The Best Weighted Jump Ropes to Take Your Cardio Workouts to The Next Level

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Although buying exercise equipment, such as treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines and exercise bikes, has become an increasingly popular way to get in a cardio workout at home, these types of fitness equipment are all costly. Plus, even the most compact cardio equipment is bulky and takes up a lot of floor space in your home gym. However, it’s also possible to get a great cardio workout with a jump rope. After all, boxers have been using this simple training tool in their workout routine for decades. Although simple speed jump ropes, crossropes or even cordless or ropeless jump ropes can give you an effective heart-pumping cardio workout, buying a weighted jump rope will take your routine to the next level by adding an element of muscle strengthening.

In this article, we share our top picks and reviews for the best weighted jump ropes for users of different fitness levels and training goals, as well as a comprehensive buying guide with tips for how to choose the best weighted jump rope for your needs.

Our Picks for the Best Weighted Jump Ropes:

• Overall Best Weighted Jump Rope: CrossRope Get Strong
• Runner-Up Best Weighted Jump Rope: TRX Weighted Jump Rope
• Best Weighted Jump Rope for Beginners: Bala The Jump Rope
• Best Weighted Jump Rope with Comfortable Grips: TRX Weighted Jump Rope
• Best Heavy Duty Weighted Jump Rope: Rogue Heavy Jump Rope
• Best Adjustable Weighted Jump Rope: Everlast Weighted and Adjustable Jump Rope
• Best Splurge Weighted Jump Rope: Rogue Hyper Rope Jump Rope

Overall Best Weighted Jump Rope: CrossRope Get Strong

Key Features:

• Weight: Comes with a one-pound and a two-pound rope
• Adjustable length: Ropes can be purchased in different sizes based on user’s height
• Adjustable weight: Ropes can be swapped out to add or reduce weight
• Which part is weighted: Ropes are weighted
• Price: $169

Our top pick for the best weighted jump rope overall is the CrossRope Get Strong. The Get Strong bundle comes with two weighted jump ropes, a one-pound rope and a two-pound rope, as well as a set of handles with an ergonomic grip. The one pound rope is designed for endurance and HIIT workouts, while the two pound rope is aimed at building strength. We love that you can purchase this jump rope based on your height so you don’t have to worry about excess slack, or tripping over a rope that’s too short to jump through. Lengths range from seven feet six inches, which is the extra small size for users under five feet tall, to an extra large option of nine feet six inches for users over six feet two inches tall.

When you purchase the Get Strong bundle you’ll get a 30-day free trial of the CrossRope App. The app has more than 1,000 workouts utilizing your new weighted jump ropes. While there is a free version of the app, full access to all of the challenges, activity tracking and tutorials cost $9.99 a month after your free trial.

Pros:

• Can purchase length of rope based on user's height
• Handles designed with comfortable, ergonomic grip
• Lifetime warranty on handles
• Can try for 60 days, worry-free

Cons:

• Membership required to fully access app
• Pricey compared to other options

Runner-Up Best Weighted Jump Rope: TRX Weighted Jump Rope

Key Features:

• Weight: 18 ounces (1.125 pounds)
• Adjustable length: Yes; vinyl-coated cable adjustable up to 10 feet
• Adjustable weight: No, but you can remove the weights
• Which part is weighted: Weighted handles with removable weights
• Price: $44.95

Our runner-up for the best weighted jump rope overall is the TRX Weighted Jump Rope. It is a feature-packed weighted skipping rope for the price point. There are removable nine-ounce weights in each handle, for a total weight of 18 ounces, or you can remove the weights and use it as a regular jump rope. The vinyl-coated cable is adjustable up to 10 feet, durable and won’t damage your flooring. To improve durability, the wire inside the coating is solid PVC. There are low-friction ball bearings enabling seamless double unders and crossovers. Users love the extra grippy rubber handles and the fact that you get access to the online workout program, TRX training club. There you can follow guided workouts from personal trainers to help you reach your fitness goals. Overall, it’s a great training tool for users of all fitness levels, and can be easily stashed in your gym bag or used for home cardio workouts.

