Choosing and sizing a jump rope
You do not need an expensive rope. You need one that is the right length and the right type for what you are practising.
Rope types
| Type | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PVC (vinyl) rope | Beginners, general fitness | Cheap, light and easy to adjust. Wears out on concrete. |
| Beaded (segmented) rope | Learning tricks, outdoors | Plastic beads give feedback you can hear and feel; slower turning and more durable on rough ground. |
| Speed (thin coated cable) | Double unders, fast skipping | Very fast and unforgiving; stings when it hits. Better after the basics are solid. |
| Weighted rope or handles | Conditioning, upper-body endurance | Slower turn, more shoulder and grip work. Start light (about 0.25–0.5 kg rope). |
| Cordless "ropes" | Low ceilings, rehab, very small spaces | Handles with short weighted tails. Good cardio, but they do not teach timing. |
How to size a rope
- Stand on the middle of the rope with one foot (or both feet together).
- Pull the handles straight up along your body.
- For beginners, the top of the handles should reach about the armpits. Intermediate skippers often prefer the bottom of the handles at the armpits, and experienced speed skippers go shorter, around the lower chest.
A rough guide by height for a standard rope with handles about 15 cm long:
| Your height | Cable/rope length |
|---|---|
| under 152 cm (5′0″) | about 2.1–2.4 m (7–8 ft) |
| 152–168 cm (5′0″–5′6″) | about 2.4–2.7 m (8–9 ft) |
| 168–183 cm (5′6″–6′0″) | about 2.7–3.0 m (9–10 ft) |
| over 183 cm (6′0″) | about 3.0–3.4 m (10–11 ft) |
Measure with the stand-on-it test anyway: arm length and how wide you hold your hands matter as much as height. Cut a little at a time; you cannot add rope back.
Handles
Look for handles that spin on a bearing or swivel so the rope does not twist, and that are long enough to grip loosely with the fingers rather than a clenched fist.