Jump rope for fun and fitness, a new community rises in Chennai

On Sunday morning, around two dozen individuals — a spirited mix of children, adults, and seniors — gathered at Dr. Natesan Park on Venkatanarayana Road in T. Nagar with one common goal: to jump-start their day with fun and fitness. Armed with colourful jump ropes, they quickly began swinging them and jumping in rhythm. On the other side stood the instructor, G. Aravindaakshan — a self-taught jump rope enthusiast and founder of Chennai Jumps — guiding the group through the nuances of rope jumping.

G. Aravindaakshan, founder of Chennai Jumps, a jump rope community in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
AKHILA EASWARAN

Over the past few months, Chennai Jumps has hosted several workshops, including activities at Chitlapakkam Lake and Anna Nagar Tower Park, among others. “Jump rope is a tool that is under rated and which is not spoken about. It has a lot of health benefits too,” Mr. Aravindaakshan said.

He began skipping during the Covid pandemic and gradually discovered that this simple tool offered much more — with a variety of techniques and possibilities to explore. “I learnt a lot of techniques from YouTube and Instagram and practiced regularly. This helps individuals physically and mentally. When you jump, your full focus shifts to yourself — where your hands need to be and how you need to jump,” he says.

According to Mr. Aravindaakshan, jump rope is a highly accessible activity that can be done anytime, anywhere. “All you need is a little space to jump,” he says. “It’s also budget-friendly — your only real investment is the rope itself.”

Currently, Chennai Jumps includes participants in age ranging from just 5 years old to 66. In the coming months, Aravindaakshan plans to bring this activity to more public spaces and schools across the city. He intends to create a professional academy for jump rope.

Mr. Aravindaakshan charges a nominal fee of ₹100 from those joining his community. “My goal is to create awareness,” he says, “but I also need to cover the cost of the ropes, so I charge this small amount.”