Pros:

• Adjustable rope length
• Weighted comfortable handles include removable weights
• Very high customer reviews
• Six-year warranty
• High-quality ball bearing system

Cons:

• Weight is not adjustable
• May not be heavy enough for advanced athletes

Best Weighted Jump Rope for Beginners: Bala The Jump Rope

Key Features:

• Weight: One pound total
• Adjustable length: Yes; vinyl-coated cable adjustable up to 10 feet
• Adjustable weight: No
• Which part is weighted: Weighted handles with half-pound weights
• Price: $55

Although Bala is best known for making aesthetically-pleasing weighted bangles, the company has since added a much wider line up for weighted fitness equipment for home workouts. The Weighted Jump Rope from Bala features the same visually attractive style the brand is known for. We think this makes it more fun and enticing to feel like your wellness and fitness equipment matches your personality and personal aesthetic. The Weighted Jump Rope comes in three colors. Your purchase comes as a jump rope set, meaning you get two handless and two cables (a spare rope) in case your first one eventually wears out. Each ergonomic jump rope handle weighs a half pound, for a combined weight of one pound. The weighted handles are made from non-slip silicone, which is easier to wipe clean than foam handles if your hands get sweaty. However, even though many customer reviews note that the handles are comfortable and have a nice grippy texture, some negative reviews report that the handles can get a little slippery if your hands get super sweaty.

The Bala The Weighted Jump Rope has high-quality steel ball bearings, and is designed for fast reps and smooth rotations for vigorous cardio and HIIT workouts. Although the cables have an adjustable length, the jump rope does not come with instructions on how to adjust the length, so you will need to look up that information online or via YouTube if you have never done that before. However, once you get the hang of it, the locking mechanism makes it easy to adjust the length of the rope, which is great if you have multiple users of different heights.

Pros:

• Comes in three colors
• Jump rope set comes with two interchangeable color-matched ropes
• Adjustable length
• Smooth rotation with steel ball bearings

Cons:

• Weight is not adjustable
• May not be heavy enough for advanced athletes
• More expensive for a beginner rope

Best Weighted Jump Rope with Comfortable Grips: TRX Weighted Jump Rope

Key Features:

• Weight: 18 ounces (1.125 pounds)
• Adjustable length: Yes; vinyl-coated cable adjustable up to 10 feet
• Adjustable weight: No, but you can remove the weights
• Which part is weighted: Weighted handles with removable weights
• Price: $44.95

Among the many features to love about the TRX Weighted Jump Rope, such as the adjustable weight and adjustable length, are the extra grippy handles. They are the top feature that users appreciate most according to reviews on Amazon, the TRX website and other third-party retailers. Having a reliable, non-slip grip for vigorous cardio workouts or technical jumps like double unders and crossovers will keep you safe and prevent the handles from flying out of your hands. Plus, you get access to the TRX training club with personal trainers and guided workouts to make your fitness routine more engaging and effective.

Pros:

• Extra grippy rubber handles for enhanced comfort and anti-slip protection
• Adjustable length
• Weighted comfortable handles include removable weights
• Very high customer reviews
• Six-year warranty
• High-quality ball bearing system

Cons:

• Weight is not adjustable
• May not be heavy enough for advanced athletes

Best Heavy Duty Weighted Jump Rope: Rogue Heavy Jump Rope

Key Features:

• Weight: Nine-foot cable is 1.5 pounds (24 ounces) and 10-foot cable is 1.75 pound (28 ounces). The TPE handles are 0.3 pounds (4.8 ounces) each (0.6 pounds for the pair).
• Adjustable length: No, but can buy a nine-foot or 10-foot jump rope
• Adjustable weight: No
• Which part is weighted: Weighted handles and weighted rope
• Price: $55 for nine-foot rope and $60 for 10-foot jump rope

