The Best Jump Ropes For CrossFit (In 2024)

Exercises such as jumping rope are well known for their fitness benefits and weight-loss applications. Despite that, jumping rope has gained popularity beyond the playground and has become a significant part of CrossFit. During this workout, you swing a rope around your body and leap over it as it crosses beneath your feet. It counts as cardiovascular exercise because the sheer speed raises your heart rate. According to different studies, jumping rope for 10 minutes is approximately similar to running an eight-minute mile, but with less stress on the knees.

Jumping rope at a fast tempo can help you build speed and agility, while other techniques like the double-under (jumping up and looping the rope beneath your feet twice before landing) can help you develop striking power. Others explore more unusual, dance-like motions using the jump rope as a creative release.

Jumping rope has several advantages, including improving cardiovascular health, shaping the body, increasing focus, and improving mental wellness, coordination, and balance. The interesting part is that skipping rope can be done anywhere, whether at home, in a gym, or while on travel.

Different types of Jump Ropes 

Jump ropes are divided into four categories: basic, speed, weighted, and beaded.

• Basic – Beginners should use basic jump ropes. They’re usually the cheapest, but they still give you a solid workout. Speed ropes are bulkier than basic jump ropes, although they are thinner than weighted jump ropes. The majority is composed of plastic, with rubber or foam handles.

• Speed – Speed jump ropes are light and designed to allow you to jump rope quickly for the greatest calorie burn. They’re often composed of thin cords with ball bearings in the handles to allow the rope to rotate quickly. Speed ropes are for expert users who want to burn body fat or target a specific body part with complex techniques like crisscrosses or double-unders.

• Weighted – Jump ropes with weights develop your arms and shoulders. They have excessive pounds built into the grips or cable, ranging from 1 to 6 pounds. The added weight causes you to use more energy, resulting in a more intense workout that both strengthens you and burns fat. Weighted ropes are typically used by professional jumpers, but they can also be used by beginners. Because weighted ropes take longer to jump than speed ropes, a beginner jumper can concentrate on rhythm, timing, and technique.

• Beaded – A nylon or steel inner cord is enclosed in plastic beads in beaded ropes, also known as fragmented jump ropes. The rope isn’t particularly hefty, but the beads add some weight. Beaded ropes are stronger and smoother than speed ropes, making them ideal for warm-ups before tackling double-under sets or speed exercises. The majority of beaded ropes are tangle-free and retractable.

Jump Ropes used in CrossFit

It varies from person to person, and on the requirements and the regime. 

• Speed ropes are commonly used in CrossFit for double-unders. Their tiny wires and frictionless bearings give enough speed for the rope to pass beneath your feet two (or three) times with each leap. Even if you’re not at the stage where you can do double-unders, getting a speed rope will help you practice and learn the feel of the rope until you figure out the dubs.
• The jump rope handles are important at intermediate and higher skill levels of CrossFit. Consider grip comfort, bearing speed, and durability while choosing one. Aluminium handles are light and have a longer lifespan. Maintaining grip is easy with knurled and contoured handles. 
• If you’re new to jumping rope in CrossFit, choose a smoother, bulkier cable that moves slower. Upgrade to a thinner, faster rope after you can successfully do double-unders with it. 

How To Adjust Your Jump Rope To The Right Length

When in question regarding the length of a jump rope, choose a longer rope and adjust it rather than a rope that is too tight for you. Following are the 5 simple steps to quickly and effectively modify the length of your jump rope

1. Stand in the middle of your rope

Align both of your feet on the rope midway, allowing a 1-2 inch space between them. To get an appropriate length of the rope, each end of the rope must be an identical length from the midway

2. Tug the rope tightly

Lift the rope up until it is taut and keep the grip stable. Carefully look on your chest to observe where the handles end.

3. Determine the length of the handles

For amateurs, the apex of the handles should reach the armpit, and for pros, the apex of the handles should reach the nipple line. It is recommended to place your rope handles around 6 inches below your collarbone

4. Set the length of your rope

Pull the rope through one of the handles to adjust the length of your rope. Release the retaining screw and slide it along the rope to keep it at the proper length. Put it back and double-check that the rope is now the proper length. You may need to repeat this step a few times until you’re satisfied with the size of the jump rope.

