What are the Different Types of Jump Ropes?

For most people, all jump ropes look relatively similar. Yes, they come in different colors, and some of them are thinner, but if you ask the everyday person on the street, they probably won’t be able to tell you what the different types of jumping ropes are. And that’s fine if you’re not planning on working out with them. However, if you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you’ve felt inspired to start exercising, and you want to learn what jump rope to buy for your workouts. Lucky for you, that’s all this article will be dedicated to — the different kinds of jump rope and who they’re best suited for.

Let’s get started. 

Types of Jump Ropes: Ultimate Guide 

How to choose a jump rope? Well, first, by learning what kinds of jump ropes you can find on the market and what kind of workouts they’re best suited for. And that’s exactly what we will be doing in the following paragraphs. Here, it’s vital to note that the main difference between jump rope types is the material they’re made from, and the most common ones are plastic, cable, nylon, and PVC. Additionally, in recent years digital jump ropes have started to become more popular, and we will be taking a look into them as well. Now, without further ado, let’s dive deep into the different types of jumping ropes.

1. Speed Ropes

Speed jump ropes are considered to be the best option for cardio-oriented jump rope workouts and for double-unders. They typically have a very thin PVC plastic cord and are the fastest ones on the market, thus are used in fitness-style workouts and by professional boxers. Let’s take a look at their key features. 

• Handles

They have shorter handles than other jump ropes and are designed so that the tip where the rope is attached is as close to the center of your body. as possible. This allows for the rope to rotate faster and require less effort from you.

• Weight

Speed ropes are super light and typically weigh anywhere between 50 to 100 grams.

• Material

Everything about the design of the speed jump rope is there to make it lighter. That’s why the handles are made from plastic, and the cable is thin metal covered with PVC; however, there are other variations available on the market. 

Speed jump ropes are the preferred option by many professional athletes, who choose to include some jump rope workouts in their regime. That’s because they’re a terrific option for interval workouts and also aid in training for coordination, footwork, quickness, speed, and agility. 

Our Recommended Speed Rope

As you know, the market is full of all kinds of jump rope options, however, not all of them have the needed quality to last you through many workouts. And here’s where our recommendation comes along. When it comes to speed jump ropes, we truly enjoyed using the WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope. It’s made of high-quality materials, comes in various colors, and with a bag that you can carry it in. 

2. Weighted Rope

Weighted jump ropes are becoming more and more popular these days. And that’s because they have many uses, and you can do tons of functional workouts with them. Unlike other types of jump ropes that are mostly focused on cardio, weighted jump ropes provide a unique challenge, as they require the muscles of your upper body and core to get to work as well. That’s what makes them great not only for a sweat session but also for building some muscles. 

• Handles

The handles are usually made from aluminum, but other materials are used too. Completely opposite to the speed jump rope, here, the idea is to do everything you can to make the rope heavier, and that includes having metal handles. 

• Weight

The weight of these ropes is generally between 1 and 1,5 pounds; however, you might be able to find even heavier options on the market. 

• Material

When it comes to jump rope material, you can find more than one in weighted rope. Usually, they have metal handles, and the rope is made out of nylon and PVC, but that varies depending on the manufacturer. With that said, plastic jump ropes can never fall into the category of weighted ones, as they can hardly get heavy enough to be considered for this category.

Our Recommended Weighted Rope

When it comes to weighted ropes, the one that truly left an impression on us was made by Redify. It’s super high-quality, made with an aluminum handle and with a combination of a 9mm braided cotton rope and a 9mm PVC rope. It comes at just under one pound, so it’s on the lighter side, making it a good option for both people who want to do more cardio-focused workouts and those who want to build muscular endurance. 

3. Adjustable Jump Rope

When we talk about adjustable jump ropes, we’re typically referring to all ropes that give you the opportunity to adjust the length of their cable. They’re usually recommended for beginners or for people that want a jump rope that the entire family can use. By getting an adjustable, cable jump rope, you won’t have to worry whether it’s the proper length for you, as you can make the necessary adjustments whenever needed. Adjustable jump ropes can be both speed and weighted ones and you can choose which one to get, depending on the kind of workouts you plan on doing. 

• Handles

Different types, depending on whether it’s a speed or weighted rope. Speed ones are usually made out of PVC and are lightweight, while weighted ones can have aluminum build and memory foam to make them heavier.

• Weight

Again, depends on whether it’s a weighted or speed rope. Speed ropes are typically less than 0.5 pounds, while weighted ones around 1 pound. 

• Material

Different types of material, depending on the manufacturer and the type of rope. 

