Burning calories or losing weight is not a simple thing to do but it seems it's more difficult to stick to a program and just do it until we can see some results. That's why I believe the best cardio workout is the one you will stick with for a longer period.

Jumping rope is one of the simplest things you can do, without gym memberships or expensive "home friendly" fitness machines. Still, it's the most effective exercises one can do. In just 15 to 20 minutes, jumping rope will give you an unparalleled total body workout. Jumping rope is great for cardiovascular endurance and enhances performance in virtually any sport - climbing, tennis, basketball, soccer, skiing, volleyball and any other preliminary cardio sport. This simple exercise is also great for eye-hand coordination, lateral movement, foot and hand speed and agility.

While it might silly to start, once you do it you will see that it's not as easy as it seems. Jumping coordination part will be managed in couple of minutes, but even in those first 3 minutes one will learn why this is such a perfect burn calories exercise. Light calves tightening, heavy breathing and sweating is quite normal for every beginner. But as with any other fat burning program you have to give your best to stick with it. At first, 10min workout might be the best you can do, but in a single week you might come to a 30min jumping workout session.

As with any other cardio workout, our bodies will first consume energy kept in our blood. During easy jogging that might take up to 20 mins of jogging, so you must know that fat burning only starts to occur sometime after 30-45 min of active cardio workout. That is why you shouldn't fall for good marketing messages saying that you can burn calories with only 5min a day workout, sitting and watching your favorite TV show.

Great thing about jumping rope is that is burns more calories then regular jogging in the same amount of time. Just be careful to start easy, and pace it to your own abilities. If you are heavily overweight you might need to consult your doctor before you start so that your joints don't suffer any possible damage.