Rope skipping is an excellent cardio-respiratory endurance exercise that also builds muscles and bones and improves balance and coordination. Five minutes is a considerable time for jumping. Many people skip in 1 to 3-minute rounds, alternating between fast and slow skipping, with a 20 to 60 second rest in between. They build up to skipping faster during rounds and decrease rest time in between. A 10 minute session is typical, but it might take three months to get there. To jump longer, introduce another 10 minute session later in the day.