Best weighted jump ropes | Tom’s Guide
The best weighted jump ropes add intensity to your jump rope workouts, increasing your heart rate and adding resistance for muscles to work harder, helping you build strength while rapidly burning calories.
At Tom’s Guide, we’ve been hard at work testing weighted jump ropes, adding them to our existing workout routines and looking at all the pros and cons. We’ve assessed weights, lengths, jump counters and adjustability, plus various price points and apps they connect with.
A study by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that jump ropes are brilliant at developing lower body power and raising anaerobic capacity. Besides, it’s a small investment that doesn’t need to be expensive if you choose a budget option, and you can take them anywhere for an on-the-go workout.
We’ve selected the best weighted jump ropes on the market based on our testing to form our guide, so here they are.
The quick list
Crossrope Get Lean weighted jump rope
We love the integrated app and two interchangeable ropes, weighing 4 and 8 ounces respectively, which allow you to easily diversify your routine.
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The Pulse weighted jump rope is a solid introductory jump rope for beginners. It’s low price and the one-pound weight will give your jumping sessions a mix of cardiovascular and upper body endurance.
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Here are the best weighted jump ropes you can buy right now based on our testing. Scroll down for in-depth reviews.
Best weighted jump rope overall
The innovative design and integrated app put the Crossrope Get Lean at the top of the best weighted jump rope list. The Get Lean comes with two interchangeable ropes, weighing 4 and 8 ounces respectively, which click firmly into the handles and allow you to easily diversify your routine.
Despite using two ropes that didn’t differ too much in weight, having the ability to switch between them without much fuss intensified my workout. While the 4-ounce rope got my heart rate up, it was the 8-ounce rope that started to build heat in my shoulders and biceps.
I was surprised that a relatively low rope weight would have such an immediate effect. Crossrope offers four different length options for their ropes to ensure that users of all heights can get an effective workout. I’m 5-foot 4 inches tall, the medium-length ropes were perfect for me.
The handles were another big highlight — slim enough to fit in my smaller hands, but big enough to get a firm grip. Unlike some of the ropes on our list, the Crossrope’s handles are rubber rather than padded with soft foam. This felt more sanitary — the sweat from your workout (and trust me, you’ll sweat) won’t soak the handles.
But beyond the great design, the Crossrope’s biggest plus is the app, available for iOS and Android. You can spend a bit more money for a premium membership ($79.99 annually or $9.99 per month), but there’s plenty of content offered in the free version.
You’ll find tutorials, challenge groups, and lots of workout programs using various combinations of ropes. Some of the workouts even included a few moves that I hadn’t tried before, which amplified the difficulty and gave me a new set of skills to work on. The app can also track the estimated number of calories you’ve burned, workouts you’ve completed, and goals you’ve achieved.
While the Crossrope is the most expensive weighted jump rope on our list, it’s the one to choose if you’re serious about starting a new cardio routine and want some variety beyond a classic rope.
Best weighted jump rope for beginners
The Pulse Weighted Jump Rope is a fantastic introductory rope for the beginner. Its low price means you don’t have to make a huge financial commitment to a new exercise regimen, and the one-pound weight will give your jumping sessions a nice mix of cardiovascular and upper-body endurance.
This weighted jump rope measures 10 feet, which is about one foot longer than most ropes on our list. If you need something shorter (like I did), you can alter the rope length by unscrewing the tops of both handles and sliding a plastic stopper. To make sure you get the adjustment right, Pulse includes a helpful height and length ratio chart.
Also, like the Everlast Evergrip, once you alter the rope’s length, you’ll need to cut off any remainder to reassemble the handles. So remember your high school shop teacher’s advice: measure twice, cut once. And since the rope is made from plastic, remember to store it correctly to avoid kinks and tangles.
If you are a beginner, it may be a good idea to remove the one-pound weight from each handle as you learn some techniques and build a rhythm. Going from unweighted to one pound is a bit of a jump, but the heavier handle will give you the best of both cardio and resistance training worlds.
