You probably haven’t thought much about jump ropes since the elementary school playground, but they’re becoming pretty popular in the athletic world.
While boxers have been using jump ropes to improve speed and agility for a long time, recently people have been using jump ropes as a form of exercise.
And why not? In addition to helping with agility and speed, jump roping is a great way to fit in your cardio, burn a lot of calories, and increase bone density.
Speed & Jump Rope Buying Guide
There’s a good chance you haven’t bought a jump rope in a while. If that’s the case, you’ll be shocked at how much things have changed. You might think that buying one is pretty simple because, after all, it’s just a jump rope.
But these aren’t the same kind that you used when you were a kid. Before getting to the top nine jump ropes or speed ropes of this seaon, let’s consider a few things we need to look for when we buy one.
Jump vs. Speed Rope
Jump rope vs speed rope – Truth be told, there’s not that many differences between a jump rope and a speed rope. A speed rope is a jump rope that designed to be fast. They have a lot of different characteristics.
There are special handles, various materials, and ways of attaching the rope that affect how fast it can turn and, therefore, how fast you can go.
Do you need a jump rope or a speed rope? Well, the answer to that depends on how you want to use it. If you are just starting out jumping or if it’s been a long time, it’s not a bad idea to start with a regular jump rope.
That way, you can learn the basics of jumping and timing before you invest in a faster, sportier speed rope. Another thing about a regular rope is that it’s the best kind to use for children. Speed ropes tend to turn very quickly and might not be suitable for someone just starting out..
Handles
The cord or rope should come out of the handle at about a 90-degree angle to make sure it can spin freely. Some handles have ball bearing attachments where the rope is connected to minimize friction and spin as efficiently as possible.
Handles come in different sizes, material, and weights. Lighter handles are great for making sure your hands and wrists don’t get fatigued but some people like a heavier one because they feel like they’re more in control.
One thing a good handle must have is a comfortable grip. Some people like foam, some plastic. Choose whatever works best for you.
Material
There are a handful of different materials that jump ropes and speed ropes come in.
Cloth
This is the most basic and least expensive material. They’re usually braided cotton with either a handle or just a knot tied in the ends to grab onto.
This is a good rope for beginners – people learning how to swing the rope and time the jumps. But once you get a little bit of experience, it will be time to move on to a rope that’s a little higher quality and will push you to go a little faster.
Beaded
Different color beads are strung on a thin cord of nylon which makes a unique noise when it’s swung and scrapes the ground. These are also a really economical choice but aren’t really meant for intense exercise.
They’re clumsy to swing and won’t turn very fast. Beaded ropes are typically used in schools because they’re inexpensive and last a little longer than the cloth ones as the beads protect them from general wear and tear.
Weighted Jump Rope
These use weighted handles and a rope that is typically made of PVC or leather. The theory is that the additional weight in the handles will work the upper body a little more during jumps.
There are arguments for and against this. It can add an upper body workout to your jumping, but jumping is a great cardio workout and the weighted handles can diminish that.
If you’re looking to improve you speed and agility and not your upper body, choose handles that are not weighted. Some ropes take this to the next level and really up the weight, which make it more of a full body weight training exercise than cardio.
Cables
Steel or other metal cables are a popular material for jump ropes. Typically, when a jump rope is constructed of metal cables, it’s covered with PVC.
Wires can be made in different thicknesses, which affects the weight of the jump rope and, to some degree, the weight of the jumper because it could alter the intensity of the workout.
Leather
Leather is usually the choice for professional boxers who practice jumping rope to help their agility and speed in the ring. Leather ropes turn much faster than cotton or beaded rope and are much more appropriate for a workout.
Licorice PVC
This option is relatively inexpensive. Made out of a thick PVD rope with simple plastic handles, it’s a great rope for someone who’s getting into jumping rope for a good cardio workout and improving agility and strength. .
Length
Some ropes come in a fixed length, others will be cut to length, and others will be adjusted for each user with screw tension in the handles to change the length.
To figure out what is your best length, hold a handle in each hand and let the rope fall to the floor. Then, stand on the rope and lift the ends of it as high as you can.
If the handles reach your shoulders, the rope is a good length for you. Any shorter than that and you might have trouble when jumping.
If you’re going to be sharing your rope, you should consider one that is fully adjustable and can be changed easily with every user. Once you cut the rope, you can’t really adjust it to someone else’s height.
But if you use the screw tightening method of changing the size, you can make it fit each individual user.
Best Jump Rope Reviews
1. Ballistyx Jump Rope
The Ballistyx Jump Rope by Epitomie Fitness boasts a tangle-free experience – 100% of the time! A tall order, but an excellent quality if it’s true.
