CrossFit is a circular training (that is, the exercises are constantly repeated as if closing in a chain), which is performed in a set of exercises in the minimum time.
For maximum performance during training and maximum performance in many sports, ordinary sports equipment is not always suitable. That is why for full and effective workouts it is recommended to buy an inexpensive professional speed jump rope.
So, if you’re looking to take your performance and cardio to the next level, it might make sense to invest in your own personal jump rope. Thanks to the use of high-quality materials and a special design, the speed jump rope allows you to make many more jumps per minute.
Due to the steel cable length and quality handles with bearings, you can achieve maximum acceleration during training and make double unders and triple jumps.
So, how to choose a properly sized jump rope for CrossFit, and what is the ideal rope length? Let’s get to know this in this article.
Selection method based on height
The most common way to choose the correct length of a jump rope is to choose by height.
Below is a table that gives you the appropriate jump rope length based on your height.
A table
Such a table is generic to guarantee a perfect match. This method does not take into account the difference in the correct length of the torso, arms, and legs of people.
Underarm method
Another common method is to put your foot in the middle of the jump rope and change the size so that the handles come up to your underarms.
This method is slightly better than the height-based method, but will not take into account things like arm length, or waist-to-crown length.
To achieve the ideal length, it is recommended to buy a long jump rope (10 feet for most people, 11 feet if you are over 6 feet 3 inches tall).
Preparation before jump rope adjustment
For any jump rope size recommendation to work, it is important to have good jumping techniques. Start with the position of the hands. Make sure your arms are relaxed, and your palms are close to your pelvic bones. They should not be set wide apart from the hips.
When you feel the need to spread your arms wide, you compensate for the jump rope being too long for you. A shorter rope reduces the effectiveness of the turn. Once you place your hands in the correct position, you will be ready to match the jump rope size perfectly.
Size secret
The secret is to measure the gap of the jump rope as it passes over your head as you jump. This method will help determine the size of the jump rope that is appropriate for you and your body type when you are jumping.
Take a partner, friend, or family member and have them watch you jump. If you have no one to look at, you can jump in front of a mirror. See how far the jump rope goes over your head and reduce its size depending on the style of jumping you will be doing.
Depending on the type of jump you will be doing, you will need to measure different heights above your head.
Speed/Double: 4 to 8 inches overhead.
Fitness/Jumping: 10 to 18 inches overhead.
Freestyle: 6 to 14 inches overhead clearance.
Sizes for different styles of jump ropes
Speed & double unders
The goal of speed jumps is efficiency, which means you want the jump rope to cover the shortest possible distance with the least amount of effort.
With a longer rope, it will look messy, and it will take too much effort to turn. Less distance means less clearance between your head and the jump rope.
You should aim for 4-8 inches to maximize your speed rope.
General fitness
Whether you’re just getting started with jump rope, or just looking to burn a few calories, your goal is not efficiency, but consistency.
While you are learning to jump, you may need a little more length of the jump rope. This extra length allows you to make small technical errors without causing misses.
Recommended height is from 10 to 18 inches above your head.
Freestyle jump rope
Rope tricks require a high level of control over the jump rope and rope handles. Any length you like best will work best. As a general rule, recommended height is from 6 to 14 inches above your head.
The freestyle jump rope allows for a difference in recommended height due to the different paths the rope takes to perform tricks.
Adjustable jump ropes
Luckily, some great adjustable jump ropes don’t require you to cut the cable or adjust the screws. Therefore, this is a great advantage when choosing an adjustable jump rope for CrossFit.
If your jump rope has an adjustment clip stored in the handle, do the following:
- Remove the cap from the pen.
- Thread the cable through the bottom of the handle.
- Loosen the regulator.
- Move the slider to the desired location on the rope.
- Tighten the regulator.
- Cut off the excess cable. Return the cover.
- Repeat steps 1 to 6 for the other handle.
Adjustable jump ropes will also last longer due to their versatility. As you become more proficient with the rope, you may decide to lengthen the freestyle jump rope or shorten it for speed rope.
4 main key points when you are looking for the best CrossFit jump rope
Length
Taller people need longer ropes. Two things to consider when choosing the length of a CrossFit rope:
- the static length of the rope
- the dynamic rope length
The static length is the length of the rope when not in use.
On the other hand, dynamics is the range of length that the rope travels when you jump.
The length of the dynamic rope will depend on your body size and the exercise being performed. That is why, when choosing a new rope for CrossFit, you will be guided by the static length.
