So, you’re ready to trade in your old skipping rope and level up to the best of the best jump ropes? Before you splurge on a thin, speedy cable, take our advice and save your lower legs a few welts with one of the best jump ropes for beginners. Mastering movements like crossovers or double-unders, after all, takes practice. Heavier ropes like these can create slower spins that give you a chance to build up to those advanced exercises.

The approachable price points of these allows them to double as practice ropes for jump rope newbies or anyone looking to join a CrossFit gym. I’m a novice jump roper myself and tested each of the options to see which ones had me leaping (and which ones had me tripping). See what I, along with the BarBend team, had to say about our time with the best jump ropes for beginners.

The 5 Best Jump Ropes for Beginners of 2024

How We Tested and Chose the Best Jump Ropes for Beginners

BarBend’s team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, and seasoned hoppers has been incorporating jump ropes into their (and their clients’) training for years. For all 30 jump ropes that we’ve tested, we assigned scores of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across 13 categories, from handle material and rotation system to sizing and adjustment, giving us a solid idea of what to look for in a durable, accessible jump rope. 

As something of a jump rope beginner myself, I wanted to put each of these jump ropes to the test myself. After consulting with a few other testers, I used my personal experience to bring all of our ratings to life. Below are some of the key factors we looked for when choosing the best jump ropes for beginners. For more information about how we test products, check out BarBend’s equipment testing methodology.

• Cable Sizing and Adjustment: While some ropes we tested utilize the “size-and-cut” adjustment method, others come in fixed lengths. We made sure to note whether you can just loosen a screw to adjust the length or if you’ll dig out your wire cutters. Some ropes also allow you to choose your length at checkout.
• Handle Grip: A jump rope’s handle material and size can make or break your workout. Whether you prefer smooth plastic, thick foam, or rigid rubber, you’ll find several options on our list.
• Rotation Mechanism: We included a few options with smooth, ball-bearing rotation systems, but not all beginners may find those mechanisms necessary. The cables on some of our picks are simply attached to the handle, which create the slower spins that can help you practice your footwork and technique.
• Cable Weight: A few ounces can make a huge difference for beginners, so when we tested out these ropes, we noted how their weights affected our workouts. Whether you need the feedback of a heavy rope or are looking for your first speed rope, our top picks encompass a wide weight range. 
• Packability: We think jump ropes are some of the best compact exercise equipment, ideal for athletes on the move. However, some ropes can easily tangle whether they’re packed in a gym bag or tossed on the floor of your car. We sought to include ropes on our list with strong cables to help support tangle-free packing.

Best Jump Rope for Beginners Overall: REP Fitness Speed Cable Jump Rope

REP Fitness Speed Cable Jump Rope

REP Fitness Speed Cable Jump Rope

With lightweight handles, this rope helps provide more control for beginners. The cable can be adjusted in just seconds and does not tangle easily.

Beginners looking to hone their technique and practice new movements may have found their match in the REP Fitness Speed Cable Jump Rope. Although some beginners may prefer a heavier rope, this cable spins slowly enough to develop your new skills, while still providing a challenging workout. Out of all the jump ropes I’ve tested, I think this is the best option for newcomers with dreams of nailing crossovers and double-unders.  

After measuring your jump rope to suit your height, all it takes to adjust is popping off the secure rubber tips and using the adjustment screws to lock in your length. Or, you can simply snip the cable with a pair of scissors and replace the tip. It took me all of 15 seconds, so rating its sizing and adjustment 5 out of 5 was the easiest decision I made that day. The cable arrives at 9 feet 8 inches, which should fit anyone up to 6 feet 8 inches.

Generally speaking, heavy ropes can help beginners learn the basics by creating slower spins. Their rotation systems also lack the blazing fast ball-bearing systems of the best CrossFit jump ropes. This cable is thinner than other beginner options, but after using it, I think the static rotation system — a 4.5 out of 5 — can help jump rope newbies freestyle while still controlling the rope. 

Because the cable is thinner than other beginner ropes, I doubt it would last long if you consistently use it on concrete or asphalt. I rated its outdoor use just a 2 out of 5. 