The polymer-coated speed cable is attached to a set of bearings that allow smooth and fast rotations which is always good with a rope you’ll be using for fitness. It’s adjustable in lots of ways including cable length, so pretty much anyone and everyone in your family or fitness group can use it easily.
It has a weighted cable which works with exercisers as tall as 6’6″. That pretty much covers every adult I’ve ever met in my life recently (other than about 35% of pro NBA players who may need a longer rope!) The cable for the Ballistyx jump rope is made of stainless steel and is coated with a PVC polymer. For a speed cable, it is thicker and has a bit more weight than your average 2mm thick cables.
The handles are not foam (which tends to hold sweat and grime) but smooth silicone over stainless steel! (this is a good thing). Also, note that this is not a child’s toy. Even at this low price, it is meant to be a serious fitness tool. It even includes free online access to the Epitomie Fitness Jump Rope Mastery program (RRP$15.97 on Amazon), created to burn fat and build muscle.
The return policy and warranty are excellent. This is a decent buy for the price.
Pros:
- Super good Price
- Steel and Silicone Handles
- Customizable length
- Wear-resistant
- Free online access to workout program that normally costs $16 (for those who did not purchase this rope)
Cons
- Like all jump ropes available anywhere online or at a local brick and mortar retail store, someone will find something wrong with it. In this case, some users found the coating on the cable wore off after a short time
2. Wod Nation Speed Jump Rope
This affordable jump rope was designed with real athletes in mind. It’s customizable, just clip it with a wire cutter when it arrives and you’re on your way. It has plastic handles with metal ball bearing to help the rope achieve a fast and stable spin.
It’s extremely lightweight and easy to travel with. The stability of this rope helps you recover from any inaccurate swings quickly and without ruining your routine. It’s very durable and they also offer a lifetime guarantee.
They include a free carrying bag and you get an extra cable. There’s nine colors to choose from so you can really make it your own.
Some users don’t think the rope is fast enough for them and there have been complaints about quality. But with the replacement cable and the guarantee, you should still be very happy with this purchase.
Pros:
- Price
- Ball bearings
- Adjustable
- Stable
- Lifetime guarantee
- Extra cable
Cons:
- Handles a little flimsy
- Easily bends out of shape
- Have to cut cable to really get it sized correctly
- Might not be fast enough
3. Sonic Boom M2 High-Speed Jump Rope
The Sonic Boom is at the upper price range of our rope reviews, but for the price overall, we think it’s worth it. Why? Okay, you asked for it! For starters, the premium grade 360-degree ball bearings in the handles, combined with anti-slip grips are just the beginning!
A free carrying case and online training course ($16 value) are just nice little window dressings. This system also boasts the FIRST patented self-locking, screw-free jump rope on the market! That’s kind of a big deal.
The included two adjustable, ten-foot polymer-coated speed-cables allow for adjustments of any kind any time for anyone – with maximum versatility.
Here’s a fun warranty; The Sonic Boom M2 comes with a Lifetime Warranty and satisfaction guarantee which means you’re protected against broken parts and changes of hearts! Get it? 🙂
Pros:
- First Self-Locking and Screw Free rope on the market
- Comfortable handles
- Adjustable
Cons:
- It’s the highest-priced single rope we have (well, it’s actually a bit of a tie with the Crossrope Set), but it’s still not astronomical
4. Synergee Speed Jump Rope
The Synergee is a unique offering in our bunch of ropes! It happens to be Amazon’s top choice of workout jump ropes and perhaps for good reason – but why? Here’s why we think; These ropes are designed for serious competition and high-intensity workouts.
They’re not playground toys! You’ll notice I said “ropes” as in “plural”, “more than one”, etc. That’s because each rope comes with, well, another rope!
You get TWO 10′ ropes in a variety of color combinations, 1 pair of handles, 6 end caps, 6 stoppers, 2 rope twist ties, and a carrying bag. the ropes are 2mm thick.
Of course, they have a great warranty and will return your money anytime if there’s a product defect.
Pros:
- Adjustable 10 foot cable
- Generous handles
- Fast and precise
- Price
Cons:
- No directions
5. RxFIT Light Aluminum Handled Crossfit Jump Rope
Available in 4 different colors, the RxFIT rope just looks good! It’s really light at only 38 grams, and like others it has precision-machined aluminum handles.
The knurling on the handles ensures a consistent and good grip, and the 5 ball bearings per handle ensure maximum smoothness in the rotation. The rope itself is 10 feet long and is adjustable, so no worries about being too short for tall adults.
The cable is steel and it’s coated with 2.5mm PVC plastic. A free bag is included with every order to keep it together and organized in your gym bag.
