Jump rope

A jump rope is a light rope with a handle at each end. You swing it around your body and jump as it passes beneath your feet. It is also called a skipping rope.

Rope and handle choices

A simple PVC rope is a useful all-round choice for regular skipping. A beaded rope has plastic segments around a cord: you can feel its path and hear it touch the floor, which can help you find a rhythm. Both are worth considering while you’re learning.

Thin steel-cable speed ropes suit fast turns and double unders, where the rope passes under your feet twice in one jump. Their light feel gives you less feedback than a thicker rope. With weighted models, check where the extra weight sits: heavier handles and a heavier rope feel quite different when you swing them.

Adjusting the length

An adjustable rope gives you room to find your own setting. Start with the manufacturer’s sizing guide, then test a few relaxed jumps with your elbows close to your sides. A rope that repeatedly catches your feet may be too short, while one that drags a long way across the floor may be too long. Timing and hand position matter too, so change the length in small steps.

Check whether you can shorten the rope reversibly or have to cut it. Try the setting before cutting, especially if several people will use it. Smoothly turning handles and a fastening that holds the chosen length are more useful than a counter you won’t use.

Surface and wear

Rough paving wears down ropes and cable coatings. Choose a rope rated for your surface, or use a suitable skipping mat with enough room for the rope to pass. Look for replaceable ropes or cables if you’ll use it often. Replace frayed cords and cables with exposed, broken strands; a worn rope is easy to overlook when the handles still look new.

Use a clear area with enough room above and around you. Check the rope and handles before starting. A jump rope is different from the heavy anchored battle ropes used to make waves by moving your arms.

Working out with jump rope

You can perform the following exercises with jump rope.