You picked up a skipping rope at a car boot sale for 50p, gave it three minutes in the garden, and couldn’t breathe. Your calves burned. You tripped every fourth rotation. The handles were sticky plastic that smelled like a swimming pool. And yet — those three minutes felt like a better workout than 20 on the treadmill. That’s the thing about skipping: it’s brutally effective, absurdly cheap, and takes up less space than a yoga mat.
The rope you use matters more than you’d think. A speed rope feels nothing like a weighted rope, and both feel nothing like that PVC monstrosity from your school PE cupboard. The right rope for your goals — whether that’s HIIT conditioning, boxing training, CrossFit double-unders, or just a cardio option that doesn’t involve running in the rain — makes the difference between a workout tool and a frustration device.
In This Article
- Our Top Pick for Most People
- Speed Ropes vs Weighted Ropes: What Is the Difference?
- Best Skipping Ropes: Our Picks
- Rush Athletics Speed Rope
- Beast Gear Speed Skipping Rope
- Crossrope Get Lean Set
- RDX Weighted Skipping Rope
- Gritin Adjustable Speed Rope
- Head-to-Head: Speed vs Weighted for Different Goals
- How to Choose the Right Length
- Skipping Rope Workouts to Try
- Frequently Asked Questions
Our Top Pick for Most People
The Beast Gear Speed Skipping Rope (about £10 from Amazon UK) is our top pick. For a tenner, you get a ball-bearing handle mechanism that spins freely, a steel cable coated in PVC that cuts through air with zero drag, adjustable length, and build quality that’s lasted over a year of regular use without any wobble or wear. It’s the rope most CrossFit boxes in the UK stock, and for good reason — it handles basic skipping, double-unders, and HIIT intervals equally well. If you want one rope for everything, this is it.
Speed Ropes vs Weighted Ropes: What Is the Difference?
Understanding this distinction saves you from buying the wrong rope for your goals.
Speed Ropes
Speed ropes are lightweight — the cable weighs almost nothing, and the handles are designed for fast rotation. Ball-bearing mechanisms in the handles let the cable spin freely without twisting. The cable is typically thin steel coated in PVC or nylon.
Best for:
- Double-unders — the rope passes twice per jump, requiring very fast rotation
- HIIT and cardio conditioning — fast skipping at high RPM gets your heart rate up quickly
- Boxing footwork — lightweight ropes mimic the rhythm boxers need
- Beginners learning basic technique — the light weight is forgiving when you trip
Weighted Ropes
Weighted ropes add resistance, either in the handles (weighted handles with a light cable), in the cable itself (thick, heavy cables), or both. Total rope weight ranges from 0.5 kg to 2 kg+.
Best for:
- Upper body and shoulder conditioning — the added weight turns skipping into a resistance exercise for your arms, shoulders, and forearms
- Slower, more deliberate skipping — the weight gives you more feedback on rope position, which some people prefer
- Strength-endurance training — combining cardio with muscular fatigue
- Rehab and coordination work — the heavier rotation is easier to time than a whippy speed rope
Can You Use One for Both?
The Crossrope system lets you swap cables on the same handles — a light cable for speed work and a heavy one for weighted sessions. It’s the best of both worlds if you want versatility, but it costs considerably more than buying a dedicated rope for each purpose.
Best Skipping Ropes: Our Picks
Rush Athletics Speed Rope
Price: About £15 | Type: Speed | Cable: Steel/PVC coated | Weight: 130g
The Rush Athletics rope is a step up from generic Amazon speed ropes. The ball bearings are smoother than the Beast Gear’s, and the aluminium handles have a better grip that doesn’t get slippery when your hands sweat — a real issue during a 10-minute HIIT set. The cable is thinner than average, which means less air resistance and faster rotation.
We tested this back-to-back with the Beast Gear for double-unders, and the Rush was noticeably easier for consecutive sets. The difference is small but real — if you’re specifically training double-unders or competition CrossFit, the £5 premium is worth it.
- Best for: CrossFit athletes, double-under specialists, anyone who finds cheap handles uncomfortable
- Buy from: Amazon UK, rushathleticsuk.com
- Downsides: the thin cable is less visible in peripheral vision, which makes timing harder for beginners
Beast Gear Speed Skipping Rope
Price: About £10 | Type: Speed | Cable: Steel/PVC coated | Weight: 170g
The Beast Gear is our best overall pick because it does everything well at a price that’s almost disposable. The ball-bearing handles spin freely, the cable is adjustable to any height, and it comes with a carry bag. Build quality is solid — we’ve had one in regular use for 14 months with no issues.
