No desire to exercise? This ‘100-jump’ trick works like crazy
If there is one thing I recognize, it is having no desire to exercise. Yes, some of us are just not made for it. After a round of running I am out of breath and one hour in the gym is really enough for me. Oh, and doing a team sport with a few others, like padel or squash? That is my biggest nightmare. Nope. You won't see me running a marathon, but to be honest: I need to move more and you probably do too. I'm looking for something that is easy and for which I don't need the discipline of a 17-year-old girl trying to score that new Cherry water bottle during a Cabau sale. Science has something for that now: just jump 100 times a day for 100 days. Why that works so well, I will explain to you now.
How the ‘100-jump’ trick works
Now I can hear you thinking: “Laudonne. We were supposed to do something easier? Why do I suddenly have to do 100 acrobatic feats?” But don't worry: you don't have to do a split jump. That's the nice thing about this challenge: it's very simple. You don't need to buy an expensive app that tells you how to do it. All you have to do is jump up and down. … And stick with it for 100 days, then.
And before you hit the fast track: this really doesn't have to be at the speed of light. You can just jump up and down calmly, you don't even have to bend your legs. That's exactly why this is a trick you can stick with: you can do it at home in your pajamas. While brushing your teeth, while your bread is toasting, or during your dog's regular morning routine. Willpower is important, but it doesn't take much effort. So it's an exercise that even we have the discipline for.
Why this simple exercise is super good for you
That sounds fantastic, such a super exercise that you don't have to do a extensive workout for, but yeah… How does that actually work? How can something so simple be so good for your health? It actually works like a superfood: this movement is good for a whole lot of things.0
According to doctor Vijay Vendra Prakash is, to begin with, good for your bones. Every time you jump up and down, your feet hit the ground. The impact of that thud sends a shock through you, from head to toe. Just like an electric pulse, the body responds to that. It stimulates your bones to form new bone tissue. So your bones get stronger with every jump. That is very good for you in the long run. It is also the case that the muscles in your calves work extra hard because of all those jumps you make. That makes sense, but that effort means more than just training your muscles. When your blood flows down due to gravity, a pump in the calves ensures that this blood is pumped back up towards your heart. The better those muscles work there, the better your heart and lymphatic system work.
Besides your bones and heart, this workout is also good for something else: it is your personal adrenaline factory. By moving so much in a short time, your body thinks you are walking in the jungle and suddenly being chased by a tiger. You need adrenaline to run away, so it is produced extra. That hormone gives you an energy boost that you can use well for the rest of the day. Furthermore, after building such a healthy routine for yourself for a hundred days, you will really start to live healthier. It may be small, but a few of those jumps while brushing your teeth can really work wonders. Just be careful before you suddenly start signing up for a Hyrox.
So you really don't have to be a sporty influencer to start living healthier. Start with those jumps and the rest will follow. If this can motivate me to get off the couch, then you know it really helps. Happy exercising.
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Image: osullliv