The Pulse’s foam handles felt secure in my hands; the foam can be removed if you’re a germaphobe like me, but it takes a bit of muscle to get them off. The ball bearings are made for smooth and easy revolutions of the rope, which is a very important trait for the novice jumper.
The Pulse may not come with a lot of flair, but it does extremely well with the basics. That’s all you’ll need to start!
Best digital weighted jump rope
For the fitness buff who’s into metrics, the Te-Rich Weighted Jump Rope is the perfect choice. I love using technology to track different aspects of my workouts, so I was excited to try the Te-Rich rope’s digital interface that allows you to input your weight, set a timer, and track both the number of revolutions your rope has completed (called “loops”) and the estimated calories you’ve burned.
A heads up for Americans or anyone who uses the Imperial system: the panel measures your weight in kilograms, so calculate the conversion before you start.
Despite being pretty good at most things digital, the LCD panel tripped me up on my first use. While panel instructions are included, it took me a few minutes of playing around to really figure out how it worked. Once I got the hang of it though, the panel was incredibly useful. You can choose a countdown of either minutes or loops, so I didn’t have to worry about keeping my eye on a clock or counting how many jumps I had made – the rope did it all for me.
Another big advantage to the Te-Rich is the included accessories, especially the ropeless attachment that allows you to continue your routine when you’re stuck indoors. It also comes with a travel bag, a replacement lithium ion battery, and even a small screwdriver to open the battery compartment.
Adjusting the length of the rope is easy and reversible, so you can share the Te-Rich Weighted Jump Rope with friends and family of any height. The overall weight is on the lighter end, but I was still able to feel work being done in my shoulders and biceps as I jumped. For the days you want to focus more on speed, the 4 ounce weights can be removed from the rubber handles. Like others on our list, the Te-Rich’s rope is made from a thin plastic, so be sure to store it accordingly.
If you love trackers and data, the Te-Rich Weighted Jump Rope will fit very nicely into your fitness routine.
Best steel weighted jump rope
When lighter ropes aren’t giving your arms the same burn as they used to, it may be time to consider adding a heavier “strength” rope to your arsenal. At 1.5 pounds, the Rogue Bare Steel Heavy Rope is a solidly made, badass-looking piece of equipment that will get you upper body gains with every use.
Don’t expect to go for minutes at a time using this rope, especially on your first try — it handles very differently than other selections on our list. I had to slow down my jump speed significantly, even after I got used to the way it felt. That being said, it’s a fantastic rope to use when you want to work on upper body conditioning. The weight is light enough to be appropriate for most strength levels, but heavy enough to make an impact. And let me tell you, I felt the impact for several days after I used it.
The Rogue’s weight lies solely in the braided steel rope between the light plastic handles, which means the rotator cuff muscles in your shoulder will have to work harder than they would with an unweighted rope. It also means that you have 9 feet of hard metal revolving around your body at high speed, which can do a number on wood floors. Be sure to use the Rogue Bare Steel Rope in the right setting – in a gym or another workout space with proper flooring.
The welded steel also means there’s no adjusting this rope for different heights. Rogue offers two length options when purchasing, but it’s important to note that the 10-foot rope is heavier (1.75 pounds). An advantage to the steel is that you’ll never have to worry about finding an impossibly tangled rope in the bottom of your gym bag. But a disadvantage? Storing a steel rope can be a pain. Be sure to keep the Velcro ties that Rogue uses for shipping — they’ll come in handy when you want to coil your rope.
When it’s time to up the ante for your upper body, the Rogue Bare Steel Heavy rope is an outstanding choice.
Best rubber weighted jump rope
So you lost your security deposit because your steel jump rope destroyed your landlord’s floor? Whoops. For the times you need a strength rope that doesn’t endanger the structural integrity of your home, look no further than the Champion Sports Weighted Jump Rope.
This rubber rope weighs in at a bulkier 2 pounds, so you’ll want to use it in a strength-building capacity. For that purpose, it’s awesome — after only a few jumps, my arms felt as fatigued as they’d be after a set of push-ups. But based on your abilities and your anatomy, the Champion Sports rope may be a bit difficult to use. Jumping with this rope challenged my shoulder stability, and after a while, I began to feel a little impingement and pain in the area. There’s good news, though: if you like the rope’s design but not the 2-pound weight, Champion Sports offers a 1-pound version. They also offer 3- and 4-pound versions for those of you who never miss a bench day.
