The 12 Best Jump Ropes, According to Editors and an Olympic Boxer

Get fighting fit with these jump ropes.

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THE JUMP ROPE is one of the best total body workouts to stand the test of time. Simple in practice, the jump rope works almost every major body system simultaneously. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the muscular and skeletal systems, the nervous system, and the lymphatic system. For those who are interested in, or already train in martial arts or boxing, it's a great way to develop both the mind-body and hand-eye coordination. This is why it's seen in almost every fight camp or boxing gym under the sun. Looking to burn a few calories? This is the way.

While fancy Pilates machines and indoor rowing machines are now popular staples on living room floors, we’ll never overlook the quality of a good jump rope.

This affordable and effective accessory is a great way to get fit; it requires minimal space and you can perform the workouts anywhere on Earth. Tony Jeffries is a former Olympic bronze medalist and one of the world’s most renowned boxing educators. Having an impressive 9-0-1 professional boxing record, one Olympic medal, and a seven Great Britain titles, Jeffries knows something about boxing and all things required to be in elite fighting shape. This experience made him the perfect person to provide guide when looking for the best jump rope.

Read below to check out our favorite jump ropes, considerations to make when buying, and a few tips on how to get started.

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The best place to start is ensuring the rope is the proper length for you. A simple trick is to stand on the middle of the rope and pull the handles upward. If it's an ideal length, the handles should reach your armpits. Another trick that Jeffries like to use is to hold the handles by his rib cage, if the rope touches the ground you should be golden.

For those just starting their rope jumping journey, a slightly longer rope may be best to allow more leeway while you master the rhythm and timing of the exercise. Once you get more comfortable, you can shorten up that rope to crank up the speed an intensity, so that's a consideration for any veteran rope jumpers.

Numerous materials exist for differing ropes, but this will affect durability and revolutions per minute—aka speed. Here are a few common materials.

This is the old school version that boxers like Muhammed Ali were using back in the day, heavier and harder to move. But also very durable.

This is a great option for those who are looking for speed, and also a material that doesn't hurt too bad on contact.

This option is good for beginners, as it typically hurts less on contact. The larger the beads, the more the weight, and vice versa.

This is the quickest option, but also hurts a little more when you miss.

Your personal goals will impact what type of rope you should buy. If speed and endurance are your thing, you may opt for a speed rope with vinyl-coating steel or PVC. These are the kinds of ropes that you will more likely see in boxing gyms, being used for cardio work and drills. If you are looking to do different position switches and skips, you probably want a PVC rope. These kinds of rope are probably the best option when it comes to building that hand-eye coordination. There are also heavier ropes, made of materials like leather, that are used to build additional strength utilizing the same movement patterns.

This will largely depend on the materials it is made from, but quality craftsmanship can also play a role. Handles also come into play, as higher-quality ropes use ball bearings or swivel handles to minimize wear over time. In most cases, the handles are the first thing to go on jump ropes. Some ropes are designed to be used in the living room at home, and only there, while other more hardcore ropes can be kicked around the gym and thrown into the gym bag. Think about how tough you are going to be on your rope before you make a final selection.

Men's Health editors, made up in part by certified trainers and quite a few boxing hobbyists, started with jump ropes that we have used personally over the years at home, in our testing gym, while visiting training camps, and our own local facilities. Starting with that base knowledge, we consulted with experts in our expansive fitness network, like Tony Jeffries, to determine what factors we all look for in a quality jump rope. This network includes industry experts and additional boxing coaches, who helped suggest more products for us to test for durability, reliability, and efficiency. We then put these suggestions to the test during our own training at home.Below, we curated a list of gym-tested jump ropes that will help you burn calories, develop hand-eye coordination, and build lean muscle mass.

While your initial reaction may be to want to scoff at a $9 jump rope from Amazon, just hear us out on this one. This rope is the total package. While we could go on about how durable it is, its affordability, its ability to never tangle, or its super cushy handles, what we think separates this pick from the pack is its thoughtful construction that utilizes dust-proof bearings. This helps to resist gunk and grime that can accumulate over time, leading to less than smooth rope transitions.

But while our pick for best jump rope overall might seem cheaply made, it is far from it thanks to its PVC-coated steel wire rope that can be adjusted from its original length of 9 feet. You would generally expect to find it running twice the cost for a rope this jammed-packed with features, but for $9 you won’t be scoffing anymore.

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When it comes to finding a jump rope for those who are a little tight on cash, this option from Boombioo is another great bet. Even though the price may be low, this rope is anything but that with its durable construction.

Where we feel it makes its biggest difference from other less expensive ropes is its tangle-free PVC material rope, ensuring that no matter how long you use it, it retains its shape, skip after skip. The look of it is also simple and sleek, allowing it to fit into a number of scenarios and environments.

This pro-level, gym-ready rope bears the name of CrossFit legend Rich Froning for a reason: The brand worked directly with the athlete to develop it. The result is a durable speed rope with a polyurethane cable and TPE overmold diamond-pattern handles with aluminum heads that bear Froning's logo.

While there are many ropes dubbed CrossFit-worthy, the Froning Speed 2.0 takes that up a notch. With so many WODs revolving around double-unders when jump ropes are the Rx of the day, you need a rope that's responsive and lightning quick—this rope is that rope. The secret lies in its smooth operating bearings and diamond-pattern handles, so you’ll always jump fast and you won’t lose your grip, no matter how much you sweat.

