People think of skipping as something kids do during recess.

But this simple exercise is one of the easiest and most import ways to get faster, according to Stack.com.

When people skip:

• The hip, knee and ankle triple-extend to drive you off the ground
• Arms simulate the pumping that comes with a running motion
• The opposite leg must relax and drive upward

Click here for a video that shows how to incorporate skipping into your workout

Learning to sprint while running at full speed is difficult. But while performed at a slower speed, skipping is nearly identical to running mechanics.

Whether used as a warm-up or as a central focus of a younger athlete’s workout routine, skipping teaches proper sprinting form and improves leg stride to where the movements become second nature.