One of the first things you’ll want to do when “jumping”… into CrossFit is buy your own jump rope. You can cut the rope to your height so you can get the most efficiency out of the movement.
There are hundreds of options here and I will give you my opinion of some of the best that I’ve used so far throughout my 15 years of CrossFit.
A good idea may be to ask to try out a few of the jump ropes from the other members at the gym and see what you like. I’ve tried dozens of different styles of jump ropes but I’ve only ever owned 3 jump ropes in that 15 year time period. I believe that’s because I bought from a company called Rogue Fitness. They definitely build things to last as long as you take care of them.
I’d recommend not doing a ton of skipping on concrete outside as it will eventually wear down the wire and it will begin to fray but those are also easily replaceable if you need to. Here are a few options that I would recommend but again it’s good to try a few out before you buy your own and see what you like best.
- SR-1S Speed Rope – Rogue Fitness
This has by far been my favorite rope so far and the one I’ve had for about 7 years. The bearings inside the handle move smoothly and after years of being beat up it has lasted. It has a great grip on it that I can relax my hands and not feel like I have to death grip the handles even with a high amount of reps. There are a few different versions/colors of this rope but the SR-1S has so far been my favorite.
https://www.roguefitness.com/gb/spealler-sr-1s-speed-rope-2-0-eu
- SR-2S Speed Rope – Rogue Fitness
Very similar to the previous speed rope but with a different style of handle. The handle is slightly different in the grip and it has different bearings in the handle but it is a very similar rope. If you prefer a slightly longer handle this will probably be a better pick for you. Again this rope has different styles and colors but here is a link to one that you can look at.
https://www.roguefitness.com/gb/rogue-fraser-sr-2s-speed-rope-3-eu
- SR-1F Speed Rope – Rogue Fitness
This is different to the previous as it has a longer handle and it will have a different grip all together. Some people prefer a longer handle so again I would highly recommend finding a rope in the gym that has this style of handle and see how it feels. Again there are quite a few different versions/colors of this rope as well on the website.
https://www.roguefitness.com/gb/froning-sr-1-speed-rope-2-0-eu
- Flare Pro Speed Rope – Reyllen
Here is another brand of speed rope that has a slightly different style to the handle and bearing but a lot of people in the gym prefer. It has a fast spin and moves well in the hand!
https://reyllen.com/collections/jump-ropes-2/products/flare-pro-speed-rope
If you are looking for a cheaper option, there are also many budget friendly speed ropes that you can pick up from Amazon from £10-£20. These will most definitely still do the job but will inevitably have a shorter lifespan and with regular use you might find that you are looking for a replacement after a couple of years.
Once you have bought your rope what you’ll need to do next is cut it to your desired length. The best way to measure this is to stand on the rope with one foot and the handles should come up to about your armpits. Some people prefer a slightly longer rope so BEFORE you make the cut, try out a few different lengths with the rope. Once you think you have the right length and have cut the rope, tighten the screws and tighten them like you never plan to move them again. TIGHTLY so it doesn’t come apart.
When you’re packing up your rope I’d also recommend no scrunching up the rope and throwing it in your bag. Roll the rope up neatly so there are no kinks in the rope or hang it off of a hanger/screw to keep it neat. If you leave it in the gym just be aware it may be used by others and we can’t guarantee they will take care of it the same way you will so I’d recommend you keep your rope with you when you leave the gym.
Again I’d highly recommend trying out a few different style ropes in the gym to see what you prefer and then buy one. If you have any questions feel free to grab a coach and ask them for advice!
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