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Bringing cardio into your home gym routine doesn't always require purchasing a bestseller treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike. It can be as simple as channeling your inner child and picking up a jump rope for a full-body workout that will get your heart pumping.
Whether you're looking for a beginner option, cordless rope, or the best rope for your budget, we're here to help. The ACTIVE Reviews Team compiled a list of the 8 best jump ropes, so you can skip the stress of picking out decent exercise equipment.
The Best Jump Ropes for 2022 - Our Top 8 Picks
- Best Overall Jump Rope: Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set
- Best Speed Jump Rope: REP Fitness Competition Speed Rope
- Best Jump Rope for Beginners: Crossrope Starter Set
- Best Weighted Jump Rope: TRX Weighted Jump Rope
- Best CrossFit Jump Rope: Buddy Lee Aero Speed Jump Rope
- Best Cordless Jump Rope: ILIENSA Ropeless Jump Rope
- Best Boxing Jump Rope: DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings
- Best Smart Jump Rope: Tangram Smart Jump Rope Rookie
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Best Overall Jump Rope - Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set
- Key feature: Crossrope Lite app access comes free with the jump ropes
- Cord length: Varies; 8" to 9'6"
- Materials: Steel wire rope braided with an added coating for durability
The Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set combines high-quality jump ropes with a compatible app. Although the set is almost $100, you get two different weighted ropes, a carrying case, detachable handles, and access to the Lite version of the Crossrope app. If you find that you enjoy the basic edition of the app, you can always upgrade to the premium version for $49.99 per year.
When purchasing, there are four different length options to pick from that suit a wide range of heights. You'll also get both a quarter-pound and half-pound heavy jump rope to interchange with the clippable handles. Whether you're a beginner just learning to properly jump rope or looking to do more advanced speed work, this set will likely work well for you.
BUY: Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set
Best Speed Jump Rope - REP Fitness Competition Speed Rope
- Key feature: Thin rope designed for speed
- Cord length: Adjustable length
- Materials: Aluminum and nylon
The REP Fitness Competition Speed Rope is made with high-intensity training in mind. If you enjoy CrossFit or HIIT and want to master double-unders, you'll likely enjoy this speed jump rope made with a thin, nylon cord. REP Fitness uses soft, knurled handles for easy grip, and you can pick from either black or silver for the handles.
Built with users of all heights in mind, the cord is also adjustable. This speed rope is ideal for a calorie-torching rope workout because the faster you move, the more calories you can potentially burn while also increasing your endurance levels.
BUY: REP Fitness Competition Speed Rope
Best Jump Rope for Beginners - Crossrope Starter Set
- Key feature: Adjustable weight
- Cord length: Varies; 8' to 9'6"
- Materials: Steel wire with PVC
For beginners just starting on their jump rope journey, the Crossrope Starter Set is an excellent option. The Crossrope Starter Set comes in four different length options, so you'll want to choose the correct rope length for your height. And, this jump rope also starts at just .25 pounds, which is light enough for a beginner learning how to use a jump rope correctly.
The Crossrope also comes with a fast clip system that allows you to change the weight of your rope as your training advances. It has lightweight, short handles that help you get a better grip on the rope, therefore, making it easier to jump on any surface. The Crossrope Starter Set is highly durable and comes backed by a lifetime warranty.
Best Weighted Jump Rope - TRX Weighted Jump Rope
- Key feature: Removable weights for resistance
- Cord length: Adjusts up to 10 ft.
- Materials: PVC-rope interior with vinyl-coated cable adjusters and rubber handles
Looking to transform your cardio routine? One of the best ways to push yourself to the limit is using a weighted jump rope. And the TRX Weighted Jump Rope offers quite the challenge. With removable 9-ounce weights embedded in the handles, you can customize your resistance level based on what works for you. You can also adjust the length up to 10 feet depending on your height.
With a coated wire combined with low friction bearings, you can jump to your heart's content without worrying about the rope tangling up or interfering with your workout. Made from PVC, the TRX rope holds up well over time, and the rubber handles help you grip the rope without too much effort.
Best CrossFit Rope - Buddy Lee Aero Speed Jump Rope
- Key feature: Designed for any surface
- Cord length: 9.5”; adjustable
- Materials: PVC cord, comes with swivel bearing wrench
The best CrossFit rope is durable and made to withstand any surface, helping you keep up with your ever-changing, grueling workouts. Enter the Buddy Lee Aero Speed Jump Rope. There's a reason the UFC, CrossFit, US Olympic Team, and even the US Army endorsed this rope. Crafted from PVC and fit with sturdy handles, you can count on the Buddy Lee rope to hold up in just about any setting—wood, turf, carpet, or rubber surfaces. And with an adjustable length, CrossFitters of all heights can use this rope.
Another cool feature? A replaceable swivel bearing fit with an included wrench allows you to replace worn bearings as time goes on. This jump rope was designed to eliminate friction and drag making, your cardio workout smoother and tangle-free.
BUY: Buddy Lee Aero Speed Jump Rope
Best Cordless Jump Rope - ILIENSA Ropeless Jump Rope
- Key feature: Weighted balls instead of a rope
- Cord length: N/A (cordless)
- Materials: Foam grips and vinyl
The ILIENSA Ropeless Jump Rope is the solution for those of us constantly getting tangled up in our jump ropes. The cordless, tangle-free design features a weighted ball attached to each handle to engage your arms and give you an effective cardiovascular workout.
