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8 Most Effective and Affordable Skipping Ropes (or Jump Ropes) for a Cardio Blast

They're affordable, lightweight and seriously challenging

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skipping ropes

There's no magic pill that will transform your health and fitness overnight, but there are several ways you can improve your workout game drastically without overhauling your life or breaking the bank. One such tactic is investing in a skipping rope, or a 'jump rope'. Favoured by boxers, elite runners, 'functional fitness' zealots and, frankly, anyone looking for a bang-for-your-buck piece of kit, the humble skipping rope can provide a challenge for almost any fitness level, from home workout newbies to cardio-skipping strength training regulars.

Of course, there's no shame if your days spent skipping — or "jumping rope," if that's your thing — are over since leaving school, as many left the rope on the playground. What matters now is that you pick up where you left off: skipping can help improve your cardio, your footwork, agility, resting heart rate and overall health. That you'll rope in a leaner waistline is a welcome bonus — a study found that just 10 minutes a day with a skipping rope was comparable to 30 minutes of running. In short, skipping could be the full-body workout that you never knew you needed. Choose your weapon.

1
Best Skipping Rope for Beginners

Reebok Premium Speed Skipping Rope

Premium Speed Skipping Rope
£23 at Amazon£21 at Decathlon£27 at Sephora

New to working out with skipping ropes? This jump rope from Reebok is ideal for those wanting to start. It’s designed with a durable coated steel cable and is adjustable to help you dial the rope in to a length that suits your height. Rubber grips help the rope stay in your hands — even when things get sweaty — making it ideal for anyone with clammy hands to keep nearby.

2
Best Skipping Rope for CrossFit and Functional Fitness

Arovina Tangle-Free Skipping Rope and Speed Jump Rope

Arovina Tangle-Free Skipping Rope and Speed Jump Rope

If you’re ready to invest in your own skipping rope than borrowing one from your local ‘box’, you’ll want a lightweight, grippy and reliable item. This rope from Arovina is exactly that. With a ball bearing system, you can ‘whip’ the skipping rope for faster single and double-unders without worrying about damaging the rope, which is coated with a water-resistant PVC material. 

The handles are grippy and ergonomic and the rope length is adjustable, meaning you can tweak the length according to your height and your skipping style. It comes with a handy pouch bag to stow the rope away, too, and the rope is tangle-free. 

3
Best Skipping Rope for Simplicity

Nike Speed Skipping Rope

Nike Speed Skipping Rope

If you want a no-nonsense and reliable skipping rope, this is it. Nike’s unisex speed rope features ergonomic and grippy chevron handles to stop the rope slipping out your hands during a sweat workout, and is light enough to go unnoticed in your gym bag. Perfect for short, sharp cardio workouts or a heart-spiking warm-up. A great deal at this price. 

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4

Beast Gear Beast Rope Elite Speed Skipping Rope

Beast Rope Elite Speed Skipping Rope

If you want a high-quality skipping rope but don’t don’t want to break the bank, Beast Gear’s appropriately named Best Rope Elite skipping rope could be the one for you. By using fine-tuned ball bearings, the rope rotates easier and provides the perfect level of control, speed and ‘whip’ during a workout. Backed by functional athletes, boxers and martial artists. 

RELATED: This is How to Build Your Own F45 Circuit at Home

5
Best Skipping Rope for Double-Unders

Sportout Adjustable Skipping Rope

Adjustable Skipping Rope

Mastered single skips? It’s time to master the craft of the double-under: spinning a skipping rope twice per jump. It’s a skill that requires a little more fitness and significantly more finesse. This skipping rope is designed for exactly that — with a 360°rotation and anti-slip design, it’ll take you from tired singles to fast and gassy double-unders in no time at all. 

6
Best Heavy Skipping Rope

Lara Star Weighted Skipping Rope

Weighted Skipping Rope

Using a heavy skipping rope is not to be sniffed at — you’ll get a serious forearm pump while burning hundreds of calories in a short space of time. Made with the same material as battle ropes, you can choose between a 25mm rope or a 38mm rope to spike your heart rate and build serious fitness. 

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7
Best Eco-Friendly Skipping Rope

Ansug Skipping Rope with Wooden Handles

Skipping Rope with Wooden Handles
Now 33% Off

Concerned about your impact on the planet? Go plastic-free with DFVEY's wooden-handled skipping rope, with a natural beech handle and anti-slip design. The rope is made of durable and soft cotton, meaning it's kinder on your body if you trip or clip the rope and won't knot during a workout.

8
Best No-Rope Skipping Rope

TOQIBO No-Rope Skipping Rope

No-Rope Skipping Rope

Just when you thought you've seen it all, this no-rope skipping rope changes the game. With no cord or rope, Toqibo's cordless skipping rope contains a timer, calorie counter, jumping counter and four buttons to navigate the system. It also comes with an attachable cord and uses a 360-degree swivel rapid ball bearing to ensure a smooth and effortless spin. 

From: Men's Health UK
Lettermark
Edward Cooper

Ed Cooper is the former Deputy Digital Editor at Men’s Health UK, writing and editing about anything you want to know about — from tech to fitness, mental health to style, food and so much more. Ed has run the MH gauntlet, including transformations, marathons and er website re-designs. He’s awful at pub sports, though. Follow him: @EA_Cooper


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