Rogue Fitness is a top manufacturer of strength training equipment and fitness accessories for home gyms and commercial use. The Rogue Fitness Heavy Jump Ropes are crafted using the same high-quality standards to be your go-to resistance tool for warm-up exercises, cardio workouts and building upper-body strength. The Rogue Heavy Jump Ropes come in two cable lengths (nine feet or 10 feet), each which features an extra thick cable with an eight millimeter diameter for added durability for years of use. The anti-slip jump rope handles are made from TPE polymer to improve grip. The diameter of these handles is one inch to help them sit comfortably in your hands. Each weighted handle is 0.3 pounds (4.8 ounces), bringing the total weight of the nine-foot jump rope to 2.1 pounds and the 10-foot rope is 2.35 pounds.

One nice feature about these weighted jump ropes is that both the cable and the handles are weighted. Customer reviews note this makes these heavier ropes have a smooth rotation and more natural feel and can improve the momentum of the swing compared to weighted jump ropes that only have a weighted handle and a lightweight speed jump rope. However, it can take a little bit of time to get used to the feel of having a weighted cable and weighted handles.

Unfortunately, the ropes do not have an adjustable length, but since you can buy them in two different sizes, most users can find an appropriate length jump rope. One thing to be mindful of is that the cables are made from braided steel, so they can scratch delicate hardwood flooring. It can also be a little painful if you miss the jump and the rope hits you, so this is not the best weighted jump rope for beginners who are still mastering their technique. Ultimately, this is one of the best weighted jump ropes for serious athletes looking for a durable, heavy-duty weighted jump rope to build shoulder strength and endurance and take your workouts to the next level.

Pros:

• Steel cable is very durable and tangle-free
• Weighted handles and ropes helps provide even and consistent momentum as you swing
• Heavier ropes are ideal for advanced users interested in upper body strength training

Cons:

• Need to buy three items to get free shipping
• Length is not adjustable
• Steel cable can scratch the flooring
• May be too heavy-duty for beginners
• Rogue advises against doing double unders with these ropes

Best Adjustable Weighted Jump Rope: Everlast Weighted and Adjustable Jump Rope

Key Features:

• Weight: Eight ounces (one-half pound)
• Adjustable length: Yes; vinyl-coated cable adjustable up to 11 feet
• Adjustable weight: No, but you can remove the weights
• Which part is weighted: Weighted handles with removable weights
• Price: $21.99

Everlast is best known for manufacturing boxing equipment. As jump roping is a central component to the conditioning workout routine for boxers and CrossFit athletes, the brand offers a range of speed jump ropes, crossropes and weighted jump ropes. The Everlast Weighted and Adjustable Jump Rope is a budget-friendly jump rope that is a hybrid of the two, featuring a basic speed rope cable and relatively lightweight weighted handles. Each weighted handle has a 0.4-pound removable weight, and the rope itself is a vinyl-coated adjustable length cable that can go up to 11 feet. The grippy, non-slip foam handles are made from ethylene vinyl acetate foam and have ergonomic contouring to sit comfortably in your hand rep after rep, jump after jump.

Related Post: The Best Jump Ropes for Boxing

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Lightweight speed rope is ideal for entry-level weighted jump rope for beginners
• Functions and feels more like a regular jump rope than a weighted jump rope
• Ergonomic handles for added comfort and grip

Cons:

• Weight is not adjustable
• Very lightweight so will not be heavy enough for those looking to get strong

Best Splurge Weighted Jump Rope: Rogue Hyper Rope Jump Rope

Key Features:

• Weight: 7.5 pounds
• Adjustable length: No, but rope is nine feet, nine inches long
• Adjustable weight: No
• Which part is weighted: Weighted rope core coated in polyester exterior
• Price: $139.99

The Hyper Rope® Jump Rope from Rogue Fitness is one of the heaviest weighted jump ropes. We think it is a great option if you really want to build muscle and combine upper body strength training and a full-body cardio workout in one. This high-quality heavy rope is designed to be super durable, featuring the same flexible metal core and braided 100 percent polyester exterior as the Rogue Hyper Rope® Battle Rope often used in CrossFit workouts. This construction makes the rope not only one of the most durable and heaviest weighted jump ropes, but also protects your floors and prevents shedding fibers or premature wear and tear on the rope.

