Jumproping, if done correctly, is an excellent workout. It's basically a simple (or not so...) Plyometric routine. The key is to really go after it, and work on the rebound phase - you want to trigger muscle extension as quickly as possible. It is hard to do for very long if you are doing it right.

Have you ever seen a high-level boxer jump rope? It's pretty amazing. Those guys (and a few women!) have amazing explosive power, and incredible muscle coordination (which jumproping is great for, but doesn't really apply to tri.) I remember watching a really young Mike Tyson jump rope in a training camp film, and it was astonishing. 200 plus pounds, and he had leg speed that would put ANY sprinter to shame...

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It's funny you mention it because I just read somewhere how to incorporate jump roping into tri training. I don't remember the exact workout but it involved alternation biking on the trainer with jump roping followed by running. The point of jumping rope (in this case) to learn to spend as little time on the ground as possible (as you shoud in running) and increase leg turnover.

I can't remember where I read this but if I think of it, I'll re-post.

I find that jumping over rope is easier on a mountain bike than a tri-bike :)

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Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)