Most of us equate jumping rope with playground days, but for the average athlete, it’s the best cardiovascular workouts you can do as an adult, according to Andrew Laux, NASM-CPT, and personal trainer with fitness platform, Fyt.
Jumping rope not only gets your heart pounding, but it also improves bone density and promotes strength and stability across your entire kinetic chain (your feet to your shoulders). It’s also a fun workout that you can do practically anyplace.
The main approach to profit from the workout is to use the rope. And, if you believe all jump ropes are the same, think again: over the years, many manufacturers have made technical advancements to jump ropes, providing a number of alternatives for simplicity of use, adjustability, and rope weight.
Crossrope
Crossrope reinvents the traditional jump rope by providing a variety of weighted rope alternatives, an easy-to-use handle clipping mechanism, and a companion app with workouts and insights.
- Pros: Ropes comes in multiple weight options, easy-to-swap soft handles, companion app has great workout guidance
- Cons: Expensive
Crossrope’s Get Lean Set isn’t cheap at $99, but it’s also not just any old jump rope.
This specialist jump rope set has lightweight and easy-to-hold ergonomic handles. The handles have a quick latch system that allows them to be easily swapped in and out of the various weighted ropes. Each handle has a grip that won’t slip out of your hand, even if you start sweating – we tested this in NYC’s heat, and the pleasant, tacky grips are a welcome sight.
Another characteristic that makes Crossrope appealing is its range of rope weights. The Get Lean Set, in particular, includes a 1/2-pound rope suitable for advanced cardio activities and a 1/4-pound rope suitable for HIIT routines and endurance training. As previously stated, the handles simply snap into and out of the ends of each rope for convenient shifting.
Crossrope also provides a companion smartphone app that includes training inspiration and program assistance. The Lite edition is entirely free, while full access costs $10 per month.
Best jump rope for speed work
WOD Nation
When speed and durability are your primary priorities, the WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope is the best option.
- Pros: Comes with an extra cable, feature a smooth bearing system to speed work
- Cons: Susceptible to wear on hard surfaces
If you want to perform quick tempo jumps like high knees, crossovers, or double-unders, you should use a speed rope, according to Louis Chandler Joseph, NASM-CPT, trainer at Dogpound in Los Angeles. “Speed ropes are also excellent for developing hand-eye coordination,” he adds.
In the grips of the WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope, a proprietary four-metal ball bearing mechanism is used.
This speed rope is available in nine different colors and includes an extra cable, replacement hardware, and a carrying bag. The wire is 2.5mm thick and 11 feet long, and it is easily adjustable.
WOD Nation jump rope comes with “100% satisfaction guarantee,” which means you can test it for 70 days and return it for a full refund if you’re not totally satisfied. (However, its return policy states that it will only accept returns on unused items within 14 days of purchase, which is somewhat perplexing.) If you order from Amazon, you have 30 days to return it.
Best jump rope for multiple users
Rx Smart Gear Rapid Fit Jump Rope
The Rx Smart Gear Fit Jump Rope allows you to effortlessly swap between lengths, making it suitable for the entire family. It’s also really smooth and very comfortable.
- Pros: Easy adjustment, smooth rotation, comfortable (and narrower) handles
- Cons: More expensive than other jump ropes
If you 5-feet tall and sharing this rope with a 6-foot-tall partner, you can both utilize it without anyone compromising proper length. You may change the size of the Rx Smart Gear Rapid Fit Jump Rope by pressing the handle, removing the cover, and drawing the rope to the top (to make it longer).
The Rapid Fit Jump Rope’s normal size is suitable for those standing 5 to 6 feet tall. There’s also a short cable option for individuals under 5 feet, as well as a longer cable option for those over 6 feet.
This rope has long, thin handles that allow it to be adjusted. This form has the extra benefit of being simple to grip when flicking your wrists on the spin, as well as strong control over the rope, allowing you to crank up or down the speed.
This jump rope is also adjustable and comes with a carrying case. The price is more than that of other models, but it is less expensive than purchasing two high-quality jump ropes of different lengths.
Best budget jump rope
Tone It Up Jump Rope
The lightweight Tone It Up jump rope costs less than $10 and provides an easy-to-use rope that will last through multiple exercise sessions.
- Pros: Inexpensive, very lightweight, and comfortable handles, easy to use and adjust
- Cons: Not as durable as others
Tone It Up’s offering costs less than $10 and is available at Target, while still providing all of the essential elements of a cardio jump rope. The lightweight design, weighing less than 13 ounces, allows for smooth revolutions and speedy rounds. The padded foam handles provide a comfortable feel as you grip the rope through each jump.
Simply unscrew the end handle and place the plastic stopper tab to the position that works best for your height – the cable is short enough for individuals under 4-foot-9 and long enough for those over 6-foot-6. While you can stuff the excess rope back into the handle, I recommend cutting it off. As I rotated, the wound-up rope inside the handle caused the rope to twist up.
You’ll also be supporting a women-owned business, which adds to the benefits of this purchase.