The rope itself is very durable but still soft and pliable enough to not scratch up your surroundings. However, it’s still best used outside, in a gym, in a garage, or anywhere you have plenty of unoccupied space. Its density also means it is nearly impossible to tangle, and unlike the Rogue Bare Steel rope, it coils for storage with minimal effort.
While Champion Sports offers different weight options for its rope, it doesn’t offer any length options. The 9-foot length worked well for me, but if you’re taller or shorter than average, you may want to find an alternative. Another downside is the ropes’ handles (yes, they’re soft padded foam). The large, plastic ball bearings make the rope’s revolutions feel a little choppy and uneven at times. Fortunately, that fact didn’t stop me from being able to get a good workout.
The Champion Sports Weighted Jump Rope offers all the benefits of working with a strength rope, without having to worry about losing any more security deposits.
Best weighted jump rope for speed training
Since vertical power has never been one of my athletic strong suits, I’m not the biggest fan of double unders (a jump rope move where the rope passes under you twice before you land). The times I’d try them would leave me frustrated and with cuts on my shins from hitting the ground too early. But since the WOD Nation Weighted Jump Rope set included a thinner rope specifically made for double unders, I decided to attempt the maneuver again — after changing into long pants.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much quicker the rope loops used the lighter, thinner rope. For the first time in recent history, I was able to get several double unders in a row without stopping or needing to find a BandAid. It’s an excellent option to use to get better at advanced speed and agility moves.
The standard-size rope worked well for a more typical jump rope practice, and the weighted handles provided enough resistance for my shoulders and arms to feel like they were getting some attention too. Adjusting the length of the rope isn’t too difficult, and any changes you make to the length can be reversed.
I wouldn’t consider switching between the ropes to be difficult, but it’s not as quick of a process compared to other choices on this list. Since these ropes are plastic and thin, watch out for tangling and kinking. You can avoid this issue by using the storage clips that WOD Nation includes.
The handles are rubber and have a decent diameter for most users to get a good grip without issue. The weights in the handles can be removed, but I could not figure out how to remove them. The bottom of the handles looked as if they could be unscrewed or popped off, but despite lots of twisting and several broken nails, I couldn’t open them. It wasn’t an issue for me as the weight felt appropriate, but be aware if you’re looking for a rope you can use both weighted and unweighted.
If you want to build more confidence in your speed and agility, The WOD Nation Weighted Jump Rope will get the job done.
Best weighted jump rope for ropeless
The Benvo Weighted Ropeless Jump Rope defies the notion that you need an actual rope to get the benefits of the practice, which is fantastic news for anyone who lives in a small apartment and fears exercise-induced property damage. Attached to each handle is a 6-inch rope and silicone ball, which mimics the revolutions a longer connected rope would make.
At first, I doubted the efficacy of the Benvo ropeless rope. It looked more like a toy that would get you suspended from school than a piece of fitness equipment. But once I tried it, I was impressed. It felt exactly like jumping with a regular weighted jump rope, and even better, I didn’t have to worry about tripping or having to reset. I also didn’t have to worry about hitting walls, vases, or light fixtures with an unwieldy rope.
The Benvo Ropeless Weighted Jump Rope is a smart choice not only for apartment dwellers but for jump rope novices too. If you’ve tried jumping rope in the past and can never seem to get more than a few loops before stopping, using a ropeless weighted jump rope can help you develop the rhythm, lower body power, and cardiovascular endurance you need to progress to an actual rope. You can even use the Benvo without jumping at all, making it a great option for those who need to stay away from high-impact exercises.
The weights in the handles aren’t super heavy but will pack a punch to your biceps and shoulders after a few minutes’ use. If you prefer an unweighted handle, the weights can be easily removed. The downside to this rope is that it may not give you enough of a challenge if you’re a more experienced jump rope enthusiast. And, unlike an actual rope, it doesn’t necessarily help sharpen your coordination.