The Hyper Rope Jump Rope weighs 7.5 pounds and measures nine feet, nine inches in length. There are easy-grip jump rope handles designed to improve wrist flexibility and mobility, each which measure four inches in length. Although this jump rope comes with a premium price tag, if you’re serious about your workout routine and want one of the highest-quality, heaviest weighted jump ropes, this is the one to try.

Pros:

• Comes in two colors
• Free shipping
• Heavy rope is great for those looking to get strong
• Very durable

Cons:

• Expensive
• Weight and length are not adjustable

How to Choose the Best Weighted Jump Rope for You

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the best weighted jump rope for your needs:

Weight

Of course, the characteristic that differentiates a weighted jump rope from a regular jump rope is the presence of some amount of weight. It’s important to not only consider the amount of weight for the jump rope, but also how the jump rope is weighted. In terms of the latter, weighted jump ropes typically have either weighted handles, or a weighted rope or cable. Depending on the design, some heavier weighted jump ropes will have both weighted handles and a weighted cable. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but the feel and performance of the jump rope will differ between the two types. Most beginners are more comfortable with using jump ropes where the weight is concentrated in the handle because these take a little less momentum and muscular strength to rotate. This is because the weight is connected to your body rather than swinging through a large arc in space away from your center of mass. It’s also a nice perk when the jump rope features an adjustable weight, which means that beginners can remove some or all of the weight in the handles and then add more back in as your strength and fitness improve.

Weighted jump ropes are available in a wide range of weights, with most products falling between a half pound and three pounds, although some of the heaviest weighted jump ropes are upwards of seven to 10 pounds. Beginners are often appropriately challenged by a one-pound weighted jump rope. Although this doesn’t sound like much weight, it can be quite tiring, particularly if you are going to do a lot of reps and have yet to build up a lot of shoulder strength and endurance. Stronger athletes who are hoping to increase strength and potentially even build muscle should look for heavier jump ropes, weighing at least two pounds, depending on your fitness level.

Length

The length of the jump rope is one of the most important factors that influences how well it will work for you. If the rope length is too short, you will need to tuck your knees and jump far off the ground in order to avoid it hitting your head during the arc of the swing. A similar conundrum can occur when the jump rope is too long. You will have to jump too high or move your arms too far away from your body to take up extra slack, or wrap excess cable around your wrist so that you are not tripping. To determine if a jump rope is the right length for you, step on the center of the rope in your training shoes with both feet side by side. Pull the skipping rope up towards your armpits. When pulled taut, the ends of the jump rope itself (not including the handles) should come up to your armpits. If you’re buying online, use a rope or string to estimate this length.

Choosing a jump rope that has an adjustable rope length will take the worry out of selecting the exact length you need ahead of time out of the equation. It can also be useful in situations where more than one person will use the rope because it can get adjusted appropriately for users of different heights.

Handles

Even the best jump ropes have a very simple design: handles and some sort of cable or rope. Therefore, each of these components will have a significant impact on the useability, comfort and performance of the jump rope. The handles should be ergonomic and have some sort of non-slip grippy texture so that you can keep your fists and wrists relaxed as you rotate the rope rather than needing to clutch the handles so they don’t fly out of your hands. Depending on the length and intensity of your jump rope workouts, your hands are likely to get sweaty, which can make the handles all the more slippery. Memory foam handles, textured silicone or some kind of knurling can improve grip and comfort over basic plastic handles. The length of most jump rope handles is about four to six inches and the diameter is typically around one inch, which is comfortable for most users. However, if your hands are either really large or small, you should pay attention to the handle dimensions when you’re looking to buy a weighted jump rope and look for something appropriately large or small.

