How to do it:

• Start the motion by pushing back with your legs, pulling back with your arms as you finish the leg push.
  
  
• When you slide forward, let your arms straighten as you bend your knees.
  
  
• Be sure to keep your lower back arched and tight throughout the movement.
  
  
• Do not lean forward excessively.
  
  
• Exhale as you pull and inhale as you go back to the starting position.

• It gives your lower body, upper body and grip work while improving your coordination.
• The heavier the rope, the more intense the workout will be.
• Variations of skipping include two leg, 1 leg (continuous), 1 leg (alternating), moving forward, moving backward, moving sideways, double turns, and crossovers.
  
  
• One of the main problems with skipping is the coordination required. In order to skip, you have to be able swing the rope and jump at the same time. Some people just can't seem to do it.
  
• It is also a fairly high impact activity, which may forbid its use for some people.

• Make sure you get one with independently moving foot pedals and poles on a flywheel (Nordic Track is one of the best).
  
  
• The machines with arm poles and simultaneous forward/back pedals do not provide a natural movement.
  
  
• The better machines have separate resistance controls for upper and lower body.
  
  
• Another good feature is elevation adjustment for skiing uphill.
  
  
• If you've ever cross-country skied, the machines will take some getting used to but the total-body cardio benefits make it worthwhile.

Costs for cardio machines vary greatly according to quality, size, brand name, features, and materials.

The following is an approximate range for a few of the more popular machines.