How Katy Perry Makes Fitness Fun

Katy Perry is not a fan of the gym, but she knows how important it is to stay active. So the singer finds fun ways to get her heart pumping. Perry has said one of her favorite things to do before going on stage is jumping rope. In just 10 minutes of jumping, you can really work up a sweat and burn a ton of calories.  So in addition to being fun, it's extremely efficient. The one drawback to jumping rope is that it takes a little time to learn the movements and build up endurance. If you don't have a 10-year-old girl to teach you how, here are some pointers to keep in mind: First: The length of the rope is crucial. Stand on the center of the rope with your feet together and hold the ends up against your sides. The handles should come within a few inches of your armpits. Second: Jump just high enough for the rope to clear your feet. If you jump too high, you'll get tired faster and put a lot of stress on your feet, ankles, knees, and lower back. Start by warming up with 50 arm swings. Hold the handles together with both hands and swing the rope from side to side while you bounce on your feet. When you get the hang of it, try 20 consecutive jumps, followed by 30 arm swings, and repeat. Eventually, build up your endurance to 10 consecutive minutes of jumping. Don't forget to stretch your calves, hamstrings, and lower back after a jumping workout. You can even do it in the shower to save time. You'll feel it the next day if you don't. To learn more celebrity workout secrets, check out other videos in this series.