You don’t have to break the banks to find the ideal fat-fighting tool. Portable, affordable and brilliant for cardio or CrossFit, these are the best skipping ropes…
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It’s common knowledge that a ten-minute skipping session can be as effective as half an hour of running. For those of us who never seem to have enough time to dedicate to full workouts, a skipping rope can be a great way to get short, sharp cardio bursts in. Most are cheap and small enough to keep in a bag, or at work – or both – so you can get your cardio fix whenever the opportunity arises.
Fast-foot rope sessions are also lower impact and brilliant for improving coordination and balance – the foundations for extending your fitness well into your grandpa years.
Lucky, then, that when it comes to gym kit, the humble rope is about as lightweight, affordable and convenient as it comes.
Here’s our tried and tested pick of the best skipping ropes for high-intensity workouts and cardio sessions.
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What makes a good skipping rope?
- A lengthy, adjustable rope. If your rope is too long, you’ll want to be able to adjust it. If it’s too short, however, there’s not much you can do and skipping becomes difficult and uncomfortable.
- A thickness that suits you. If you want to double-under the day away, then opt for skinny speed ropes. If it’s toning up and muscular endurance you’re after, then thicker, weighted ropes are best.
- Smooth rotation on the handles. This is key to the best skipping ropes – if the rope doesn’t glide nicely overhead, you’ll soon get frustrated.
- Handles with good grip. Constant double-unders require a firm grip on handles or you’ll lose control of the rope.
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5 best skipping ropes 2022
(Keep scrolling for full reviews)
- Freeletics Jump Rope
- Crossrope Speed Performance Set
- Mirafit Battle Jump Rope
- Royzon Adult Skipping Rope
- RPM Training Session 4.0 Speed Rope
Freeletics Jump Rope
BUY IT NOW:
£24.50 / freeletics.com (international shipping available)
Grip: 5/5
Rotation: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Materials: Steel rope core, polyurethane rope shell with aluminium handles | Handle weight: 105g | Thickness: 2.5cm | Length: 3m | Features: adjustable length, anti-slip handles, high-speed bearings | Included: Training with Jump Rope – Fundamentals ebook and carry pouch
With its high-speed bearings, lightweight construction and ultra-thin rope, the Freeletics Jump Rope is a great choice for speed work.
The 17cm long aluminium handles are super slim, but thanks to their anti-slip coating remain easy to grip even after an intense 20-minute session. Because they’re so light, there’s far less pressure on the forearms, too – perfect for double-unders.
You can also discover various jump rope exercises with the Freeletics app, and nail your technique with the included Training with Jump Rope – Fundamentals ebook.
Read our full Freeletics Jump Rope review
Crossrope Speed Performance Set
BUY IT NOW:
$159 / £149 / crossrope.com
Grip: 4.5/5
Rotation: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Materials: wire inner, PVC coating | Rope weights: 85g / 170g / 255g | Length: 2.45m / 2.6m / 2.75m / 2.9m | Features: Fast Clip connection system | Included: 30 days free membership using the Crossrope app, lifetime handle warranty
Weighted speed ropes can take your double-under game to the next level, and Crossrope’s Speed Performance Set has three weights to choose from. Swapping between the 3oz, 6oz and 9oz rope couldn’t be easier with its Fast Clip connection system.
The handles rotate well and they’re comfortable to hold, so there’s no hand chafing to worry about. Their lifetime warranty alone justifies the price tag, and there is a subscription-based app with more than a thousand workouts to inspire you.
Read our full Crossrope Speed Performance Set review
Mirafit Battle Jump Rope
BUY IT NOW:
From £13.95 / mirafit.co.uk (not available in the US)
Grip: 5/5
Rotation: 4.5/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Materials: Durable, black polyester weave with rubber coated handles | Weight(s): 1.1kg to 3.9kg | Thickness options: 2.5 – 5cm | Length(s): 2.8m or 3m | Features: weighted for full-body strength training; rubber handles provide grip and comfort
If skipping over skinny, lightweight loops isn’t challenging enough, this hard-wearing, battle rope/jump rope hybrid adds some upper-body conditioning to your endurance workouts.
