Get into Hunger Games shape by…skipping?

Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence needed to not only look in shape for her role in the hit movies, she needed to be in shape to perform many of the feats required of her on set. Now, as the final installment of the films looms on the horizon, she shares her secret weapon for being in shape?skipping.

SEE ALSO: How to get the look: The Hunger Games’ Jennifer Lawrence

According to an interview Lawrence’s trainer, Dr. Horrigan, did with Teen Vogue, the actress was put through exercises that mimicked the acting she was required to do in the movies. She did archery, climbed up and down trees, but her go-to cardio exercise was actually skipping.

According to fitness experts, skipping is often dismissed in the exercise world because of it’s affiliation with childhood playing, but the reality is that skipping is very close to jumping rope as far as fitness is concerned. In fact, many people considered skipping to by synonymous with jumping rope–the only difference is having a rope in hand!

Why is skipping so effective?

According to an article from Weight Loss Resources, skipping is considered a high-impact exercise and is therefore excellent for improving heart and lung function and toning hips, the back, butt and thighs. Serious skipping can burn over 100 calories in just ten minutes, and if you add in the motion of a jump rope, the caloric burn only increases.

Just remember that skipping isn’t for everyone. Since it is considered a high-impact activity, people who are battling knee of leg injuries or have bone issues should speak with their doctor before hand.

SEE ALSO: Tabata training method: Complete cardio workout in 4 minutes

And, of course, skipping wasn’t the only thing Jennifer Lawrence did to get in shape to be Katniss Everdeen. He trainer indicates the actress made sure to take two days out of her week to let her body recover. This didn’t mean missing a workout, but it did mean turning things down a notch and doing low-activity exercises like yoga.

Lawrence didn’t have to put hours in everyday, either. Horrigan indicates running, cycling (road, mountain, classes, or simply a regular stationary bike), or various aerobic classes such as dance classes and hiking at 20 minutes of high intensity, 5 days a week, is all it takes to see results.