Movement multi-tasking is an important skill for fit bodies to master.
Both tests of coordination, dribbling a basketball while doing a lunge is the elevated version of rubbing your stomach while patting your head. “Dribbling is actually a great way to challenge your central nervous system because you’re asking it to coordinate multiple movements and body segments simultaneously,” says Matt Delaney, a Tier X coach at Equinox Columbus Circle. The result: better coordination and focus, crucial skills for performance in sports and in life.
Jumping rope is another way to boost brainpower while strengthening the body. The activity's cardiovascular and rhythmic nature stimulates brain health, mental alertness, and can benefit language skills, according to research. And jumping rope is a fat incinerator. In just 10 minutes, it torches a similar amount of calories as half an hour of jogging does.
To boost how much brainpower your workout calls for, add a few of Delaney’s basketball moves into your strength session; or grab a rope and try the fancy footwork of Equinox Los Angeles–based instructor Jude Lizama in the video above.