Cross-Training Jump Rope Circuit Training Workout to Burn More Calories By Paige Waehner, CPT Paige Waehner, CPT Facebook LinkedIn Paige Waehner is a certified personal trainer, author of the "Guide to Become a Personal Trainer"; and co-author of "The Buzz on Exercise & Fitness." Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 28, 2020 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Heather Black, CPT Reviewed by Heather Black, CPT Heather Black, CPT is a NASM-certified personal trainer and owner of Heather Black Fitness & Nutrition where she offers remote and in-person training and nutrition coaching. Learn about our Review Board Print This jump rope circuit workout includes a mix of both jumping rope and total body strength exercises for a fast-paced, whole-body workout. Jumping rope is an excellent cardio exercise, but it can be tough if you haven't done it in a while. When getting started: Stay on the balls of your feet as you jump.Only jump high enough to clear the rope, and land with the joints soft to protect them.Keep your shoulders relaxed and turn the rope with your wrists, rather than your arms. You should have very little upper body movement.Start slow and be prepared to trip on the rope a few times as you get your rhythm. Jump for a few seconds at a time and add time as you get more comfortable and stronger. You may need to work up to a full minute of jumping. Precautions See your doctor before trying this workout if you have any injuries, illnesses or other conditions. This workout is best for intermediate or advanced exercisers. Overview You will need a jump rope, various weighted dumbbells, and a medicine ball. Modify the workout to fit your fitness level, available equipment, and goals. If you're new to jumping rope, only jump for as long as you can. Finish the minute by marching in place or doing another cardio exercise. How To Make sure you warm up with at least 5 minutes of cardio before you start the workout. Perform the exercises in each circuit one after the other, resting briefly between circuits. Perform each circuit once for a shorter workout, twice for a longer one. Circuit 1 Corey Jenkins / Getty Images Jump Rope 1 minute: Start easy with a slow jump, landing on the balls of the feet. If you haven't already warmed up, alternate jumping for 10 reps and then marching in place for 10 reps. Single Arm Squat and Swing 2 minutes: Hold a heavy weight in your right hand and squat low, swinging the weight between the knees. Stand up, swinging the weight up overhead. Repeat for 60 seconds on the right and then do the move on the left. Your weight should be heavy enough that it's difficult (but not impossible) to complete the entire 2-minute set. Jump Rope: Double Jump 1 minute: Pick up your jump rope and get going on a double jump. That means each time you jump over the rope, you jump twice as the rope makes its way back around. Bear Crawls to Push-Ups 1 minute: Squat down to the floor and walk your hands out until you're in a plank position. Do a push-up on the knees or toes, then walk the hands back to a squat and stand up. Add a jump at the end for more intensity. Repeat for 60 seconds. Jump Rope: Alternating Feet 1 minute: Alternate feet as you jump, just like you're jogging, only you're swinging a jump rope. This is a coordination challenge as well as a cardiovascular one. Squat Press 1 minute: Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold medium or heavy weights over the shoulders. Keeping the abs engaged, bend the knees and lower into a squat, keeping the knees behind the toes and the back straight. Push into the heels to stand up, pressing the weights overhead. Repeat for 60 seconds. Circuit 2 Jump Rope: Speed 1 minute: This jump rope interval is all about speed. How fast can you go? Start slowly and gradually speed up and see how fast you can go for one whole minute. Rear Lunge With Double Arm Row 1 minute: Hold medium-heavy weights and step back with the right leg into a straight-leg lunge. Tip forward from the hips, back flat, and pull the elbows up in a double arm row. Lower, step back to starting position, and repeat for 30 seconds on each side. Jump Rope: Single Leg Double Jumps 1 minute: Start with a regular jump with both feet. Slowly transition into one foot at a time and a double jump. So, jump twice on the left and then twice on the right for one minute. Rear Lunge With Med Ball Touch 1 minute: Hold a medicine ball overhead and step back into a straight leg lunge with the right leg. Swing the leg up into a kick while bringing the medicine ball towards the toe. Repeat for 30 seconds on each side. Circuit 3 Jump Rope 1 minute: This time, do plain old jumps with your jump rope. Go as fast or as slowly as you want. Single Arm Overhead Squat 1 minute: Stand in a wide stance holding light or medium weights. Take the right arm up, letting the left arm hang between the legs. Lower into a squat until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Press back up, keeping the arm up, and repeat for 30 seconds on each side. Jump Rope: Strong and Steady 1 minute: Get into a strong, steady jump rhythm. Try to keep the same pace for the entire minute without tripping over the rope. Hammer Curl Power Squat 1 minute: Hold medium or heavy weights in both hands. Swing the weights back slightly as you squat, powering the weights forward into a hammer curl while squatting as low as you can. Stand up as you lower the weights and repeat for 60 seconds. Jump Rope: Speed 1 minute: For your last jump rope interval, go as fast as you can. Leave nothing on the table, because this is your last cardio segment. Triceps Kickbacks 1 minute: Stand with feet hip-width apart and bend at the waist until your back is parallel to the floor, holding your light or medium weights. Pull the elbows up next to your torso. Keeping elbows static, extend the arms out behind you, contracting the triceps. Lower and repeat for 60 seconds. By Paige Waehner, CPT Paige Waehner is a certified personal trainer, author of the "Guide to Become a Personal Trainer," and co-author of "The Buzz on Exercise & Fitness." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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