Small, handy, and a total all-rounder – that is the jump rope. It is a compact piece of exercise equipment that can conveniently be taken anywhere. Jumping rope used to be a staple of childhood in the 70s and 80s, but as a fitness accessory, the jump rope comes equipped with entirely different features. But what should you look for when buying a jump rope (also known as a skip rope, skipping rope, or speed rope)?
The jump rope as training equipment
Who doesn't know them: the scenes in famous boxing movies where the protagonist starts off with intense jump rope as a warm-up exercise. And at a rapid speed, sometimes incorporating variations reminiscent of acrobatics when suddenly swinging the rope twice during a single jump instead of once. Or crossing arms and jumping over it. Professional skipping ropes only share their basic appearance with the toy for kids. Between two handles, there is a rope swung over and under the body in a circular motion while jumping up into the air at the same time. Modern jump ropes are found everywhere: in fitness gyms, boxing and martial arts studios, functional and CrossFit boxes, and still in regular school gyms as well. Nowadays, there are ropes made of steel, plastic, or leather. The handles vary as well. It fundamentally depends on the primary purpose you want the rope to serve as training equipment.
Full-body workout with a focus on coordination and endurance
Jump rope training is not only suitable for a great cardio workout, it is also fun, can be varied, and trains coordination at the same time. You constantly have to pay attention to when the ideal timing comes in each rotation to cleanly jump over the rope. It is very suitable for a warm-up because you have to move your whole body. It plays a major role whether the jump rope is optimally adjusted to your height. Modern ropes can now be length-adjusted via an adjustment screw at at least one or even both ends. Tip: Stand centered on the rope with your workout shoes on. The handle of the rope should end under your armpits on both sides, or the rope itself just below the middle of your chest.
The special structure of a jump rope: Handles, ball bearings, and rope
As fitness equipment, jump ropes today usually feature variably adjustable ropes in the middle, and many have ball-bearing handles. A ball bearing enables a particularly smooth rotation of the rope in the air and prevents it from twisting. What's important for all of them is that the handle is designed to fit securely in your hand without slipping. Therefore, many feature a foam-covered handle that effectively prevents slipping while jumping. Some models have a small computer integrated into the handle. This can count the number of jumps, saving you the tedious task of counting manually. Many steel cables are coated with PVC/plastic so that the rope lasts longer and does not wear down so quickly on the floor. The handles have one or two holes through which the rope is threaded and then secured with a locking screw. Ball bearings are also common, though there are differences in quality.
Which jump rope to buy?
The type of jump rope you need depends entirely on your intended purpose. If you mainly want versatility—both for warming up and perhaps for speed later on—go for a universal jump rope, also referred to as a jump rope. You should be able to comfortably grip the handles with your hands. However, as a rule of thumb: the shorter the handle, the more beginner-friendly it is to handle and swing. Advanced athletes or professionals tend to opt for a lightweight model, such as a speed rope or a leather jump rope. These are great for speed, but require better coordination and are generally better suited for experienced users. If the ball-bearing swivel is of particularly high quality, even greater speed is possible. A bare steel cable without plastic coating is better suited for concrete and asphalt, whereas softer surfaces like wood or sports flooring require softer rope materials like plastic or leather.
Buying criteria for a training jump rope
So, before buying, think carefully about when you plan to use the jump rope and whether it will be used outdoors or indoors. Reasonable universal jump ropes are available from around 20 euros. You should also pay attention to the following points:
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Handles: They should be ergonomically shaped and, if necessary, have knurling for a better grip. Good training ropes should be adjustable in length.
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Workmanship: Handles with ball bearings are best, as the rope rotation can be performed most effectively and quickly without the rope getting tangled or knotted. Therefore, the ball bearing should be crafted to a high quality standard.
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Rope diameter: This should be as thin as possible. The thinner the rope, the less weight goes into the circular motion, and your feet only need to lift minimally off the ground.
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Additional features: If you want a digital counter in the handle, a small technology module with a display should be built in. If you want to integrate jump rope into your strength training, make sure that additional weights can be inserted into the handles.
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Accessories: Some models already include a replacement rope for later replacement. If you don't want to miss your rope while on the go, look for an included carrying bag.
Overall, the jump rope is a great and versatile piece of sports equipment that not only works well for warming up, but can also easily be integrated into your endurance training. And you can truly squeeze in a quick jumping session anywhere if you like and have enough space.