5. Remove any excess wire

When you’re comfortable with the overall length of the rope, use wire cutters to cut off the extra wire. Remember to maintain the little tip at the end of the rope so you may slip it over the new end to keep the wire from unravelling.

A guideline to selecting the best CrossFit Jump Rope

The jump rope market offers many different types of jump ropes, and a newbie may think they’re all the same or find it difficult to choose one. The following are some aspects on which you can calculate one according to your requirements. 

Length

Longer ropes are generally needed for taller individuals. When looking at the length of a jump rope for CrossFit, there are two factors to consider: static rope length and dynamic rope length. The static length of a rope is the length that it has when it is not in use. The dynamic, on the other hand, is the range of length that the rope spans as you leap. The length of your dynamic rope will be determined by your body size and the exercise you are performing. That is why, while selecting a new jump rope for CrossFit exercise, you should consider static length. The length can be adjusted by following the steps mentioned earlier in the article. 

Weight

The weight of the rope is the second most important factor to consider when purchasing a CrossFit jump rope. Beginners will learn the techniques more easily with a wider cable and stronger rope. When you jump rope with a heavy cable, you can control its movement better and build coordination and expertise. The best rope for intermediates performing 50 double-unders in CrossFit is a mid-weight rope with a diameter of about 3mm. A fine, light-weighted speed rope with a diameter of less than 2mm is often the sole option for expert jumpers, whipping out 100 or more double-unders which also helps to reduce shoulder and wrist strain. If double-unders are your major focus, choose lighter ropes.

Rope Material

Once you’ve determined how lengthy your ideal rope is and how much rope you’ll need for your customised CrossFit exercise, the next crucial aspect is to consider the rope material. There are vinyl cords, nylon ropes, plastic and rubber tubes. In addition to classic rope or leather ropes, beaded jump ropes with plastic sheaths for weight, and steel cable jump ropes are also available. The most popular ropes are constructed of vinyl, plastic or rubber and are suitable for all skill levels, from basic to experienced. Plastic ropes last a respectable amount of time whenever you use them, and they usually come in a variety of colours. There are some alternatives to the classic, including rope made of genuine rope, fabric, or leather, although these generally tend to be lighter and used by athletes with more experience. However, textile or leather ropes do wear out more quickly.

Handle

Along with these essential components, the handle of the jump rope is an important factor to consider. Handles are available in a variety of materials, including plastic, leather, foam, and metal. A decent handle will influence your jumping experience, so make an informed decision. Ergonomic designs with contour grips are ideal for lengthy ski sessions. Longer handles (over 6 inches) are preferable over shorter ones. You risk pinching your knuckles on the wire or having the handle slip out of your hands if the handle is too short. Plastic and hollow handles are unsuitable for creating a regulated spin, and they are difficult to grip with moist palms. Look for handles that have strong, supportive grips that disperse sweat. A swivel mechanism connection is found on the greatest jump ropes for all fitness levels. This permits the rope to freely revolve from the handle. For CrossFit, people from beginner to intermediate levels should use jump ropes with ball bearing weighted grips. The ball bearings in the jump rope handle to distribute the rope’s weight equally throughout its spin. This enables more fluid movement, which leads to better and more efficient leaping for you.

The 7 best jump ropes for CrossFit (in 2022)

There’s sooo many options on the market when it comes to buying the perfect jump rope. From cheap and cheerful, to branded with a big price tag! We wanted to put 7 of the most populate jump ropes to the test, to see which one really is the best for CrossFit.

1. Crossrope

Crossrope is one of the premium jump ropes available on the market. The material used is braided steel with a proprietary rope coating, and the grip is of nylon resin, making it durable. It is also available in a variety of sizes from 8 to 9.6 feet. The ultimate durable ropes are engineered to resist tangling and coiling when not in use, ensuring that a twisted wire doesn’t put you off your game. Additionally, the sleek, ergonomically designed handles have Crossrope’s own proprietary “Fast Clip System,” which allows them to attach and detach the rope fast and firmly. The price of this rope is $119.

