10 Best Fast Skipping Alternatives for Limited Space

Ranked Fast Skipping Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Fast Skipping on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   

   1. Stride Jump Crossover

   81% match

   • Quads
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the quads.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand to the side of a box with your inside foot on top of it, close to the edge.
   2. Begin by swinging the arms upward as you push through the top leg, jumping upward as high as possible. Attempt to drive the opposite knee upward.
   3. Land in the opposite position that you started, on the opposite side of the box. The foot that was initially on the box will now be on the ground, with the opposite foot now on the box.
   4. Repeat the movement, crossing back over to the other side.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
2. 

   Progression

   2. Star Jump

   83% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin in a relaxed stance with your feet shoulder width apart and hold your arms close to the body.
   2. To initiate the move, squat down halfway and explode back up as high as possible. Fully extend your entire body, spreading your legs and arms away from the body.
   3. As you land, bring your limbs back in and absorb your impact through the legs.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
3. Play demonstration

   3. Ski Step

   78% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it uses the same equipment, but it works the heart and lungs rather than the quads.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and keep your back straight.
   3. Jump to the right, landing on your right foot while swinging your left leg behind your right leg.
   4. Immediately jump to the left, landing on your left foot while swinging your right leg behind your left leg.
   5. Continue alternating jumps from side to side, mimicking a skiing motion.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not quads
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
4. Play demonstration

   4. Astride Jumps

   74% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Bend your knees and lower your body into a squat position.
   3. Jump explosively upwards, extending your legs and arms.
   4. While in the air, spread your legs apart and bring your arms out to the sides.
   5. Land softly with your feet shoulder-width apart, bending your knees to absorb the impact.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not quads
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
5. Play demonstration

   5. Back And Forth Step

   74% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Step forward with your right foot, bending your knee and lowering your body into a lunge position.
   3. Push off with your right foot and step back to the starting position.
   4. Repeat the movement with your left foot, alternating legs with each step.
   5. Continue stepping back and forth, maintaining a steady pace.
   6. Repeat for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not quads
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
6. 

   6. Mountain Climbers

   74% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want to work the quads with more balance to manage.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin in a pushup position, with your weight supported by your hands and toes. Flexing the knee and hip, bring one leg until the knee is approximately under the hip. This will be your starting position.
   2. Explosively reverse the positions of your legs, extending the bent leg until the leg is straight and supported by the toe, and bringing the other foot up with the hip and knee flexed. Repeat in an alternating fashion for 20-30 seconds.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: lying face down, not standing
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
7. Play demonstration

   7. Dumbbell Burpee

   73% match

   • Quads
   • Dumbbell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the quads.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.
   2. Lower your body into a squat position, placing the dumbbells on the ground in front of you.
   3. Kick your feet back into a push-up position, keeping your body in a straight line.
   4. Perform a push-up, bending your elbows and lowering your chest towards the ground.
   5. Jump your feet back towards your hands, landing in a squat position.
   6. Stand up explosively, lifting the dumbbells off the ground and bringing them to your shoulders.
   7. Press the dumbbells overhead, fully extending your arms.
   8. Lower the dumbbells back to your shoulders and repeat the entire sequence for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Equipment: free weights, not bodyweight only
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
8. Play demonstration

   Progression

   8. Scissor Jumps

   73% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Jump off the ground and simultaneously cross your right leg in front of your left leg.
   3. As you land, quickly switch legs, crossing your left leg in front of your right leg.
   4. Continue alternating legs and jumping as quickly as possible.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not quads
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
9. Play demonstration

   9. Jack Jump

   72% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet together and your arms by your sides.
   2. Jump up, spreading your feet apart and raising your arms above your head.
   3. As you land, quickly jump back to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not quads
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping
10. Play demonstration

    Progression

    10. Skater Hops

    71% match

    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and jump to the right, landing on your right foot.
    3. As you land, swing your left leg behind your right leg and tap the ground with your left toes.
    4. Immediately jump to the left, landing on your left foot.
    5. As you land, swing your right leg behind your left leg and tap the ground with your right toes.
    6. Continue alternating sides, jumping and tapping the ground with each leg.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not quads
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Fast Skipping
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Fast Skipping
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Fast Skipping