How We Chose the Best Weighted Jump Ropes

To choose the best weighted jump rope, we looked at the highest-rated products from top fitness equipment manufacturers. We evaluated each weighted jump rope based on the design, user ratings, value relative to the cost and quality of construction based on materials and performance reviews. In the user reviews, we looked for products that were reported to be durable, easy to use, tangle-free, ergonomic and a good value.

When considering the design, we looked at not only how much the jump rope weighs, but whether it has an adjustable weight and where the weight is applied (handles, cable or both). We also looked at the length of the cable, and tried to choose weighted jump rope that had an adjustable rope length or more than one length option offered so that users of different heights would be able to train with the jump rope. Additionally, we considered the materials used for the handles, cable, grip and ball bearings. Lastly, we try to choose the top weighted jump ropes that offer different features and price points to help users of different fitness levels, fitness goals and budget find the best weighted jump ropes for their own personal needs.

Benefits of Working Out with a Weighted Jump Rope

Working out with a weighted jump rope offers all of the health and fitness benefits of regular jump roping, with the added benefits of helping strengthen upper-body muscles such as the shoulders. According to Harvard Health Publishing, depending on your body weight, fast jumping with a regular jump rope burns about 340 to 503 calories in 30 minutes, while slow jumping burns 226 to 335. Swinging a heavier rope will burn even more calories. For this reason, jump rope workouts can be an effective way to lose weight and body fat. Jumping rope also helps improve balance and coordination, increases bone density and is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health. In fact, one study found that 10 minutes of jumping rope provides approximately the same boost in cardiovascular efficiency as 30 minutes of jogging. Jumping rope can also improve your VO2 max, which is a measure of your aerobic capacity. Therefore, if you’re short on time, you can bang out a great full-body workout using a weighted jump rope without needing to slog through a long session on a treadmill. Perhaps best of all, working out with a weighted jump rope can increase muscular strength and power, even more so than with a regular jump rope. Lastly, an often-overlooked, but important aspect of your fitness routine, is the enjoyment factor. Jump roping can be really fun, which may increase your adherence, making it easier to achieve your fitness goals.

FAQs

Can you build muscle with a weighted jump rope?

Weighted jump ropes are a great way to strengthen your muscles while getting a vigorous cardio workout. However, you won’t necessarily build muscle because muscle growth requires using heavier resistance than the weight of a weighted jump rope, usually cited to be 65-85 percent of your one-repetition maximum for an exercise. If your goal is to build muscle, the recommendation is typically to get at least a two-pound rope and to consider adding resistance training workouts to your fitness routine.

Are weighted jump ropes effective?

Weighted jump rope workouts can be effective for increasing your fitness, improving coordination and proprioception, losing weight and increasing strength. However, your weight loss results and other improvements in fitness will depend on your fitness level, overall workout routine and what your weighted jump rope workouts entail in terms of intensity, frequency and duration.

Is a one-pound jump rope too heavy?

The specific weight you should use will depend on your fitness level and fitness goals. A one-pound jump rope is a great starting place for beginners and intermediate athletes, and can be good for advanced athletes who want to do endurance workouts. It might be too heavy for novice users or seniors. A half-pound jump rope might be a better starting place.

How long should you jump with a weighted jump rope?

The optimal length of your weighted jump rope workouts will depend on your fitness level and goals. Beginners can start with just a few minutes, or can try short intervals of 30 seconds of jumping followed by rest in a HIIT-style workout. Build up to 15-20 minutes or more, particularly if your goal is to lose weight or increase your endurance.

Final Thoughts

Weighted jump ropes are an affordable, versatile training tool that can give you a good cardio and strengthening workout without taking up dedicated floor space in your home gym. Choosing the best weighted jump rope involves considering what weight is appropriate for your fitness level and training goals, your budget, the length you need and the materials and grip of the handle. Spending a little more money to get a rope with an adjustable length and adjustable weight, as well as memory foam handles or non-slip handles instead of plastic handles is typically well worth the investment for a more comfortable jump rope that will “grow” with you as your fitness improves.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.