Getting in shape isn’t suppose to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
There are hundreds of options when it comes to cardio. Stair masters, treadmills, ellipticals, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), you name it. One of the best ways to get in shape fast is jumping rope. It not only burns fat, but builds lean muscle.
Jumping rope is one of the simplest forms of cardio, but also one of the most effective ways to workout. Your legs, arms, and core are all targeted when jumping rope creating a great all-in-one workout.
To get started, you need a jump rope. In the fitness industry, jump ropes come in hundreds of styles, categories and skill levels. From weighted ropes, to speed ropes, and even all-purpose ropes, picking the right jump rope can be confusing.
Sifting through articles until you find your perfect jump rope is even more frustrating. Fret not, if you want the best jump rope money can buy or an affordable option this list will cover three categories of the best jump ropes and even dive into their downsides.
Let’s begin.
Best Jump Rope for Speed – Sonic Boom M2 High-Speed Jump Rope
If you’re looking for a thin jump rope that will get the heart rate up, look no further than the Sonic Boom M2 High-Speed Jump Rope.
The rope’s price point is right where you’d expect it to be — affordable. Yet still, the Sonic Boom has all the bells and whistles for the speed jumper. It’s named the Sonic Boom, of course it’s fast.
Let’s start with the handles … the most important part of any jump rope in my opinion.
There’s nothing worse a handle slipping out of your hand during a workout and these make it difficult to happen. The rope’s steel handles are covered with a silicone grip that makes slippage with sweaty hands impossible. The stainless steel metal that meets where the rope begins is a nice touch as well. Most jump ropes are poorly made in this aspect and will actually fray the rope from constant rubbing and rotation.
The Sonic BoomThe Sonic Boom also has a proprietary self-locking design which means rope length is easy to adjust and the loosening of screws or caps aren’t likely to occur.
Inside the handle is a 360-degree spin bearing system to help influence and increase rotation speed. This is standard for speed ropes, but it’s nice to include this considering the high speeds you’ll be hoping to target while using this rope.
The rope itself is where personal choice comes into play. For me, speed specific ropes aren’t what I’m looking for. If you’re a beginner, getting going and going for a long time might be harder than you think. Jumping rope is about rhythm and keeping consistency. Speed ropes don’t offer a heavier rope that packs its own inertia behind each swing making it easier to use.
With 10-foot long speed cables, if you misstep, you’ll feel it. Due to speed rope’s thinness, the rope will hit against you aggressively based on the speed. I’ve also found that it’s difficult to roll up and keep the shape from tangling when storing, but that’s the case with most ropes. Once you get going it should take care of itself.
This doesn’t take away from the fact that this is the best jump rope for speed purposes. If you’re looking specifically for that, the Sonic Boom M2 High-Speed Jump Rope is an easy choice.
One final note. Find a good pair of gym shoes and make sure they’re tied tight as you increase your speed.
Best Weighted Jump Rope – Crossrope Jump Rope
I’ll warn you off the rip, you better love jumping rope before you decide to spend the money on the Crossrope Jump Rope.
The Cross Rope is an expensive weighted jump rope which is what turns people away at first. Once you consider everything that comes in the package, it’s a little more understandable. This rope comes in both the Get Lean or Get Strong set and their price points vary a little.
In the Get Lean package, you’ll be using the brand’s slim handles. These handles are a little more streamlined and less bulky than the power handles. The precision steel bearings offer smooth rotation when jumping even with a heavy rope. The rope is attached using a fast clip connection system that makes switching between 1/4 lb and 1/2 lb ropes easier than ever.
I like this feature considering you don’t need to purchase another jump rope, just an additional heavier one that Cross Rope sells.
The rope is durable and the combination of handle and heavy rope creates a tangle-free experience. Like I said with the speed rope, there’s nothing more annoying than tangling between sets and the Cross Rope eliminates this issue even with a thinner weighted rope. Weighted ropes pretty much never have this problem based on their thickness.
If you want to step your game up a little, there’s the Get Strong set. The handles are designed the same as the Get Lean rope, but they’re made to handle the heavier ropes of one and two lbs.
The most intriguing part of the entire package is the free workout app association. The brand is focused on building a community of jump ropers and from experience, I can tell you that running out of workouts to do with a jump rope is an every week battle.
The app is available for download without purchasing the rope (which makes it a little odd that they’d make such a big deal about it), but like anything, Cross Rope hopes you won’t be using the app without the rope to go along with it. There are plenty of other fitness apps that can do the same thing.
One thing you have to consider before purchasing this rope is the sizing and making sure you pick the appropriate one based on your height. The rope comes in small, medium, large and extra-large and sizing is laid out with recommendations on their website. Sizing seems to be accurate and gives a few inches of leeway, but I’d recommend if you’re a tweener in size to go with the longer option..
Choosing a weighted jump rope is all about your goals, but if you’re looking, the Cross Rope Jump Rope is the best weighted jump rope on the market.
Best All-Purpose Jump Rope – Survival and Cross Jump Rope
If you’re looking for a standard, low price point jump rope, then Survival and Cross is the one for you.
One of the best selling jump ropes on the internet, Survival and Cross doesn’t lack quality because it’s on the cheaper side. It’s listed as a “speed jump rope,” but I’d consider this more of a standard rope size.
The rope’s handles measure five inches long and provide a firm grip with two rubber end caps that seal the rope in after cutting or tieing. The rope itself is 10 feet long and made of a rubber-coated steel cable wire. Customizing the length of the rope is easier than others through the use of two collars and screws if you prefer not to cut it.
For all you boxers and CrossFiters out there, this rope was recommended considered the best jump rope for boxing and CrossFit workouts. It’s also travel-ready if you’re moving from gym to gym depending on your type of training. This encourages individuals to bring the rope with them instead of using a jump rope at your gym that doesn’t fit you.
Survival and Cross’s website recommends avoiding use on concrete due to the rubberized coating. This causes expedited wear and tear and once a shard of steel cable comes poking through the rope the next place for it will be the trash.
Now for the downsides of this jump rope.
If you’re going to purchase a less expensive jump rope, expect there to be some issues with the build quality. Loosening of screws, breaking handles and damaged ropes have been some of the complaints from buyers in the past. If you’re expecting the same quality as the Cross Rope then you’re going to need to shell out some money.
The Survival and Cross are exactly what it’s described as. This can be used and is one of the best jump rope for beginners and the casual jump roper. If you’re looking for a good workout or getting into jumping rope, this is for you.
Best Jump Rope Review – Ask a Fitness Expert Today
From finding the best jump rope to ramping up your workouts, Ask the Fitness Expert is your hub for advice from beginner to expert.
The idea is simple, if you need an honest opinion to cut out the BS from other uninformed individuals, ask real fitness professionals. Discussions are endless from blogs for every day people that want to take control of their health and fitness.
After starting in January 2006, Ask the Fitness Expert has been giving advice for better results and the best fitness equipment to purchase for over a decade. From the home gym to the bag you bring with you to the rec center, choose the right equipment.
Whether it’s at home or a membership gym of your choosing, don’t go in uninformed. Trust Ask the Fitness Expert for all your fitness answers.
Looking for more? Take a look at our article about The Best Push Sled. Our Avatar Nutrition review is fire too!