If you're tight on space but still want the feeling of jumping rope during your home workout, the ILIENSA is a worry-free option for you because this rope won't hit the ceiling. Plus, because there isn't a cord constantly hitting the ground, you don't have to worry about the surface you're jumping on, making this usable pretty much anywhere.
BUY: ILIENSA Ropeless Jump Rope
Best Boxing Jump Rope - DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings
- Key feature: Smooth and fast thanks to a ball-bearing system
- Cord length: 9'; adjustable
- Materials: Steel rope coated with PVC, memory foam handles
It's no secret that jump roping is an essential exercise for boxers. And the DEGOL Skipping Rope is ideal for boxers, MMA fighters, or anyone looking for a smooth roping session. Featuring a unique dual ball bearing system and light cable, the DEGOL Skipping Rope cuts through the air quickly and with ease, helping boxers jump rope with speed and intensity smoothly. This rope won't twist, wind, or break under pressure.
Plus, thanks to ergonomic memory foam handles, you can enjoy a more comfortable grip. Adjustable length also helps you find your ideal fit, and an affordable price point (under $10.00) makes this rope work for nearly all budgets.
BUY: DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings
Best Smart Jump Rope - Tangram Smart Jump Rope Rookie
- Key feature: Connects to your phone via Bluetooth to track time, calories, and jumps
- Cord length: Adjustable with a max of 9'10"
- Materials: Plastic polymer
For those who love technology (yes, even in your jump rope), the Tangram Smart Jump Rope Rookie is the choice for you. This smart jump rope connects via Bluetooth to an app, which tracks metrics such as calories burned, the time elapsed, and the overall number of jumps performed. You can even view previous sessions or compete with friends via the app.
Even though the Tangram has integrated technology, it isn't bulky like you might expect. There is a small battery in one of the plastic handles that will occasionally need replacing, but other than that, it doesn't require any additional maintenance.
BUY: Tangram Smart Jump Rope Rookie
How to Choose a Jump Rope
Jump ropes may seem simple enough, but like any other fitness equipment, there are a few key things to look out for.
Length
Jump ropes can range in length from as short as 8 feet to as long as 11 feet. The best rope for you will depend on your height—the shorter you are, the shorter your jump rope will need to be. The best way to make sure your jump rope is the correct length is to stand on the middle of the rope then pull it up towards your shoulders. The cables (not the handles) should touch near your armpits.
Some jump ropes are also adjustable, meaning you can adjust the length to whatever suits you best.
Weight
The weight of your jump rope will affect how intense your workout is. Jump ropes can range from as light as .5 pounds to as heavy as 2 pounds. Beginners should start with something lighter, while more advanced gym-goers can opt for a heavier rope.
Tips for Getting Better with a Jump Rope
Want to get better at jumping rope for wellness but don't know how? The ACTIVE Reviews Team has you covered with 4 simple tips:
1. Choose a Good Rope for You
If you're someone who likes to do speed work but is using an old-school traditional rope, you may be frustrated with your results. Make sure you're picking a jump rope that aligns with the surface you're using and the length-plus-intensity of your movement. Some factors that affect whether the rope is good for you—or not—include things like if the cord is beaded or if there is a ball-bearing attachment (which helps the rope turn faster).
2. Pick the Right Rope Length
To determine if your jump rope is the appropriate length for you, simply step on it in the middle and pull the rope handles up under your armpits. If the rope reaches your shoulders, it's too long. If it reaches the bottom of your ribs, it's too short. Most jump ropes are adjustable, so once you realize the rope is the wrong length, it can be easily corrected.
3. Turn the Rope with Your Wrists
Ever wonder why you're getting so winded while jumping rope for only a few minutes? You might be turning the rope with your whole arm versus limiting the movement to your wrist. Without the rope, practice just moving your wrists in circles without using your forearms or shoulders. You'll be surprised by how much endurance you seem to gain with this quick fix.
4. Stick With It
How irritating that our parents were right—stick with things over time, and you'll improve. We all want to be superstars the first time we try something new, but like with most things in life, the more you do it, the better you'll get. Try to incorporate a few jump rope exercises into your workout routine, and you'll likely improve quickly.
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FAQs About Jump Ropes
What does 15 minutes of jump rope do?
Since jump roping is such a high-intensity form of cardio, 10-15 minutes of jump roping can burn anywhere from 200 to 300 calories, depending on your body weight and individual metabolism. If you're looking to get in a quick, effective cardio workout, jump roping is a great option.
What does jump roping do for your body?
Jump roping not only gets your heart rate up, improving your cardiovascular fitness, but it can also strengthen your muscles since it's a full-body workout. It incorporates both your lower body (think glutes, calves, and quads) and upper body (shoulders and biceps), while also building your core. Lastly, it takes a certain level of coordination and balance to jump rope effectively, especially over a longer duration, so rope jumping can also help you improve these fitness areas.
Is jump roping better than running?
One isn't necessarily better than the other since both exercises are cardio-based, but if you're short on time, jump roping is the better option. Since this exercise relies on numerous muscles, it provides a more effective workout in a shorter amount of time. Jump roping can also be easier on your joints, so if you have weak knees but still wish to improve your cardio endurance, this might be the better option.
Does jump roping tone your arms?
Because jump roping targets your shoulders and biceps, as well as your lower body, consistently performing this exercise can help tone your arms. If your main goal is to strengthen your upper body, your best bet is to pair jump roping with regular weight training. An exercise regimen with both movement and weight training can help to strengthen your muscles and cardiovascular system, allowing you to build muscle and tone your body.
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