Overall, I like this rope because it looks good, has more-than-decent specs and the price is easy to deal with.
Even in the case where this rope fails and you somehow end up holding the bag (which I really doubt will ever happen), you won’t freak out too much at all the money you lost! It’s just that affordable!
Oh, and one bit of trivia that relates to all ropes; 10 minutes of jumping equals 30 or minutes of jogging (depending on the intensity of the jog)!
Pros:
- Long length
- Easily adjustable thumb screws
- Small handles
- Good for tall people
- Lightweight
Cons
- Thin cable
6. Survival and Cross Jump Rope
The Survival and Cross rope is a budget entry onto our list, but nearly 6500 reviewers gave it four out of five stars! Keep in mind that most reviews total about 1-5 reviewers, while this one has nearly 6500 reviewers – WOW!
It’s easy to adjust using two sliding screws and collars which set the handles at a specific length on the cable. Unneeded excess cable is the cut off and you’re done customizing the length!
At under 2.9 ounces, this rope is barely HALF THE WEIGHT of others. That may appeal to someone looking to do longer workouts for cardio endurance rather than short, powerful workouts for power and speed.
Pros:
- Very budget-friendly
- Astonishingly good reviews (the jury is still out on whether they’re real reviews or not)
Cons:
- Potentially false (paid for) reviews may account for such a high number of positive reviews
- Poor quality issues are not lacking in this product (the same as most others)
7. Pulse Weighted Jump Rope
This Pulse rope weighs 1 lb and offers you a serious full-body workout. The rope itself is adjustable for anyone 6’6″ tall or shorter. It has a smooth ball-bearing system for ease of rotation, and the rope is 6mm, which is on the heavier side.
The ergonomic foam handles have removable weights for extra workout horsepower! It can even be adjusted to be used with kids if you have motivated yung ‘uns!
Pros:
- Very Smooth
- Decent Price
- Good for tall people and super short people
Cons:
- The weight is in the handles and not so much the rope! That’s an important point to understand before purchasing
8. Buy Jump Ropes Segmented Jump Rope
This is a really basic, really affordable option and the only beaded jump rope on this list. Adjusting the length of this rope is really easy – just untie it from the handle, take off a few beads until you get to the desired length, then tie it back up.
This rope is only eight feet long so it probably won’t be long enough for really tall people. The beads are one inch plastic segments that add a little extra weight to the rope.
This is not a speed rope and won’t be used in the same way as some of the other entries on this list, but it’s one of the only one’s that is suitable for children. The beads are fairly sturdy and will hold up to using the rope on a hard surface.
This is a great rope for kids to play with or for someone new to jumping to use to learn the basics.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easily adjustable
Cons:
- Heavy
9. Crossrope Get Lean Speed + Strength Rope
The Crossrope get lean set is packed with features and extras! It includes a 1/4 lb rope and a 1/2 lb rope to achieve different goals. The 1/2 lb heavier rope is meant for strength training while the 1/4 lb rope dials back the strength and cardio just a notch.
In addition to that, you can change the ropes very quickly and conveniently. Slim handles enhance the comfort factor and allow for a greater variety of users to maximize efficiency and comfort levels.
The durability of the PVC-coated ropes means you can use it on nearly any surface and it’ll last a long time for sure! If all this is not enough, Crossrope sweetens the pot even more.
They offer a free customizable rope jumping app to fine-tune your workout, and there’s a substantial online community to get answers and offer encouragement!
Pros:
- 2 ropes for ultimate variety and versatility in training
- Customized app available
- extremely durable ropes coated with PVC
Cons:
- Price
- Handles might smell bad (like weird chemical) – yep, it’s the only other negative besides price!
Conclusion & Recommendations
There you have the top nine jump ropes and speed ropes of this year. Please remember, what jump rope is right for you is a matter of personal preference that will depend on what kind of a workout you want to do.
The options presented here include everything from fast, speed ropes for an intense cardio workout, a beaded rope that is best for playing with the kids, and a kit that gives you a little bit of everything.
The Crossrope a great rope for someone who’s looking for a rope to use long term.
For the novice or someone who isn’t quite ready to move up to some of the more intense ropes yet, try the Buy Jump Ropes Segmented Jump Rope.
The Segmented Jump Rope is a simple beaded rope that won’t get you the speed you need to really call using it a “work out” but it’s great for kids and can get the job done if need be.
If you are super serious about jumping and want to use it not just as a cardio workout, check out the variety you get in the Crossrope Premium Set.
You’ll get light ropes to work on agility and speed and heavy ropes to work on gaining muscle.
Whatever you choose, jumping rope is a great way to get in your cardio. It’s not just for kids on the playground anymore.