Jumping over 60-Tim's story

Punk Rope founder, Tim Haft, dishes on his jump rope journey with a particular focus on the adjustments he's had to make at age 62. Most of the modifications are due to a slew of injuries as well as general wear and tear.
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Hop on,
Tim & Shana

[@CT-pv9gu]

You look really good for someone over 60! And it’s good to finally see you jump rope!

[@PunkRopeNYC]

thank you!

[@TMOC1977]

I really enjoy your videos so much and get so much from them. I think that a benefit that wasn't mentioned is how youthful you both are. I never would have guessed your ages.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Aw that’s very kind of you! We’d like to attribute our youthful appearance to jump rope but all the credit goes to Photoshop. Just kidding! I think it also helps to have friends of all ages.

[@lv2keepfit493]

Keep on going Tim! You're doing a great job and I also feel your pain with my limitations but I won't stop because it's the worst thing for us to do. Fitness is awesome! Keep up the great videos you two :)

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Never ever give up! That's our mantra :-)

[@lauraa2877]

Tim looks fit and youthful! Way to go on finding ways to keep jumping in your life.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

you're too kind! thank you!

[@brucewells6823]

Ah, ya whippersnapper! I'm almost 72 and still trying to improve my ability to skip rope. My major problem is I'm a bit uncoordinated and routinely trip on the rope. I get my ropes from you guys (my go to rope is The Beast) and appreciate all the guides you post here.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Hi Bruce! Feel free to post a video of yourself jumping so we can take a look. As to the Beast, I think we’ll probably put it to bed soon so if you want a backup now is probably the time to get one. Have you tried jumping to a song with a steady beat that you know really well? Sometimes that can help…but it needs to be at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

[@brucewells6823]

@@PunkRopeNYC Hello, and thank you for the offer to help and your other suggestions. I'll see if I can get my wife to record a jumping session. Alternatively, I might try to come to Brooklyn for a class (I live in Queens.) Thank you guys again for all the help you give to prospective jumpers.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

@@brucewells6823 that sounds great! also for the next few weeks our class is on Friday night in Chinatown and then we hope to transition to Wednesday nights on May 17. We’re still looking for a location. On Sunday, May 7 we’re doing a 1pm class at Sunnyside Gardens Park, weather permitting.

[@douglasjenkins6991]

Try a 1 pound rope, and your coordination will get better.

[@douglasjenkins6991]

It seems Tim has one in the video

[@drainbugs]

Tim still kicking it (“jumping it”?) at any age! 👏

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Haha! I think the only thing I'm kicking is the bucket 🙂

[@DB-CA]

Thanks

[@HanyH]

Another great video. Relatable, insightful, and interesting. Keep it up!

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Thanks so much Hany! Hoping we get to meet you at the Punk Rope Games…Sept 23 in Coney Island 😀

[@HanyH]

@@PunkRopeNYC oh, wow! I see that you've determined the date for this year! I'm about to look at a calendar and see what that means for me! I'll be in touch! 🙌🏽

[@PunkRopeNYC]

@@HanyH we're keeping our fingers crossed.

[@kfresh9141]

"Wonky", is that a special medical term? This is a nice video, but what you rarely hear about is the charitable work that Punk Rope is involved with. Go Tim, Go!

[@PunkRopeNYC]

The full term is wonkymatic but we figured we can be casual among friends! Thank you for the shout out about our charitable work. We actually just did a pro bono class for a group of women at Temple University in Philly and have another one coming up soon.

[@KHK360]

Great Video Tim! Loved the previous video on Shana also 👍 Great agility and grace at this age 💪 Btw, Loved the colour match between the shoe and the handle of the rope 👌 Best wishes to both of you 👍

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Thank you so much! I promise the color matching was a mere coincidence. Thank you for watching and for the kind words.

[@12oldman]

Perhaps, one day you could one day address jumping with a torn rotator cuff? Due to a previous injury I actually tore mine jumping rope. I opted to go the physical therapy route because doctors wanted to replace my shoulder which I am not willing to do. I’m actually doing fairly well after the pt but would still seek advice on how to get back to jumping. By the way, I’m 73.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Hi Tim! So sorry to hear about your tear. I’ve torn mine in the past. The rotator cuff, as you know, is very intricate and complex. I think we’d be a little out of our league attempting to tackle this topic, but one thing is certain: the more you rely on your wrists to accomplish the turn of the rope the less stress you place on your shoulders. I currently have a rotator cuff strain on my left side but while jumping rope I barely feel it at all. Keep practicing your wrist rotation!

[@12oldman]

@@PunkRopeNYC actually I agree that’s the puzzling thing. I learned early on to rely on my wrists. I could jump without hardly any shoulder action. The only thing I can think of is that I injured that shoulder years ago and it finally gave up the ghost. Thank you anyway.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

@@12oldman The shoulder joint is one of the worst designed in the entire body. It take a beating! So very possible that general wear and tear did yours in. Probably worth seeing a physical therapist if that's an option.

[@12oldman]

@@PunkRopeNYC actually after one Dr. Suggested shoulder replacement and another Dr. Thought that was not needed but suggested physical therapy, I did go that route and very glad I did. However simply thought someone who jumped rope might be able to suggest some specific things that could be done for a jump roper.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

@@12oldman Wish I could Tim but not knowing anything about your injury, training habits, or jumping style that would be highly irresponsible of me. I do my best to stay within my scope of practice.

[@RobertsBulgaria]

May I ask HOW this 'slew' of injuries occurred as it is surely not down to your age alone? I found the content a little disconcerting as being 69 and trying to gain more strength, stamina and mobility, the very last thing I need is any form of muscle tear or rupture. Thank you and one year after posting, how is your recovery going?

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Of course! Nothing to do with age…the hamstring tear was from diving in pickleball, the torn meniscus was from wrestling, the torn rotator cuff was from helping a stranger lift a heavy mattress on to the roof of their car. I typically get hurt playing a sport the way I played in my 20s. Just jumping rope is incredibly safe. The main concern would be feet, ankles, and knees…having the strength to land well and absorb impact. I’m doing well. Thanks for asking. Since I didn’t have surgery to repair my torn hamstring I’m no longer able to sprint and I probably shouldn’t return to wrestling but if I’m smart I can do most activities.

[@RobertsBulgaria]

@@PunkRopeNYC That explains it - thank you for taking the time to put my mind at ease. They do say that 'You're Never Too Old', but I think wrestling with my bed sheets is as much as I would wish to risk. 😉

[@PunkRopeNYC]

@@RobertsBulgaria haha, bedsheets can be a formidable foe. They account for 50% of deaths in the 70+ population 🙂

[@KevinSmith-rd4ex]

Were these injuries due to jumping rope?

[@PunkRopeNYC]

absolutely not

[@KevinSmith-rd4ex]

@@PunkRopeNYC Thanks for the response. I'm 49 and have been jumping rope consistently for four months now. I found I had to begin slowly and listen to my body, right now I can't jump rope everyday, I jump rope every other day with 15 intervals of one minute with 30 seconds rest. I will continue to add intervals and tricks slowly...such a great exercise.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

@@KevinSmith-rd4exyou’re going about it the smart way. Always listen to your body and increase volume and/or intensity very gradually.

[@jagjeetkaur1892]

Pp.trained me for skipping