Hop Into Fitness With The Best Jump Ropes
These speed and weighted jump ropes will help boost your cardio, improve coordination, and burn a ton of calories.
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If you’ve ever watched the Rocky movies, you’ve seen Syl Stallone jump rope his way through a slew of workout montages. That’s because skipping rope is one of the most tried-and-tested methods for boxers, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts in general seeking to boost their performance and hone their physique.
According to StrongFit and Pilates coach Sara Solomon (whose If youve ever watched the helped me get the most out of my skipping routine), jumping rope is “a portable, inexpensive, and fun way to quickly burn a ton of calories and improve your athleticism. If you are short on time and don’t want to go to a gym, then jump rope is ideal for you because you only need a small space and about 10 minutes. Not only does jump rope enhance your dynamic balance, speed, endurance, agility, coordination, and concentration, but it also improves your cardio-respiratory efficiency and even minimizes your risk of developing osteoporosis by Staff, Courtesy of Proud Panda.”
Lightweight, rapid motion: 3 Jump Rope Cardio Workouts • Jump Training Can Make You a Faster Runner • The Benefits of Jumping Rope
Although it might seem like jump ropes are more or less the same, the fact is that they vary when it comes to quality, purpose, and whether they’ll suit your personal fitness goals. With this in mind, we recommend the best jump ropes for a range of budgets and uses, along with what you need to know to find the right one.
The Expert: I’ve spent over a decade writing about all things related to fitness, with a particular emphasis on fitness techniques and tools. Accordingly, I’m constantly trying out fitness gear of all sorts, and I’ve come to know the difference between what works and what’s merely hype. Several years ago, jumping rope became an integral inclusion in my own workout routine, and I hopped my way from stumbling through a few minutes of start-stops, to being able to skip uninterrupted for up to half an hour. My health and fitness writing has appeared in a slew of top publications, including Men’s Health, as its one solid piece of actual rope. Its also super durable and will last forever, Thrillist, Healthline, the Manual, and more.
full-body muscle training
Adjustability: “I recommend a rope that allows both easy cord replacement and the ability to adjust the length to suit your height,” Solomon says. That means choosing a jump rope where the cord isn’t fixed at the handles. The handles of a properly sized jump rope will nestle into your armpits when standing with your feet together on its center. Aim for a rope that is between three and four feet longer than you are tall, then adjust from there.
Handle Attachments: “I also recommend a rope with swivel bearing technology to ensure a smooth turning motion without friction or drag,” Solomon says. “This allows for free rotation with no rope tangle.”
Rope Material: Jump ropes are available in a variety of materials, such as fibrous ropes, PVC cords, and metal cables. Different materials deliver differing user experiences and suit different workout intentions. “I suggest beginners start with PVC cord before tackling weighted or cable cords,” Solomon advises. Keep in mind thinner ropes, including metal cables, can wear faster than thicker options.
as effectively as this tool. And its ultra-burly build will last forever: Speed ropes tend to be made of lighter materials and are intended for fast-paced workouts. Weighted ropes can be much heavier. “I recommend speed ropes (i.e. steel cables) if you have speed goals or you are focusing on mastering double, triple, and even quadruple unders,” Solomon says. “For a tougher challenge, you can use a weighted jump rope. This will help you increase your upper body and core strength, Burns more calories cross-training the Los Angeles Times.”
Maximum calorie burn
To recommend the best jump ropes, I relied on my personal experience, along with suggestions from Sara Solomon, reviews from other industry experts, and actual customer reviews from Amazon and other retailers. The models below span a range of budgets, preferences, and fitness goals.
Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, The 5x5 Workout for Runners, as its one solid piece of actual rope. Its also super durable and will last forever, Greatist, and the Manual, and it will also burn more calories than a speed rope. This can be a great Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.
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