Aiding its control are lightweight, no-frills plastic handles. While they lack the contoured or knurled grips of pricier options — like the CrossRope AMP Jump Rope Set — they earned a 5 out of 5 from me. Despite its simple design, I loved that the notch at the base allowed my pinkies and ring fingers to help instill the wrist-flicking motion that can take beginners a minute to learn. 

That said, if you just stepped out of a UFO and have never seen a jump rope, a heavier rope could be a viable option — but not for long. After a few sessions, I think most beginners would be ready for a rope that can help them reach their goals of learning more complicated movements like the double-under.

Best Weighted Jump Rope for Beginners: WOD Nation Atlas Weighted Jump Rope

WOD Nation Atlas Weighted Jump Rope

WOD Nation Atlas Weighted Jump Rope

The contoured and thick rubber handles provide a secure grip, while each handle also holds 0.5 pounds of removable weight. Its cable length is also adjustable without needing to be cut.

When you unpack your WOD Nation Atlas Weighted Jump Rope, you’ll find two ropes — a lightweight speed rope and a 4-millimeter weighted rope. Including two ropes and removable weights for both the cable and handles can allow beginners to progress in their training without needing to upgrade later. I tested this rope alongside another BarBend tester, a CrossFit Level-1 trainer, and we both scored its width and weight a 5 out of 5. 

Weighted ropes like this one provide more feedback as you jump. The pull of the rope, along with its contact with the floor — don’t use it outside! — can help beginners acclimate to new movements while cultivating muscle memory. Not only can you swap out the cables and add the small weights as you reach your next level, but the weighted handles can help engage the core that much more.

“The heavier rope spins slower, which is great for anyone new to jumping rope,” our tester said. “But I was impressed how easy it was to add the half-pound weights in the handles.” 

In fact, I timed how long it took me. Unscrewing the cap at the bottom of the handle, removing the spring, loading the weight, and securing everything back in place took me a grand total of 10 seconds.

The contoured rubber grip on the handles felt secure during both freestyle and HIIT cardio workouts, easily earning a 5 out of 5 from both of us for its padding and material. “They were so grippy, they almost felt sticky,” our tester said. “But for people like me, whose hands get sweaty and slippery, I can’t recommend them enough.”

While I appreciated the small carrying bag, I scored its packability 2.5 out of 5, as I needed to untangle it just about every time I picked it up. It also costs around $15 more than some other beginner options, though it’s worth noting that you likely won’t need to purchase another rope as you become more advanced. I’d give it a 4.5 out of 5 value.

Best Budget Jump Rope for Beginners: DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings

DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings

DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings

The ball-bearing rotation system on this budget-friendly jump rope creates smooth spins. Its cable is easily adjustable is also easily adjustable.

If you can stand one fewer Venti Caramel Iced Chai this week, you can squeeze the DEGOL Skipping Rope into your budget. Even at $8.99, it utilizes a ball-bearing rotation system that creates smooth spins, plus an easily adjustable cable length. Its cable also tucks right into the handle, making jumping rope — one of the best cardiovascular exercises — even easier. That easy, breezy adjustment and seamless rotation earned it a 5 out of 5 value score from me and another of our testers, a certified personal trainer.

“The 9-foot cable was actually perfect for me right out of the box,” said our 6-foot-4 tester. “But being able to stuff the extra cable in the handles means multiple people could adjust it to their height.” 

Because it was so easy to use, I rated this rope’s sizing and adjustment 5 out of 5. Unlike some ropes that require you to measure and cut the cable, this system allows beginners to try out a few lengths without committing to a particular one.

Another pleasant surprise for a rope at this price point is its ball bearing rotation, which I scored a 4 out of 5 for how smoothly it spun the rope. For $8.99, I would have been happy with a rope with a knot, so an actual bearing system was impressive to both myself and our tester. “They aren’t going to be as fast as a $40 or $50 rope, but it’s definitely good for beginners,” they said.

The soft memory foam handles didn’t quite feel like a pillow, but I still found them a bit too soft when I was churning out single- and double-unders. Whether you take on cardio workouts at home or your gym, I think rubber handles can provide a more secure grip, so I scored the handles 2.5 out of 5.

