty of a little over indulgence during the festive period. It has been estimated that throughout the holiday period the average person gains up to a whooping SEVEN pounds! 

But come January 2014 we will all undoubtedly set our New Year’s resolutions, with getting back into shape being top of the list.

Coming from someone who finds the gym incredibly repetitive and boring, I have impossibly failed year upon year to stick to my new year’s resolution of getting back into shape. 

Many people take the first step of their fitness kick by beginning a gym membership (needless to say this is often as far as people get with their workout plan). After a couple of weeks you’re bored with the gym and as quickly as you began the regime, it has ended.

But don’t give up just yet.. 

A new, exciting way to approach your workout has arrived in the form of Battle Ropes. This exercise technique has been becoming very popular among personal trainers all over the world.

But you don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to use the ropes! Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews has been spotted using Battle Ropes to get back into shape, proving anyone can make use of the ropes.

Spencer Matthews using Battle Ropes at Boot Camp

Men and women of all fitness backgrounds can use the ropes with incredible results. With a range of ropes on the market, including Poly-pro and Manila ropes, there is something to suit everyone. A range in size and diameter mean you can personalise your rope to your fitness level.

The ropes can be used at home; just wrap the rope around a lamppost, basketball goal post or any heavy beam or pole and you can start exercising!

Place the ropes around a pole and pull them toward you. Stand with your feet hip-distance apart and pick up the end of each rope. Bend your knees slightly and you’re ready. Create waves, criss-crosses or pull side to side with your rope.

Using the ropes is a fun and effective way to workout.

• ·         Start off slow then build up the length and frequency of the workout to help you feel comfortable and give you the chance to get used to using your rope.

• ·         Setting targets for yourself is essential and will keep you interested in working out.

• ·         Increasing the number of waves you do with the rope will leave you feeling the benefits that little bit more.

Battling ropes workout the whole of your body making you feel fit and healthy all over.

You can have your own rope to benefit from this fat blasting, fast toning exercise with the click of a button! 

Why spend boring hours in the gym when you can shed your excess Christmas pounds using your own battle rope?

Don’t be afraid to try something new. 

Check out www.exerciseropes.co.uk to buy your brand new rope for your 2014 fitness regime today!

Jump Rope Cardio - the most effective workout?

You may think of jump rope as purely something you would find in the playground. 

But as surprising as it might be, using a jump rope is one of the most effective cardio workouts you can do to increase your level of fitness!

Many top athletes use jump rope as part of their training programme for an intensive workout with maximum benefits.

It is estimated that 10 minutes spent jump roping is as effective as jogging for 30 minutes, so it is great for those of you with a busy schedule.

Jump rope is inexpensive. Once you have purchased your rope you have easy access to a great workout. The ropes can last for years, if not decades, so there is no need to go to the gym!

Jump rope is an effective workout for the whole body and that’s why these ropes are increasing in popularity. You can sculpt your legs, chest, arms and shoulders with results being seen even with only a 10 minute workout per day.

You can gradually increase your workout to incorporate more turns or tricks, keeping exercising interesting.

There are plenty of reasons why you should get your own jump rope,

•  Exercise anywhere - be it outside or inside

• Portable - It is compact and easy to transport if needed

• Effective -You can build your agility and fitness level fast

• Fat loss - as you are using such a wide range of muscles

• Strength – evidence shows regular jumping builds bone mineral density

Jumping rope can improve your speed, balance and coordination as well as improving your general fitness.

You can also get other family members involved as jump rope is accessible for everyone of different fitness levels. 

Ropes made of Polypro or Manila rope, commonly used for battling ropes, are recommended due to their durability for use long term.

At a time of year when we all like to indulge, purchasing your own jump rope may be a good place to start getting back into shape.

Keep fit during the festive season!

Visit www.exerciseropes.co.uk to purchase your very own jump rope today. 

Battle Ropes proven to increase your sit-up and push-up counts!

Battle Ropes proven to increase your sit-up and push-up counts!

The latest scientific research on Battling ropes from the University of the Windsor, Canada has shown quarter hour sessions using battle ropes once every 2 days can increase maximum push-up count by an average of 24% within a month with many results being significantly higher.

Among 30 people trialled (with a 50-50 male female split) aged 20-30 years old and average levels of fitness all subjects also showed improvement of maximum number of sit-ups (between 6-10% improvement) achieved before fatigue. Research suggests men could improve their sit-up maximums using a heavier rope than supplied in the tests.

The men were given ropes measuring approximately 15m x 40mm Diameter. Women used 10m x 40mm Diameter rope. The ropes were around 12 and 9 kgs respectively this weight range is equivalent to natural fibres such as manila or hemp.

The subjects were tasked to carryout 30-second, high-intensity bouts of alternate and parallel whipping exercises with 1-minute rests between repeating 10 times.

Colin McAuslan the head of the study suggests the biggest improvements cane be seen by starting with shorter, thinner ropes, but keep shifting to longer, heavier ropes as you improve. Increasing the intensity and the exercise vs. rest rates until fatigue can help improvements over time.

Other studies show the benefits of battle ropes including huge boosts in metabolic rate. The University of Minnesota Duluth attributes this to “an acute 10-minute bout of rope training is a vigorous-intensity workout, resulting in high heart rates and energy expenditure.”

Now that the long known benefits of battling ropes are being quantified, this dynamic exercise should be a crucial part of your gym routine, personal training or crossfit setup.