Living in confined quarters is no longer an excuse for skipping cardio. The Benvo Ropeless Weighted Jump Rope can be used by anyone, anywhere.
How to choose the best weighted jump rope for you
Weighted jump ropes are made from materials like nylon, plastic, rubber, steel and – you guessed it – actual rope. Where you’ll find the “weight” in a weighted jump rope can vary – some have weighted handles, some have weighted ropes, and some have both. Many of our selections have handles with ball bearings, which allow for smooth revolutions of the rope as you jump.
It’s important to take a few factors into consideration when purchasing a weighted jump rope:
- Height: If the rope you choose doesn’t allow for length adjustments, be sure to select a rope length that’s appropriate for your height. Many of our non-adjustable picks give length suggestions for various height ranges.
- Material: You will also want to consider where you’ll be using your weighted jump rope. Some of the ropes on our list are made from more abrasive materials, so they’d be best used in a gym or outdoors.
- Goals: It’s also important to think about the kind of workout you want to get from your weighted jump rope. If your goal is to build cardiovascular and muscular endurance, a rope with an overall weight of one pound or lighter would be your best choice. If you’d like to improve strength and power, choose a rope that weighs more than one pound.
- Extras: Think about any extras included with your weighted jump rope. Would a rope that comes with app-based workouts help keep you engaged? Would you be more likely to take your rope on vacation if it came in a bag you could easily tuck into your suitcase? If your rope had a digital timer on the handle, would you be less tempted to cut your cardio sessions short? While these extras may raise the price of your weighted jump rope slightly, they are well worth the (still affordable) expense if they help you to stay motivated.
How we test the best weighted jump ropes
To help us determine which weighted jump ropes were the best, we evaluated them in varying time intervals and in different environments.
For any ropes on our list with an overall weight of 1 pound or lighter, we would perform single revolution jumps (“single unders”) for 2 minutes. For ropes with an overall weight of 1.5 to 2 pounds, we’d perform single unders for 1 minute. For ropes over 2 pounds, we’d perform single unders for 30-45 seconds.
This process was repeated for sets with interchangeable ropes and variable weight handles, so that all possible weight and rope combinations were tried. Additionally, double revolution jumps (“double unders”) were performed with the WOD Nation Weighted Jump Rope for 30 seconds.
All ropes were tested both indoors and outdoors, with the exception of the RopeFit which was only tested outdoors. Indoors, the ropes were tested on a hardwood floor and a rubberized mat. Outdoors, the ropes were tested on a wooden boardwalk. We also tested each product to see how easy it was to change weights and adjust the length of the ropes, among other usability factors.
Q&A
What are the benefits of using a weighted jump rope?
Both a weighted jump rope and a regular jump rope are great ways of raising the heart rate, improving coordination and building agility and endurance, so what are the benefits of adding a weighted rope to your workout? The additional weight helps you burns more calories and build muscle faster, so whether your goal from skipping is weight loss or strength and conditioning, the weighted jump rope will help.
How heavy should a heavy jump rope be?
The weight of the jump rope depends on your fitness level. If you’re a complete beginner, it’s probably best to pick a rope that’s anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 lbs. Heavier ropes are typically better for conditioning, so if you’re more experienced, opt for a rope that is 3-4 lbs and up.
Is it better to jump rope light or heavy?
A lighter rope might be better for agility and speed training, whereas a weighted rope is better for conditioning and building stronger muscles. Those targeting fat loss might prefer a heavy jump rope, but a lighter rope is great for coordination and learning skills.
How often should you use a weighted jump rope?
Should you use a weighted jump rope everyday? No. Whether using a weighted or non-weighted rope, jumping rope everyday isn’t recommended, as it can cause strain on your joints. Shoot for three to five times a week. If you do want to jump rope every single day, keep the workouts short.
Is jumping rope bad for the knees?
Jump rope is low-impact and can help build more robust joints and ligaments, but try to land with a soft knee bend and toward the balls of your feet to reduce pressure on your knees. Choosing a slightly softer surface to jump can also help reduce tension.
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