This article originally appeared in Well+Good.
Jump ropes have long been a staple on the playground, but as an adult, it’s a good idea to put them at the forefront of your fitness routine—especially if you’re a runner. The two workouts go hand-in-hand for building your best possible cardio routine, and when it comes to choosing between jump rope vs running, you’ll benefit from embracing both.
“I alternate between jumping rope and running, because both are great forms of cardiovascular exercise,” says Joshua Vela, a NASM-certified personal trainer with DailyBurn. While running unquestionably has its fair share of benefits, jumping rope actually offers all of the same benefits… and then some. “Jumping rope and running share the same general goals,” says Vela. He explains that both will help you increase overall longevity, build cardiovascular and mental health, maintain a healthy weight and bone density, reduce risk of disease, and increase oxygenated blood flow to your muscles.
Keep reading to find out why you should add a regular rope session into your routine, plus some fun ways to do it at home.