Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove
Think jump rope is solely for grade school games during recess? Think again. Amanda Kloots is bringing our favorite childhood activity to adults through her intense workout, The Rope. Amanda founded the class after working as a private trainer and saw how awesome jumping rope can be for cardio, strength training and agility work. She started experimenting on her clients and suddenly realize she had discovered something unique. We can tell you, firsthand, it works! We sat down with Amanda to talk through this amazing workout and its benefits, and how she manages to stay balanced while building The Rope’s future (hint, it involves launching her own jump rope!) Our conversation, below.
A Wild Dove
The Rope is such a kick ass workout. Can you detail the benefits of jumping rope?
A Wild Dove
Jumping rope is literally one of the best exercises one can do! It tones your entire body while torching calories and shrinking body fat! In my class I focus on four themes while jumping - warmup, coordination, endurance, and speed. Warmup works on perfecting your basic jump and getting your heart rate up. In coordination, I add in fancy footwork to connect your brain to your body, which strengthens your brain and helps with agility. Endurance is the third interval. In this sequence I encourage everyone to jump at a certain tempo for a longer period of time to build their endurance. Lastly, we work on speed and stamina by doing sprints. Whether you are a beginner or advanced jumper, you can work on on four themes and you see yourself get better with each class.
A Wild Dove
Your workout seems great for traveling, all you need is the rope! Can you walk us through some exercises we can do when we can't make it to your class?
Amanda Kloots
Absolutely! If you are traveling, a great way to work in The Rope is to focus on intervals:
Begin jumping for two to three minutes and work in some planks to get your core fired up. Grab the rope in both hands and start toning your abs with standing abs leaning left and right, keeping your arms above your head.
Start jumping again for another two to three minutes. Grab your rope above your head and work on some standing lunges pulling the rope down toward your body to get an upper body workout as well! After completing lunges on both right and left sides, begin jumping again for another three minutes.
Throw your rope down on the floor in one line and hold a plank over your rope. Tap your right leg over to your left and then switch to the other side for three counts of eight. Do the same with your hands.
Grab your rope and finish off this mini workout with another few minutes of jumping!
A Wild Dove
What are some tips for keeping good form while jumping rope?
Amanda Kloots
Stay low! You don't need to jump higher than the rope thickness.
Always keep your shoulders over your hips, your hips over your knees, and your knees over your ankles!
Keep your elbows at your waist and your arms in a 90 degree angle.
Make sure your abs are engaged, your glutes are tight, and your knees and feet are together
BREATHE!
A Wild Dove
The Summer Series at the One and Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas sounds heavenly. Can you give us the inside scoop?
Amanda Kloots
This is the ultimate weekend getaway! I cannot say enough about the resort, it is gorgeous and the staff are fabulous. You get three workouts with me, one each morning! You also get a paddleboard lesson, lunches, dinners, and cocktails. The best part is you can get there in two-and-a-half hours and then it's absolute heaven!
A Wild Dove
Sounds it! You must have a crazy schedule, how do you stay balanced? Any rituals you can share?
Amanda Kloots
I have a hard time staying balanced but I do my best. I always take one day off a week where I let my body completely relax. I get medical massages each week and acupuncture when needed. I also am religious about icing my muscles and rolling out with a foam roller!
A Wild Dove
What are the next steps for The Rope?
Amanda Kloots
The next steps are super exciting. I am in the midst of creating my own jump rope!! Stay tuned!
A Wild Dove
Lastly, what makes you fly?
Amanda Kloots
I absolutely love teaching! I get so energized walking into a class and seeing everyone excited to work out. The endorphins after teaching a class that lasts for hours, I can't get enough!