Our Recommended Adjustable Rope

As far as adjustable ropes go, we can recommend the one from RXClub. It comes in a set with weighted wrist wraps, two kinds of cables (light and heavy) and a 11-foot cable that you can adjust. It’s super lightweight, can be bought in several different colors and is made out of quality materials so it will last you a long time. 

4. Cordless Skipping Rope

One interesting variation of the standard jump rope is the cordless one. As you can guess by the name, this is a jump rope, but without the actual rope to tie the two handles together. It’s an innovation in the fitness community, and it serves the same purpose as a standard jump rope — to help you get in some cardiovascular activity. It basically looks like two jumping rope handles with counters attached to them. It’s hard to define it as a pvc jump rope or as a nylon jump rope, as it’s neither. In fact, it’s nothing like a typical jump rope — the two rubber balls placed at the end of the handles are there to provide resistance, and their movement allows you to track your repetitions. Along with that, cordless jump ropes are made to connect with smartphones. 

• Handles

Plastic handles with memory foam for more comfort.

• Weight

Typically close to one pound, sort of an in-between option between the weighted jump ropes and the speed ones.

• Material

Different types of material, depending on the brand. Usually, plastic and foam for the handles, and the weighted balls are made out of EVA.

Cordless speed ropes are terrific for when you prefer to train at home, where you have limited space and cannot do it any other way. They’re also good options for offices, as they enable employees to train during lunch breaks without causing a lot of trouble. 

Our Recommended Cordless Skipping Rope

Cordless jump ropes are gaining popularity, however, there aren’t quite as many of them on the market, especially when you compare them with speed or weighted jump ropes. With that said, one model we can recommend is the APLUGTEK Jump Rope. It’s a cordless jump rope that comes in many colors, weighs a little less than one pound, has foamed handles made out of plastic for maximum comfort, and is great to use for a variety of workouts. 

5. Digital Rope

Digital jump ropes are all-in-all basic jump ropes with a digital counter on the handles that counts each repetition you make. They’re typically heavier than speed jump ropes but lighter than weighted ones and they’re a good option for beginners.

• Handles

The handles are typically made from plastic with some foam to make them more comfortable. The most noticeable detail about them is the digital counter placed at the very end, close to where the rope and the handles connect. 

• Weight

Usually a little less than a pound, however, there are heavier options on the market. 

• Material

You can call the digital rope a PVC jump rope and you won’t be that far off. The handles are generally made out of plastic and in most cases, the rope itself is made of steel with a PVC cover on top. 

Our Recommended Digital Rope

Nowadays, many companies manufacture digital jump ropes, but we like the one from Multifun the best. It has everything you might want from a digital rope — a cool counter on the handle, a long rope that can be adjusted, and comfortable, non-slip handles. 

How to Pick a Jump Rope

Okay, now you know all about the different types of jump ropes. Let’s now see the three factors you need to consider when making the choice of which one to buy. 

1. Style of Workouts 

If you plan on doing more interval training and you want to focus on proving your athleticism, then the speed rope is the clear option for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking to strengthen some muscles and you want to work for endurance, you can opt for the weighted rope. If you’re looking for just an in-between option to get you started and help you maintain form, then both the digital and the cordless ropes are decent options. 

2. Space

If you plan to work out outside, then the cordless and speed options aren’t the best fit. The speed one can be damaging to the pavement, and the cordless one would just look strange. On the other hand, if you’re tight on space and you want to exercise literally anywhere, then the cordless jump rope is the best fit for your needs. 

3. Level

If you’ve been training for a while and you’re good at jumping rope, then you can consider both the speed and the weighted jump ropes as good options. On the other hand, cordless and digital ropes are much better suited for beginners. 

FAQ

What type of jump ropes is the best?

There’s no best type of jump rope. Which one is the best for you depends on your level, the kind of workouts you prefer doing, and how much space you have. If you’re a beginner, we recommend either a regular rope or a speed one. 

Does it matter what jump rope to choose?

Yes, choosing the right jump rope is key to getting the best possible exercise. 

What is the difference between jump rope and skipping rope?

Both terms mean one and the same thing, so there’s no difference. 

In Conclusion 

There are many types of jump ropes available on the market, and choosing the right one for you is key. If you have to choose one, we recommend the speed rope. Hopefully, this article will help you when buying your next jump rope. In the meantime, share with us what is your favorite jump rope on the market and why. We will be waiting for your answers down below. 

Also read:

1. Jump Rope Vs Other Exercises
2. Single Unders
3. How Long Should A Jump Rope Be
4. Best Jump Rope
5. Best Jump Rope For Boxing
6. Essential Gear For Functional Fitness
7. Weighted Jump Rope Benefits

References:

1. What is Agility? // Science for Sport:                                           
   https://www.scienceforsport.com/agility/