An affordable and compact piece of exercise equipment, the best jump ropes are a perfect staple for any home gym or gym bag. This small but mighty pick can completely transform your workout.
Jumping rope increases your natural endorphins, which puts you in a good mood and increases your energy and libido. What most people don’t realize is that jumping rope will actually burn more fat and calories than running, swimming, or biking. It not only puts your cardiovascular system to use, but also helps to build muscle strength, improve coordination, and even boost metabolism.
You don’t have to be athletic or coordinated to start jumping rope, but make sure that your rope is sized correctly to your height is critical as well as maintaining proper form and a little practice.
If you’re a jump rope beginner, we offer these important tips:
- Arm positioning: Keep your chest up, core engaged, and arms close to your body. If your arms are too wide, it will shorten the length of the rope and you’ll likely trip.
- Utilize your wrists: Jumping rope is all about recruiting your wrists to do the work instead of moving your arms.
- Keep your head up: Jumping rope is about timing, and if you look down and wait for the rope to pass you then you’ll likely trip. A better approach is to look straight ahead and jump as the rope crosses your line of sight, which will guarantee better rhythm as you skip.
- Take a video of yourself: Practice makes perfect, and just a little bit of practice each and every day will help you get better and better. Watch YouTube videos of tutorials to help you visualize the proper movement, and take a video of yourself to check your form.
- Properly size your rope: To size your rope, stand on the middle of the rope with one foot and bring both handles up to your shoulders. The rope should come up to your shoulders, no higher and no lower. Make sure to buy a rope that you can either cut to your size or one that comes according to height.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to select that perfect jump rope to add to your fitness repertoire. Here are the best jump ropes of 2021.
BEST JUMP ROPE FOR BEGINNERS
1. Professional Adjustable Steel Wire Jump Rope
The steel wire is covered and the comfortable handles make for ease of use. Especially for the low price, the rope is pretty good quality and lightweight.
Reasons to buy
- Affordable choice
- Comfortable handles
Reasons to avoid
- Not ideal for outdoor workouts or on cement
BEST SPEED JUMP ROPE
2. Speed Jump Rope
This well-designed pick is affordable. It’s a high quality choice that is durable and great for complex movements. It comes in a variety of colors and is designed for speed, making it great for boxing, MMA, CrossFit, and most workouts.
Reasons to buy
- High-quality and durable
- Made for speed
Reasons to avoid
- Not ideal for outdoor workouts or on cement
BEST VALUE JUMP ROPE
3. Adjustable Jump Rope
Some jump ropes can be difficult to size, but this rope is easy to cut to adjust to your preference. It comes with a bag for easy storage and love its affordable price-point.
Reasons to buy
- Lightweight
- Very affordable option
Reasons to avoid
- Not as durable as others on the list
BEST SMART JUMP ROPE
4. Smart Jump Rope Rookie
This jump rope syncs via bluetooth with the SmartRope mobile app to help keep track of workout metrics like jump count and calories burned. It requires lithium coin batteries that fit right inside the handle. It keeps track of data and connects to Apple Health and Google Fitness. They also make an option with LED lights.
Reasons to buy
- Available in a variety of colors
- Keeps track of workout data
Reasons to avoid
- The rope is too lightweight
BEST COMFORT-GRIP JUMP ROPE
5. Adjustable Jump Rope with Carrying Pouch
We love this affordable jump rope choice that comes with a carrying pouch and booklet. You can use it outside on concrete and the rope is still quite durable. The foam handles make it easy to use as well.
Reasons to buy
- Soft grip
- Can be used outdoors
Reasons to avoid
- Sometimes the rope tangles