Weight
The second main thing you need to pay attention to when buying a CrossFit rope is the weight of the rope.
Beginners will have more luck if they learn the moves with a thicker cable and a heavier rope. A heavy rope for jumping rope moves more slowly, so you have more control over the movement of the rope, which allows you to develop coordination and skills.
Since the rope is moving slower, you will also be doing fewer jumps at a slower pace, so if you are doing about ten or fewer double unders or are trying double under for the first time, a thick and heavy rope is your best bet.
For intermediate Cross Fitters reaching about 50 double unders, a medium-weight rope with a diameter of about 3 mm is ideal.
For advanced jumpers who do more than 100 double unders, a thin, lightweight rope less than 2 mm in diameter is usually the only option. A light rope will give you less fatigue in your shoulders and wrists, but since they are so much faster, you just have to make sure your legs keep up!
Material
Once you’ve figured out how long your ideal rope is and how much rope weight you’ll need for your CrossFit workouts, it’s time to choose your rope material.
There are plastic, vinyl cord, rubber tube, and nylon jump ropes; made from traditional rope or leather; jump ropes made of beads with plastic braids for weight; and also there are types of skipping rope with steel cable.
The type of rope you select will depend on what you require it for during your workout, as well as your overall size and body condition.
The most common jump ropes are made from vinyl plastic or rubber and are great for beginners up to advanced levels.
Plastic jump ropes last a reasonable amount of time depending on how often you use them.
For traditionalists, a skipping rope made from real rope or cloth, and sometimes leather, may be fine, but they tend to be lighter, so are better for more advanced skill levels. Keep in mind that cloth or leather ropes wear out faster.
The CrossFit jump rope is also available with thin metal cables. These thin wire ropes move incredibly fast, so you need to get close to at least 100 consecutive double unders before you consider buying.
Another thing to consider when using wire jump ropes is that these things sting seriously if they hit your feet, so it is highly recommended to wear shoes while jumping to avoid injury.
Handle
In addition to these basic items, you should also consider the type of rope handle you choose.
Most jump ropes have plastic handles, although there are also wooden ones. Whether you select plastic or wood, you will be looking for two things. Firstly, this is the way the jump rope is connected to the handle, and secondly, the ball bearings.
The right rope for all skill levels will have a swivel attachment. This allows the jump rope to rotate freely from the handle.
Some beginner ropes have a jump rope built into the handle. This is normal when you are just starting. But the more repetitions you do and the faster you start training, the faster the jump rope handle wears out.
Free-spinning the jump rope reduces this common wear point and helps you get more out of your new jump rope.
A jump rope with a ball-bearing handle is the best jump rope properly for Cross Fitters who are transitioning from beginner to intermediate. Ball bearings in the jump rope handle evenly distribute the weight throughout the rotation of the jump rope. This allows for smoother movement, which means easier, more efficient jumps.
The top 5 jump ropes for CrossFit in 2022
Below are the top 5 jump ropes for CrossFit in 2022 that will influence your jump rope choice:
- Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set
- Rogue SR-1 Bearing Speed Rope
- Cordforce Tangle-Free Jump Rope
- Froning SR-1F Speed Rope 2.0
- GunGuard USA Weighted Jump Rope
FAQs
How do you properly size a jump rope?
To choose the right rope size, you need to decide what kind of rope you want to buy. Select the right length by choosing a rope for your height, or use the underarm method.
What jump rope do cross fitters use?
In CrossFit, people usually use speed ropes for double jumps. Their thin cables and frictionless bearings provide enough speed to get the rope under your feet two (if you’re a master, three) times under your feet on every jump.
How do you measure a jump rope for CrossFit?
Here are five steps to measure your jump rope:
- Stand with your feet in the middle of the rope
- Pull the rope to your chest
- Bring your arms up to your armpit
- Adjust the length of your rope
- Cut off the excess rope
What length should a skipping rope be for double unders?
The optimum length for double unders is 6″ to 10″ over your head.
What muscles does a CrossFit jump rope train?
Rope exercises help strengthen your glutes, quads, and calves, while also engaging your core, arms, and shoulders.
Conclusion
Now you know what to look for when buying the best CrossFit jump ropes.
If you do CrossFit, you know how important it is to have the perfect jump rope on hand. Jump ropes are an essential cardio machine for all types of WODs, as well as a simple and effective tool that will make you seriously sweat.