Using a quality jump rope is essential to learning and improving your skill level. It is the difference between having fun and enjoying your workout and becoming frustrated and never picking it up again. There are 3 major characteristics to take into account when choosing a jump rope and they are length, weight, and quality. Let’s cover each of these in more depth so you understand exactly what to look for.
Rope Length
Rope length is determined by your individual body type and ability level.
Beginners
If you are brand new to jumping rope, the general rule of thumb is to select a rope length that when you stand with one foot in the middle of the rope, where the rope attaches to the handles should come up to your upper chest or armpit level.
This sizing method will provide some excess length as you are learning the proper form and technique of jumping rope. It will let you perform the exercise and allow room for common errors among those starting out.
Intermediate to Advanced Jumpers
If you fall under this category, you most likely have a current jump rope that you have been using. If you are happy with the rope length of your current rope, then you will want to try to match a new rope to the length of this rope as close as possible. If you want to try a shorter rope length, but your current rope is not adjustable, you can try tying a knot on one side 4 to 6 inches from the handle. If this is still not short enough repeat the process on the other side.
If you have a rope that can be cut to length, less is more! Once your rope is cut, there is no putting it back together. Whenever shortening your rope, it should be done conservatively taking no more than an inch off at a time.
Caution: When shortening your rope it is removing excess length which creates less room for error when jumping. It is common for this to initially cause more trip ups and frustration when first trying to jump with this now shorter rope. Be patient and pay attention to when you are tripping. It is usually caused because your form or technique is off. Try to identify the cause and make adjustments. Practice with this new length for at least a day or two in order to see how you adjust before making a determination whether it is too short for you.
Rope Weight
The weight of your jump rope is very important depending on your skill level. This is not a common topic that most beginners or even intermediate jumpers will come across and can lead to a lot of frustration. To be clear, when talking about rope weight, I am referring to the actual weight of the rope itself.
Note: Many ‘weighted jump ropes’ on the market only have the weight in the handles of the jump rope. This is pointless. If you are using proper form and technique your arms should be moving very little which eliminates any potential benefits of having the weight in the handles themselves. Isolation holds of 1 lb handles to the side of your hips is not the name of the game here. Don’t be fooled by this gimmick.
The most common jump ropes on the market have been created with speed being the primary focus. These ropes are super light as well are their handles. It took me a long time to become proficient with a really light speed rope due to the lack of feel and feedback from the rope. If you are having a hard time feeling where the rope is during its rotation around your body, it makes it very difficult to know when to jump and to tell how fast it is moving. These ropes are best suited for advanced jumpers who have developed a fine touch and want to specialize in speed skills.
If you are a beginner, the most effective jump rope weight for learning is around a 1/2 lb. This weight provides excellent feel to the user so you can easily determine when the rope is coming around to your feet in order to know when to jump. I have taught many jump rope clinics and have found that jumpers of all levels can highly benefit from a heavier rope.
Now from a fitness standpoint and being an avid jump roper, I prefer to have options. I certainly like to use a lighter rope to develop speed, agility, and coordination. But I also want to develop more strength and explosive power by using heavier ropes. In the past there was no easy fix to this dilemma except to find different weighted ropes and buy them individually. This is not the case anymore, so lets discuss rope quality and then I will share the rope I personally recommend.
Rope Quality
I am all about quality and suspect that you are too. Nobody likes to spend their hard earned money on something only to have it break a few days or weeks later.
What does a quality jump rope consist of?
Durable handles with a quality grip
Ball bearings for the rope to rotate smoothly
Ropes that can be used on various surfaces including the outdoors
Backed by a company who supports their customers and that look out for their best interests
A quality rope will be made of durable components, used and abused by many, and have the testimonials and reviews to back it all up. The online shopping world offers tons of reviews on products from actual customers who have experienced the goods first hand. I am a huge advocate of doing research before buying a product. The more expensive a product is, the more research you should do.
All of that being said, the question still remains. What jump rope should you get?
My Jump Rope Of Choice
I have been jump roping for nearly a decade. For much of that time I have worked closely with Crossrope Jump Ropes. Dave Hunt, the owner and creator, has become a good friend of mine. Having used many other jump ropes, there simply is no comparison in the market. Crossrope is a company committed to making the most innovative jump rope system available.
“What makes Crossrope so great, it’s just another jump rope right?”
Not exactly. Crossrope is the first interchangeable jump rope system. Their latest release is the Infinity Rope System which has a total of four weighted ropes weighing in at 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, 1 lb, and 2 lbs.
These ropes are great for all skill levels and I enjoy the ability to change ropes and bring more variety to my workouts.
In your search for the right rope for you, I would certainly recommend taking a look and this system, which you can do by clicking here!
If you have any questions regarding choosing a jump rope, shoot me a message through the contact page. I am happy to assist in any way I can!