By Noah Pond
When was the last time you skipped somewhere?
Shit’s mad fun – really gets you filled with those OG childhood emotions. Skipping makes you feel like you’re on your way to recess in third grade, about to go undefeated in four-square or tear up the monkey bars.
I know that you’re in college, you’re an adult, and if we were all skipping around campus, it would look ridiculous.
You see, when we grew up, we gave up the playful activity of skipping for a more serious exercise: running. The thing about running is the impact. It’s impossible to avoid because the knee acts as a hinge for the leg, creating a negative impact on the knee and patella. The impact is part of the reason a lot of the running shoes we see coming out these days have insanely thick outsoles and almost look like Balenciagas. What if I told you skipping is better than running?
Researchers at two universities in North Carolina conducted an experiment and found that the peak force of impact is 30% greater in those who run compared to those who skip. Additionally, up to 79% of runners reported that they suffer some kind of injury every year.
I’m someone who has dislocated my knee on multiple occasions, but skipping takes an immense amount of stress off of your knees. If you have knee problems, skipping is the way to go. However, if you have any issues going on with your calves or ankles, you may find some pressure in those areas while skipping.
I just can’t wait until it starts to warm up again, I’ll be skipping everywhere. Just imagine – the warm sun gently toasting your skin while you and your pals skip cheerfully across the beach, skip to the river to skip rocks, or maybe even skip to the lou… skipping could be the move. Not to mention, it is not much harder to skip than walk, yet you get to travel at close to running speeds.
I’m not saying that you should skip to class with your backpack on like a grade schooler, although that would be a riot. I’m saying skip around once in a while. Have some fun with your friends, take some airy leaps and bounds on your way to the farmers market or on your little hikes in the forest. You will thank me and come skipping back, because skipping is just so much fun.