Pros: 

• Offers its own app which has access to Crossrope’s 80,000-strong fitness network, which will help in motivation.
• It also offers various length options to accommodate CrossFitters of different heights.
• Even after several years of regular usage, it remains very sturdy and long-lasting.

Cons:

• When compared to other jump ropes, this one is rather pricey.
• As the cables fray, they are unsuitable for outdoor use.

2. Rogue Froning SR-1F 2.0

This updated and new version of Froning SR-1F 2.0 has aluminium heads, a lighter, stiffer handle with a diamond-pattern textured grip, and a high-speed bearing. The material used is a polyurethane cable and It is 10 feet long, covering all heights and possesses a 6.5-inch handle length. The price of this jump rope is $30. 

Pros:

• The cable is adjustable, thin and fast.
• The bearing mechanism facilitates upper rotations, which increases speed.
• The grip is ergonomic, sweat-resistant and comfortable.

Cons:

• Time-consuming to adjust the 10ft cable.
• The cable may tangle easily.

3. Big Grip

The Big Grip speed rope is the lightest and quickest to spin. The cable is 10 feet in length with a 2.55-mm diameter, making it ideal for both beginners and experts. The rubber handle is curved for comfort and is 1″ in diameter by 5.25″ in length. The material used is rubber as an outer material and hard plastic as the inside material. The length can be altered easily. The price of this jump rope is $25.

Pros:

• The cable is adjustable.
• Affordable price.
• The grip is comfortable.

Cons:

• The material used is rubber, which is not durable.
• The cable may tangle easily.

4. Degol

It is the best option for low-cost gear for at-home training. Degol jump rope is made of ‎polyvinyl chloride braided steel wire cable covered in tough PVC. It boasts 6-inch long bearing rotation handles with memory foam grips and the length of the rope is 9 feet. It is perfect for regular, general fitness use. The price of a Degol jump rope is only $10.

Pros:

• Super affordable price.
• The grip is comfortable.

Cons:

• The handles are too thick.
• The cable may tangle easily.

5. WOD Nation

The WOD Nation speed jump rope is a must-have for every Crossfitter or fitness fanatic. The handle is made of nylon resin and features a proprietary four-bearing system. To hold the coated steel cable, there are two bearings in the handle and two on the tips. It is available in various colour options plus offers an extra cable and nylon bag to keep it tangle-free. Its length is 10 feet and the price is $20.

Pros:

• Adjustable and reversible cable length.
• Spare cable and bag.
• Multiple colours option.

Cons:

• Thin plastic handles
• The cable may tangle easily.

6. RPM Session4

RPM Session4 has an adjustable, replaceable cable that allows it to fit any height. The 100% precision machined aluminum handles have a 5-year guarantee and are manufactured with very fine tolerances and dual-bearing anti-friction for the optimal mix of power transfer and free spin. Patented dual-axis rotation prevents torque buildup. This speed rope is lightweight, sleek, and fast, with multiple colour options available at the price tag of $65.

Pros:

• Rotation system with lubricated bushings
• Handles are completely covered with gentle knurling.
• A cotton carrying bag is included with it.

Cons:

• Screws for altering the length are ridiculously tiny.
• Handles are thin.
• It is a naked cable. Any touch with the skin causes pain.

7. Rogue Fitness PRO

Rogue fitness pro is designed for weighted jumping. Each handle weighs one pound and is made of stainless steel. Rogue PRO would be an excellent rope for increasing strength and stamina. The cable itself isn’t particularly heavy, but it is far heavier and thicker than a speed rope. The handles are totally knurled and hence have a good grip despite their thickness. Because the handles are designed with a precision bearing with a 360-degree swivel for maximum rotation. The Rogue PRO is not adjustable, however, it comes in five fixed-length choices from 7.9 feet to 9.1 feet. The price of this jump rope is $114.

Pros:

• Excellent for increasing endurance and stamina.
• The stainless steel handles will not corrode.
• Bearing rope in the grips with a 360-degree swivel

Cons:

• It is not adjustable but comes in five lengths only.
• The thick rope is difficult to store.