A skipping rope remains one of the most affordable pieces of home exercise kit: it costs less than a month at the gym, fits in a backpack and gives you a proper cardio workout in 10 or 15 minutes. But a poor choice quickly kills the motivation: a rope that is too long tangles, a thin cable wears out on tarmac, and slippery handles fly out of sweaty palms. Here is what to look for when buying, along with popular skipping ropes from AliExpress.
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Length: the key factor
Here is how to check the right length: stand with both feet on the middle of the rope and pull the handles up along your body until the rope is taut. The end of the rope, not counting the handles, should reach roughly your armpits or the level of your breastbone.
- A rope that is too long and reaches above your chest turns slowly, hits the floor and breaks your rhythm.
- A rope that is too short and does not reach your armpits will catch your feet and will not pass under them.
Beginners are advised to take a slightly longer rope, as it is easier to find a rhythm. As your skill grows, you shorten the rope, it turns faster and the workout gets more intense. That is why an adjustable model is almost always the better choice: you can fit the length to yourself, and one rope works for the whole family.
Rope material
The rope determines both the speed and the durability of a skipping rope.
Coated steel cable
A thin steel cable in a plastic or vinyl coating is light and fast, and it is the main choice for fitness and CrossFit. The thinner the cable, the faster the rotation, but the faster it wears on rough surfaces, and it can kink. For outdoors and concrete, choose a cable with a tough coating, and keep the thinnest speed models for smooth floors or rubber flooring at home.
PVC rope
A solid PVC rope is thicker and heavier than a cable. It turns more slowly, which makes it good for learning technique, and it lasts a long time. A thick PVC rope is often chosen for trick jumping.
Beaded rope
A cord threaded with rigid plastic segments. Such a rope is light and holds its shape in the air, so it is easy to turn and you can see where it is. Beginners and freestylers like it. Cotton and nylon ropes also exist, but they do not last long.
Weighted models
Weighted ropes put extra load on the shoulders and arms and slow the rotation. Start with a small weight and increase it gradually; these models are not suited to speed workouts.
Handles and bearings
Handles should be textured or have a soft coating: smooth plastic slips once your palms get sweaty. Longer handles are more comfortable with larger hands and are needed for advanced moves. Bearings where the rope attaches give smooth rotation without twisting, which matters especially for fast jumping and double unders. On the simplest ropes the cord just passes through the handle and starts to twist over time.
What suits whom
- A beginner at home: an adjustable rope with a coated cable or a PVC rope, with coated handles.
- For CrossFit and interval training: a speed model with bearings and a thin cable.
- For tricks: a thick PVC rope or a beaded rope.
- If you are short on space or have a low ceiling: a cordless skipping rope that you can use without the rope itself.
If you have joint problems or high blood pressure, talk to a doctor before starting rope training. Jump in cushioned trainers and on a springy surface: a rubber mat noticeably reduces the load on your knees.
Popular skipping ropes from AliExpress
Adjustable steel cable skipping rope
The bestselling model on the list. A steel cable, adjustable length and a design that keeps the rope from tangling. A good basic option for home workouts at a low price.
Price on 19 October: £1.82
Sold: 6267+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Cordless skipping rope with bearings
A dual-purpose model: use it with the cable as a regular skipping rope, or without it if you do not have room to jump. The handles have bearings. A handy option for a flat with low ceilings or for exercising near furniture.
Price on 19 October: £3.93
Sold: 4469+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Adjustable skipping rope with ball-bearing swivels
A fast, tangle-free rope: the cord attaches to the handles through ball-bearing swivels, so it does not twist. The length is adjustable. It suits both men and women for aerobics and cardio workouts.
Price on 19 October: £1.85
Sold: 3425+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
MOGOLD speed skipping rope
A speed model from the official MOGOLD store. Reinforced construction, light weight, smooth rotation on ball bearings and adjustable length. The manufacturer positions it for CrossFit, and it suits double unders and interval training.
Price on 19 October: £6.39
Sold: 2130+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.2%
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NEVERTOOLATE JR100-6 with PVC rope
A skipping rope from a specialist brand with a thick 6 mm PVC rope that is 3.2 metres long, and medium-length 15.5 cm handles. The heavy rope turns evenly and predictably, so it is good for practising technique and tricks.
Price on 19 October: £8.90
Sold: 658+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.5%
View on AliExpress
NEVERTOOLATE beaded skipping rope
A beaded freestyle rope with rigid polyethylene segments on a thick 4.5 mm core, weighing about 128 grams. This rope is easy to see in the air and holds its shape, which makes learning advanced moves easier.
Price on 19 October: £6.11
Sold: 321+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.7%
View on AliExpress
The bottom line
First decide what you want: for weight loss and general fitness, an adjustable cable rope is enough; for speed you need a model with bearings; for tricks, go for PVC or beads. Then fit the length using the armpit rule, and do not skimp on the handles. Every model on the list costs under £9, so a wrong choice will not cost you much.