At one to two inches thick, with a hefty weight that ranges from 1.1kg to 3.9kg, they’re excellent for everything for fat-stripping HIIT, to building grip, shoulder and arm strength.
Despite that extra bulk, Mirafit ropes pack comfortably in a gym bag, while the rubber reinforced handles make them easy to grip and brilliantly durable.
Royzon Adult Skipping Rope
BUY IT NOW:
£5.99 / onbuy.com (international delivery available)
Grip: 4.5/5
Rotation: 4.5/5
Durability: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Materials: steel wire, PVC coating | Weight: 300g | Length: 3m | Thickness: 13mm | Features: Adjustable length, ergonomic foam handles, internal ball bearings, suitable for internal and external use
At less than a tenner, the Royzon is an ideal lightweight rope to keep stashed in your gym bag. Its rope is smooth rotating, adjustable (if a little fiddly) and suitable for most surfaces, offering performance that some ropes five times the price would struggle to match.
Despite its price and simple design, the Royzon is one of the best skipping ropes we’ve used for speed work and double-unders.
Read our full Royzon Adult Skipping Rope review
RPM Training Session 4.0 Speed Rope
BUY IT NOW:
£59.95 / wit-fitness.com (international delivery available)
Grip: 4/5
Rotation: 4.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Materials: Aluminium handles | Length: 3.65m | Features: Dual bearings, available in black, gold, blue and pink | Included: microfibre bag, five-year handle warranty
The fourth version of RPM’s Training Session is aimed at WOD-loving CrossFitters. Its dual axis rotation ensures it elicits some serious speed, making it ideal for crushing double-unders or even triple-unders.
You’ll be limited to using it indoors or on a soft mat, and it does require a bit of handy work to nail the correct length (any length changes are permanent), but it is quick.
Read our full RPM Training Session 4 Speed Rope review
Primal Strength Steel Skipping Rope
BUY IT NOW:
£15.99 / primalstrength.com (not available in the US)
Grip: 4.5/5
Rotation: 4.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Length: Adjustable | Features: smooth bearings for a rapid, multi-directional spin; lightweight steel handles with firm knurling for added grip; adjustable length
If you’re looking for a speed rope, this has brilliantly smooth swivel bearings to ensure a reliably rapid spin. It also packs textured, lightweight steel handles for better grip, and it’s adjustable.
RDX Digital Calorie Burn and Workout Counter
BUY IT NOW:
$21.99 / £16.99 / rdxsports.co.uk
Grip: 5/5
Rotation: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Materials: PVC-coated steel cable | Length: 3.1m (adjustable) | Features: embedded sensors to tracks jumps and calorie burn, with LED screen; non-slip ergonomic handles; adjustable length; steel ball bearings enable smooth 360 degree rotation
RDX’s connected rope uses embedded sensors to accurately count your jumps, estimate calorie burn, with all your stats appealing alongside a countdown timer on an LED display in the handles.
The 3.1m rope is adjustable and the non-slip handles ensure maximum grip.
Sundried Skipping Rope
BUY IT NOW:
$11.16 / £9 / sundried.com
Grip: 4/5
Rotation: 4/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Length: 3m (adjustable) | Features: ergonomic thumb grooves and non-slip ridging; super slim speed rope with adjustable cables; spare cable, carry case and free downloadable skipping guide included
This lightweight, super-slim speed rope copes well smashing out rapid-fire boxing drills and general gym sessions.
The 12cm rubber grip handles are fatter than some, but ergonomic thumb grooves make for a comfortable grip. The 3m cable is length adjustable and the set comes with a spare.
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Adidas Skipping Rope Set
BUY IT NOW:
£34.99 / amazon.co.uk (not available in the US)
Grip: 4/5
Rotation: 4.5/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Included: 2 x interchangeable weight ropes; 2 x 50g and 2 x 100g weighted handle inserts; carry case | Length: 2.75m | Features: interchangeable ropes and handle weights
If you want flexibility, Adidas’ unique rope set has 50g and 100g interchangeable weighted cores that slot inside the handles, plus two 2.75m ropes – one weighted, one lighter for speedwork – so you change gears to suit your goals. It also comes in a portable case ideal for travel.
