I’ve been doing Zumba for years now. But I’ve only recently started adding in the jumps, instead of doing the low impact alternatives. I just assumed that it was better for me to not jump as I got older. I didn’t want to risk injuring myself. It turns out that I was wrong. So wrong.***
Check Your Ageism
It’s funny how internalized ageism acts on our decisions. I didn’t even question that I would need to do low impact exercises. I just started doing them, assuming that it was better for me. Older people don’t jump! I never saw my parents’ generation jumping or skipping. The other people my age and older in my exercise classes aren’t jumping. I followed their lead and stopping doing the jumping jacks and the side hops and the bounces.
The Skipping Challenge
Last year, there was an online challenge where younger people challenged the older folks in their lives to skip. Before the attempts, the middle-agers all confidently assumed that they could skip. “Of course, I can skip!” However, it had been years since they’d used those skills, (probably not since childhood), and they were astonished to discover that they had lost the ability to skip. I started to question my decision to stop jumping.
Don’t Skip Jumping!
Then, recently I discovered that the opposite is true and that jumping is beneficial. According to research, as we age we ought to be jumping and skipping to keep our bones strong and improve our balance.
“Jumping exercises can be in the form of jumping ropes, jumping jacks, or simply jumping. As we age, we are reluctant to jump because we fear injuries. But, the opposite is true because jumping strengthens your muscles and bones and improves your balance, so the chances of injuries to those who jump daily are less.”*
Never mind the playground
Jumping rope is back in fashion as a great exercise choice for adults. A jump rope is cheap, portable and doesn’t require a costly gym membership. You can pack it in your suitcase when you’re away and use it in any space free of breakable ornaments (always look behind you). It has all the benefits of cardiovascular exercise and the jumping is good for your bones, muscles and your balance.** As with all new exercise at any age, start small:
“Start only with a few jumps initially and gradually increase over time as you develop endurance.”*
I’m Jumping For My Health
As long as I warm up, I jump my way through my Zumba class, and it’s more fun than toning it down. Don’t let your idea of what people “should” do in midlife, limit your abilities. Pop on some Van Halen and you might as well jump!***
What did you learn about yourself when you tried the skipping challenge? Comment below.
*https://myacare.com/blog/the-benefits-of-jumping-for-your-health-as-you-get-older
**https://health.clevelandclinic.org/jump-rope-benefit
*** Disclaimer: I am not a medical, or fitness expert. These are my opinions and should not be taken as medical or health advice.
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