What is skipping?

RUNNEA
Redacción RUNNEA Team
Posted on 03-06-2022

Skipping is surely one of the most common exercises in our training routine and one of the most useful to improve our running technique. It consists of alternately raising the knees above the waist while keeping the hips in an elevated position, supporting only the front part of the foot. We can perform it in a static position or with a smooth run.

Skipping is one of the basic exercises included in the warm-up phase. Through this exercise we will activate our muscles and it will help us to work specifically the coordination of legs and arms. In addition, through this practice we will strengthen the muscles of the lower body.

Skipping: What is it and what is it for?

Skipping is one of the basics in any self-respecting running warm-up. We normally introduce it in the activation phase as it allows us to raise our heart rate, promote blood circulation and get the different muscles of the lower body and arms moving.

It is one of the key exercises to work coordination and plays a leading role in improving running technique. It is performed by alternately raising the knees to the waist, supporting only the front part of the foot and moving the arm opposite to the knee that is raised.

What are the benefits of skipping?

As we have already highlighted above, through this exercise we will work on coordination, activate our body and increase our heart rate. But this exercise is one of the most common when it comes to working on running technique as it is key to:

Increase power.

Through this exercise we will increase the power and speed in the race as we will increase our efficiency. The better our running technique, the more efficient we will be and therefore, the greater our ability to achieve greater speed and power.

Lower body strengthening

While it is true that through this exercise we will work on the coordination between arms and legs, we will greatly strengthen our lower body.

Postural hygiene

Skipping will help us to maintain a proper postural hygiene during the race to be more efficient.

Activation of circulation

The introduction of this type of exercise in the warm-up phase will increase the heart rate and thus promote the activation of the circulation.

In short, skipping is one of the most common exercises in our training routine and one of the most useful for improving our running technique. It has many benefits: activation of the circulation, strengthening of the lower body, improvement of coordination... and you, runner, do you also bet on skipping during your warm-up? We'll read you!

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