When schedules get busy, one of the first things to go is exercise. One missed workout can turn into two and before you know it, you can’t remember the last time you got a good sweat going. Finding exercise routines that fit into a busy schedule and don’t necessarily require a visit to your gym or access to a ton of equipment can help reduce the number of excuses as to why you haven’t worked out today. Fast, portable and easy, using a jump rope is one of the best ways to quickly and efficiently work out.
When we think of jump ropes, we often think of little kids playing double-dutch or boxers preparing for their next fight. What do those two groups have in common? They typically have a lot of energy. Thanks to the rise in popularity of CrossFit, there’s been a resurgence in using jump ropes for workouts. Using a jump rope enables users to pack a lot of cardio into a small amount of time and space. Too hot outside to go for a jog? Don’t have enough time to spend an hour on the treadmill? Jump rope in your living room for three minutes. You’ll feel like you ran a marathon.
Jumping rope has several benefits, including improving balance, agility and endurance. It targets muscles throughout the body, including stabilizers around joints and your core. It is great for cardiovascular health and increases stamina. Plus, jump ropes are affordable, take up minimal room and can be used just about anywhere. If you’re into CrossFit, bringing your own jump rope means not having to deal with other people’s germs.
Check out some of our top picks for jump ropes below.
1. SPORTBIT Jump Rope
BEST OVERALL
Built for any speed and any height, the SPORTBIT Jump Rope is a great addition to your exercise routine. Users can easily shorten the 10-foot cable to their desired length. The lightweight rope can be used for speed jumping and is less painful if users make a misstep compared to ropes with heavier cables. The sleek handles are 12.5 cm long and the compact design is ideal for travel. We also like that the Sportbit comes with a travel bag and e-book that guides users on how to shorten its cable and get the most out of their workout.
For a rope that can match your speed, we recommend the WOD Nation Attack Speed Jump Rope. Each WOD speed rope comes with two cables that can be attached to the durable handles in seconds. The thin 2.2 mm cable is designed for speed and the 3.3 mm cable has a heavier weight for more of an upper-body workout. The length of the cables can also be adjusted and each set comes with a travel bag. The WOD speed rope is available in six bright colors, making it ideal for group settings when users want to tell their rope apart from others.
3. Epitomie Fitness Sonic Boom M2 High-Speed Jump Rope
GREAT FOR CROSSFIT
For a rope that is built to keep up with fast workouts, try the Sonic Boom M2 High-Speed Jump Rope. Designed with CrossFit users in mind, the Sonic Boom has premium 360-degree ball bearings and anti-slip silicone grips. The screw-free jump rope is self-locking and comes with two adjustable 10 ft polymer-coated speed cables. Store your jump rope at home or keep it safe when traveling to the gym thanks to the travel bag included with each purchase. Great for those who are new to jump rope workouts, the Sonic Boom comes with a free online training course that teaches users a variety of jump rope workout routines.
For a skipping rope the whole family can enjoy, we recommend the OHYAIAYN Soft Beaded Jump Rope set. Two jump ropes are included in the package and are made with soft beads and ergonomic, anti-slip handles. Fun for kids, adults and seniors who want to keep moving, the brightly colored jump ropes are designed to resist tangles. The beads make a tick-tick sound when they hit the floor, which can help users who are new to jump rope learn how to keep their rhythm. At nine feet long, the ropes are well-suited to shorter users and can be adjusted.
If you’re ready to make a major commitment to jump rope exercises, the Crossrope Jump Rope Get Strong Set is worth the investment. One of our top picks for jump ropes, the Crossrope is designed with a fast-clip connection system that makes it easy for users to switch between several weighted ropes for a customized workout. The durable weighted ropes are tangle-resistant and appropriate for beginners all the way up to seasoned jumpers. We also like that Crossrope has an app that includes hundreds of easy to follow workouts.
For a jump rope with tech that will keep your fitness on track, we like the Multifun Jump Rope. Available in black, blue and pink, the jump rope includes a smart counter in the handle that displays jumping speed, a timer and circles jumped. Users can easily input their weight using the push buttons next to the LED screen to get an accurate readout of calories burned. Not only does Multifun make it easy for users to track their progress, but the rope is also made from durable stainless steel and protected with PVC. The nine-foot rope is adjustable and designed with smooth ball bearings to help reduce the chance of tangles.
Getting tangled is one of the quickest ways to end a jump rope workout early, but with the Degol Skipping Rope, users will be able to get their sweat on without getting tripped up. The smooth and fast ball-bearing system integrated into each Degol skipping rope protects against twisting or winding. The PVC embedded wire rope makes for a durable and long-lasting jump rope that is ideal for Crossfit, endurance training, warm-up exercises and strength training. The nine-foot-long rope is easy to adjust and can be used by adults and children.
Think you can’t build muscles from jump rope training? Think again. The AUTUWT Weighted Jump Rope makes it possible to see those gains thanks to its weighted polyester material that helps users build muscle while also getting in some serious cardio. Customers can choose between 9 and 9.2-foot ropes that are 1 or 1.5 inches thick. Using a weighted rope can be tough on the hands, which is why we like that AUTUWT includes a pair of protective gloves with each rope.
The TANGRAM Smart Jump Rope Rookie is not the double dutch jump rope of your childhood. The smart rope connects via Bluetooth to the SmartRope mobile app, which can be accessed through iOS or Android operating systems as well as the Apple Watch. The app collects precise data about calories burned, the number of jumps, time spent jumping and more for a fully customized workout experience. The app helps to keep users motivated by unlocking rewards, challenging them to interval workouts and competing with other app users. Available in four sleek color options, the fully adjustable skipping rope has an impressive tech battery life that can last up to nine months.
Want to integrate a jump rope into your exercise regime but don’t have enough clearance space in your workout area? No problem. The Benvo Weighted Ropeless Jump Rope gives users all the benefits of a jump rope exercise without the actual rope. The padded grips are designed with removable .3 ounce weights for a total weight of .68 pounds. Industrial grade steel tips create a fast spinning jump rope experience without the risk of tripping on a rope or hitting the ceiling or shins. Appropriate for all heights and ages, the Benvo ropeless jump rope is available in four color options and comes with a storage bag that makes this a great exercise item to use when traveling.
For a traditional jump rope that will last for years, we like the RDX Adjustable Leather Gym Skipping Jump Speed Rope. RDX uses 100% cowhide leather for their nine-foot rope, a durable and long-lasting product that users can exercise with for years. The leather won’t retain shapes or kinks, even when not stored properly. The flexible rope is attached to wooden handles and comes with removable weights that are designed for users who want to use the RDX as a speed rope.
Trying to fit in a workout when you have kids can be tough, but opting for an exercise they can do with you is a great way to get the whole family moving. Jump rope is an excellent activity for kids that helps them have fun while exercising. Sackorange sells a set of four kid-appropriate jump ropes with brightly colored wooden handles that feature silly animal faces. The cotton and nylon rope is non-toxic and won’t injure kids if they make a misstep.