Best Foam Grip Jump Rope for Beginners: Champion Sports Weighted Jump Rope

Champion Sports Weighted Jump Rope

Champion Sports Weighted Jump Rope

The foam grip handles on this weighted jump rope feel super soft and comfortable. With four available weights, you can create full-body workouts.

Those who enjoy sinking into a memory foam mattress may also enjoy the foam grips on the Champion Sports Weighted Jump Rope. Of the foam handle grips I’ve used, this was easily the softest. I scored the handles’ padding and material both a 4 out of 5.

I do, however, agree with our other tester, a certified personal trainer, that it can begin to feel uncomfortable as it starts to absorb sweat. “I liked that the handles were soft, but they were almost a bit too soft,” they said. “But it didn’t make a huge difference until my hands got super sweaty.” 

When it came to my workouts, the heavy rope had me huffing and puffing sooner than expected, and I rated my overall workout experience 4 out of 5. I used the 1-pound rope, but Champion offers the same foam handles with four different rope weights: 1, 2, 3, and 4 pounds. 

Heavier ropes are typically better suited for beginners because they tend to rotate more slowly. However, that also means your upper body is spinning more weight as you jump. “It took just a few minutes to really get intense,” our tester said. “It sure was challenging and I was not ready for it — in a good way.”

The rope’s sizing and adjustment garnered a 3 out of 5 from yours truly because, while the 9-foot length may be fine for most people, they aren’t adjustable. After working out so many kinks and struggling to neatly wrap up the cable, I doubt I’ll be packing it for any travel workouts when I’m on the road. There’s also no carrying case or even a cinch bag — it just arrived in an empty box — so I scored its packability 2 out of 5.

Best Jump Rope for Beginners for Kids: Rogue Fitness Licorice Rope

Rogue Fitness Licorice Rope

Rogue Fitness Licorice Rope

With four cable lengths available, starting at 7 feet, the thick PVC cord on this jump rope can be gentler on skin after missed jumps. It’s also durable enough for outdoor use and packs easily without tangling.

If your little ones are looking to level up from a beaded option to a high-quality rope, I like the Rogue Fitness Licorice Rope because it’s easy to spin and difficult to get tangled. Of the four available cable lengths, the 7-foot option may be ideal for mini jump ropers around 4-feet tall. Below is a chart outlining Rogue’s sizing recommendations. 

Rogue Fitness Jump Rope Sizing Chart

Speed and wire ropes are notorious for welt-inducing jump rope workouts, so you’d be right to be hesitant about bringing a “grown-up” rope home for your kid. Fortunately, the flexible PVC rope on this inexpensive profile can be gentle on their skin if they happen to miss a jump. I rated the cable’s weight a 4 out of 5 because the slower rotation might also help avoid some of the welts and marks for which thinner ropes are notorious.

The 5-millimeter thickness also makes it a tad more durable for when your kiddos burn off their sugar rushes outdoors. After testing it out on a concrete sidewalk (and wishing I was a kid again), I rated the Licorice Rope 4 out of 5 for outdoor use. 

Its plain plastic handles won’t inspire awe, but that simplicity may turn out to be a good thing — kids break things after all. On other options, contoured or knurled jump rope handles help justify their higher prices, so for just $8.50, you can feel better about it being tossed on a hard surface. Nevertheless, I still scored them a 3 out of 5. 

Benefits of Jump Ropes for Beginners

Because they don’t occupy much space in your home or budget, jump ropes are some of the best budget home gym equipment available. Along with their accessibility, BarBend expert reviewer Kate Meier notes that even a quick jump rope session can make for a heart-pounding, high-intensity workout. 

