So you thought your days of recess and after-school socializing were over? Well you were right; those days are long gone. But thanks to one brilliant teacher named Tim Haft and his brainchild, Punk Rope–a jump rope-intensive workout–there’s a way you can fondly reminisce on days of jailbreak while getting in shape, celebrating rock ‘n’ roll and burn calories without dread.
Yoga and Pilates have been all-the-rage for a while now and are great workouts in their own rights, but Punk Rope is the answer to those who want something other than yogalates to get in shape. Haft gave the fitness world something different when he combined his two passions–punk music and jump rope–to design a totally innovative, creative and punked-out way of incinerating calories and getting a significant core work out. You might not even realize how hard you’re working thanks to the childish nature of the exercises and the lively beats from bands like Greenday, The Bouncing Souls and Social Distortion.
Punk Rope focuses on community, fun, fitness and rock ‘n’ roll. Conditioning drills disguised as teamwork-dependent, playground games allow for a playful bond among classmates. It’s pretty much guaranteed that Pilates can’t make you laugh as much as crab-walking or relay races can. When’s the last time you even smiled during a workout? If you can’t answer that question, it may be time to dig up your old jump rope.
Punk Rope can help you get back your youthful playground days without having to pay thousand of dollars in extensive therapy. It is designed to be as easy or as hard as you’d like, and the playful nature of the class will allow you to check your inhibitions at the door. The woefully out of shape are more than welcome and will feel at ease. Couch potatoes who want to blast through their sedentary lifestyle can laugh and play their way into shape with this program. All you need is a sense of humor and a jump rope.
Each class has a theme.You may arrive to class to see men dressed in preppy shirts and ties and women dressed in Catholic school girl gear, all with a jump rope in hand. Tunes like “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper and “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” by the Ramones will play as you hike up your heart rate with six intervals of jumping rope alternated with creative playground games like “Stop Drop and Rock and Roll”, where you’ll take a break from jumping during the chorus of one song, drop to the floor on your stomach, hop up on your knees for air guitar and then roll to the left. Or Art Class Relay, a drill that involves sprinting, fast drawing, and a whole lot of laughter when you see the mess your team comes up with.
Philadelphia is just as in tune with our fitness culture as NYC, Boston and LA, but we haven’t seen even close to as much of the Punk Rope movement around our city. If you’re looking for something different, or if you want to get in shape and enjoy rock ‘n’ roll fueled work-outs, this is the fitness craze to adopt. Punk Rope is the future of an ever-growing American fitness effort, but Philly won’t benefit until some of us step up to teach the class and spread the word.
Interested? Couch potatoes, pogoing punks, gym rats, gym owners, schools, fitness instructors and concerned parents who think they’d like Punk Rope classes in Philadelphia should contact class creator, Tim Haft at tim@punkrope.com or 646-654-0668.
AroundPhilly Staff