Crossrope brings an extra heft to your jump rope workouts, with a simple clip system that allows you to switch between light (green, .25 pound) and heavy ropes (white, .5 pound or gray, 1 pound). The handles are heavy-duty with extra grip to help you hold on even when you're sweaty. This Bluetooth-enabled system maximizes your time spent skipping thanks to its adjustable ropes, an excellent pick for H.I.I.T. or endurance-based routines.

The app provides routines to do while you get sweaty, while the AMP handles use smart tech to track your workouts and progress. Want a challenge without busting out your phone? Try a workout that involves switching back and forth between the ropes, like a drop set.

If you’re the guy who has the need for speed, this is the speed rope for you. This surprisingly heavy-duty rope is a go-to for those who are serious about CrossFit to those who love to bounce around and float like a butterfly in the ring, so you know it's made to handle anything you can throw at it.

The knurled (note that it's grip-friendly) aluminum handles are under warranty for five years, and the dual-bearing handle system allows for smoother skipping. Its anti-friction proprietary bearing placement makes the trick to its ultra-fast spins possible. Less wasted movement equals a much more enjoyable workout.

Beaded jump ropes are the perfect selection for those looking to freestyle some signature moves. The trick (pun intended) lies in the weight and feedback of the rope. Beaded ropes have more heft, helping with momentum and maintaining their shape. An audible feedback also exists thanks to their “click” as they strike the ground, helping with rhythm and timing.

This EliteSRS is the cream of the crop in speed ropes. Thanks to their shatterproof beads, whether you’re a beginner looking to master their first side swing or an expert looking to string together multiple crisscrosses, this rope can take a beating. They are handmade in Washington and thanks to their unbreakable handles, you can ensure that even if you’re not a pro, this rope surely is. If you want to feel like a kid again and have fun while not feeling like you’re doing cardio, this is the rope for you.

Yes, this is exactly what it looks like: a jump rope without a rope. Stick with us for this one.

The Aplugtek Jump Rope uses weighted handles with short leads attached to solid balls to mimic the feel of skipping with a real rope without actually needing to swing one around. The concept sounds weird, but the low-impact tool could give people who don't have a ton of room to work with a good alternative on the days they want to get their heart rate pumping.

Even if you won't build the same type of coordination you would with an actual rope, you'll never need to worry about tripping yourself up. So if you find yourself getting caught and tangled (let alone frustrated) with traditional ropes, this might be a great starting point.

There are weighted jump ropes, then there are the Proud Panda Heavy Weighted Jump Ropes. While some have options to load-up a pound or two, these beastly ropes come in 2, 3, or 5-pound increments. But the real reason we love these so much is the actual rope construction—made with polymer synthetic fiber, it feels more like you’re skipping around a mini battle rope as opposed to a child’s jump rope.

While others may give you a slightly bigger shoulder burn, these ropes will engage your entire body. Your shoulders will be thrashed, your back and calves will be spent, your lungs will be burning, and your abs will scream for mercy. Oh, and the thermoplastic-coated handles ensure no blisters will develop in the making of a jacked new you.

There is smart tech for everything nowadays, your jump rope included. When improving your health is vital, you need metrics to track progress. The Tangram smart rope takes the guesswork out of the equation.

Jumping and counting at the same time is so yesterday thanks to this high-tech jump rope. Built-in LED lights let you know once you have successfully synched your Bluetooth to the app to start working out. Like many smart fitness devices, this rope allows you to track your skips, calories burned, and even lets you compete in jump-offs with your friends. One-time sync stores up to 100 sets of fitness stats. All you have to do is a quick little glance down at your phone to see where your rep count is.

Few names in jump ropes are actually legendary, and Buddy Lee is that name. Former Olympian, Lee developed a patented swivel bearing system and a comprehensive training program that takes jump rope cardio to a whole other level.

The Rope Master Jump Rope from Buddy Lee comes with an O-ring swivel-bearing that makes it virtually impossible to tangle. It’s intentionally designed to help you achieve double, triple, and quadruple unders with ease. But where this rope separates itself from the pack is in the design of its much longer-than-average, 9-inch handles. This gives the user ample grip space when mastering various tricks for freestyle routines to cross-training speed workouts.

If Jason Momoa gets behind a brand, especially one that emphasizes heritage-made sports gear, count us on board. Modest Vintage Player puts the craftsmanship back into your favorite workout gear by utilizing skilled leather artisans that infuse equipment with longevity to become heirlooms that can be handed down for generations to come.

The leather jump rope gives you the classic old-school vibes by upgrading to modern tech like a smooth spinning bearing system, ensuring you still get the most out of your skipping session. The wooden handles give the perfect finishing touch to a beautifully bespoken jump rope.

Few people know what's required out of a great jump rope better than Tony Jeffries, a former Olympic boxer who has since become one of the most trusted voices in the sport. This is the reason we look to him for his input on the best jump ropes, and why he's since gone on to create his own product.

Jeffries is the first one to say that there are a lot of options when it comes to jump ropes, and his might not be the best option for everyone. The boxing coach admits that he has been known to use an extension cord or simple wire when in a pinch, that did the job. But if you're looking for a quality jump rope, manufactured with wire surrounded by PVC, built for speed and mobility, this is a great pick.

It doesn't hurt that the jump rope also comes with instructional videos, sure to help you develop your skills, created by Jeffries.

When jumping rope, keep the following guidelines from Jeffries in mind:

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