“Jump roping is a fantastic, full-body exercise for those looking to elevate their heart rate and work up a sweat in a short amount of time,” she says. “Even just 10 minutes of jump-roping can burn around 100 calories, depending on your intensity.” (1)

• Improved Cardiovascular Endurance: Consistently raising your heart rate through exercise can not only boost your overall cardiovascular health, but it can improve circulation and endurance. (1) In fact, participants in one Harvard study burned as many calories in a 10-minute jump rope workout as they did running for 30 minutes. (1)
• Enhanced Coordination: When building workout plans for her clients (and herself), Meier incorporates jumping rope to help improve overall balance. “In general, I love prescribing any kind of jumps to my clients as they progress working through balance and coordination exercises,” she says. “Jumping rope is an excellent way to get the mind and body in sync. You have to concentrate on timing your jump as well as getting your upper body to coordinate with your lower body.” (2)
• Accessibility and Portability: Whether it’s a walk to the gym or a cross-country flight, these jump ropes coil up to slide into a gym bag or carry-on bag. They also weigh just a few pounds. Plus, some come with their own carrying cases or cinch bags.
• Value: These convenient pieces of home gym equipment will only set you back between $8.50 and $33.77. With all the training benefits they bring to the table, jump ropes can be a solid addition for athletes on a budget.

How Much Do Jump Ropes for Beginners Cost?

Foam grip or rubber grip? Weighted rope or speed rope? When it comes to the best jump ropes for beginners, the devil is the details. With a range from $8.50 to $33.77, it might be helpful to check out this quick breakdown of perhaps the most important detail: their cost.

How To Measure a Jump Rope

After unwrapping your new jump rope, the first step is to measure it for your height. But how are you supposed to know how to measure a jump rope? Whether your rope has an adjustable screw or you need to “size-and-cut,” our expert reviewer Kate Meier explains how to find the right length for your height.

“Finding the right rope length is simple. Step on the rope with one foot and pull the handles up toward your shoulders. The base of both handles should hit you at your armpits,” she says. “If the handles are lower than that, you need a longer rope. If they are above your shoulders, you should shorten your rope a little.”

Jump Rope Sizing Chart

A good rule of thumb for sizing your jump cable is to add around 3 feet to your height. Most brands include a sizing chart along with your delivery or on their website. To get a sense of how to match your new jump to your height, check out our sizing chart below.

What to Consider Before Buying a Jump Rope for Beginners

While incorporating a jump rope into your training regimen can be a boon for your cardio, there are a few factors to keep in mind as you peruse our list. 

Experience Level

As one of our testers, a CrossFit Level-1 trainer, points out, learning new jump rope movements with an option that is too fast or too thin can lead to some painful skin-to-cable encounters. “Speed ropes are essentially just bare steel cables,” they said. “They can easily leave welts and whip marks if you miss a jump.” 

If this will be the first time you’ve jumped rope since your double-dutch days, remember that heavier ropes spin slower. Along with the feedback they provide, this can give beginners an opportunity to master their footwork and fundamentals pain-free. Some brands, like WOD Nation, even feature jump rope tutorials and simple workouts to help guide you toward your fitness goals.

Intended Workouts

When you’re scrolling through our list, consider how each option might perform during the workouts you want to do. Oftentimes, jump rope workouts for beginners are easiest with a heavier rope that will rotate slower and provide more feedback than the thin cables of speed jump ropes. If you want to practice faster movements, like crossovers or double-unders, lighter cables can offer the speed to ramp up your training.

Cable Length

Making sure your cable length matches your height may be the most important detail to consider before bringing your new rope home. “Before you start jumping, getting the right size rope length is imperative,” Meier says.

“Too short of a rope means you’ll be whipping yourself in the legs entirely too often,” she says. “Too long of a rope means the rope will hit the ground way out in front of you, affecting your timing and likely causing you to miss your jump.”

Training Surface 

If it’s been a few years (OK, decades) since you last jumped rope, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re designed to hold up on any surface. In reality, some cables can quickly fray if they repeatedly come into contact with abrasive surfaces, like asphalt or concrete. 

Even jump ropes for beginners are usually best suited for indoor training. If you decide to go with one of these ropes, consider laying down some of the best home gym flooring to keep your cable in top shape.

Jump Ropes for Beginners FAQs

References

1. Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, March 8). Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights
2. Ozer, D., Duzgun, I., Baltaci, G., Karacan, S., & Colakoglu, F. (2011). The effects of rope or weighted rope jump training on strength, coordination and proprioception in adolescent female volleyball players. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 51(2), 211–219.