For beginners, the slightly thicker cable (compared to the Rush) is actually an advantage — it’s easier to see and feel, which helps with timing. For intermediate skippers, it handles basic tricks and double-unders without complaint.
- Best for: everyone from beginners to intermediate, home gym use, and travel
- Buy from: Amazon UK
- Downsides: the handles are plastic (not aluminium) and can get slippery in very sweaty sessions
Crossrope Get Lean Set
Price: About £65-80 | Type: Interchangeable (speed + weighted) | Cable: 0.12 kg + 0.5 kg options | Weight: Varies by cable
Crossrope is the premium option and the only system here that lets you swap between speed and weighted cables on the same handles. The magnetic clip mechanism makes cable changes take about 5 seconds. The handles are chunky, ergonomic, and beautifully made — they feel like a serious piece of kit, not a toy.
The Get Lean set comes with a thin speed cable (0.12 kg) and a medium-weight cable (0.5 kg). You can buy heavier cables (1 kg, 2 kg) separately for shoulder-burning resistance work. The Crossrope app includes guided workouts that sync with the cable weight you’ve selected.
- Best for: people who want both speed and weighted training without owning multiple ropes, anyone motivated by app-based training
- Buy from: crossrope.com, Amazon UK
- Downsides: expensive for a skipping rope, the handles are thicker than pure speed rope handles (some people prefer thinner grips for fast rotation)
RDX Weighted Skipping Rope
Price: About £12-15 | Type: Weighted | Cable: PVC heavy-gauge | Weight: 350g (rope only)
RDX makes solid combat sports equipment, and their weighted rope reflects that heritage. The thick PVC cable weighs 350g and provides noticeable resistance through the shoulders and forearms during extended sessions. The handles are comfortable foam-padded grips with smooth bearings.
This is the rope boxers and MMA fighters use for conditioning. A 3-minute round with the RDX feels like it lasts ten — your arms fatigue fast, and your heart rate climbs quicker than with a speed rope because you’re recruiting more upper body muscle. After a month of regular use, the shoulder endurance gains were noticeable in other exercises.
- Best for: boxing and combat sport conditioning, upper body endurance, people who find speed ropes too light to feel satisfying
- Buy from: Amazon UK, rdxsports.co.uk
- Downsides: too heavy for double-unders, and the thick cable is slower to rotate (by design)
Gritin Adjustable Speed Rope
Price: About £5-6 | Type: Speed (budget) | Cable: Steel/PVC coated | Weight: 150g
The Gritin is the budget pick for anyone who wants to try skipping without committing to a premium rope. At under £6, you get ball-bearing handles, an adjustable steel cable, and a carry pouch. It works. The bearings aren’t as smooth as the Beast Gear or Rush, and the handles feel hollow, but for casual use or travel it’s perfectly adequate.
If you’re not sure you’ll stick with skipping, start here. If you get hooked (and you probably will), upgrade to the Beast Gear or Rush after a few months.
- Best for: absolute beginners, casual skippers, travel, trying skipping before investing
- Buy from: Amazon UK
- Downsides: handles feel cheap, bearings develop slight wobble after 6+ months of regular use
Head-to-Head: Speed vs Weighted for Different Goals
For Weight Loss and HIIT
Speed rope wins. According to the NHS physical activity guidelines, vigorous-intensity exercise like fast skipping burns more calories per minute than most gym machines. A speed rope lets you maintain high RPM for interval sets (30 seconds on, 15 seconds rest) that maximise calorie burn and cardiovascular conditioning. Pair it with a HIIT workout plan for variety.
For Muscle Building
Weighted rope. The added resistance turns skipping from pure cardio into a hybrid cardio-strength exercise. Shoulders, forearms, and grip take real load. It’s not going to replace dumbbell training, but it adds muscular endurance that pure cardio doesn’t.
For Boxing and Combat Sports
Both — but at different times. Weighted for conditioning rounds (building shoulder endurance for holding your guard), speed for footwork and timing. Most boxing gyms use weighted ropes for warm-ups and speed ropes for skill work.
For CrossFit
Speed rope. Double-unders are a CrossFit staple, and you need the lightest, fastest rope possible. The Rush Athletics or a dedicated competition rope from RPM or RX Smart Gear are the CrossFit standards.
How to Choose the Right Length
A rope that’s too long catches on the floor and slows your rhythm. Too short and it clips your feet or forces an awkward, hunched posture.
The Sizing Method
- Stand on the centre of the rope with one foot
- Pull the handles straight up along your body
- The handles should reach your armpits (not including the cable above the handle)
General Length Guide
- Under 165 cm tall: 240-260 cm rope
- 165-178 cm tall: 270-285 cm rope
- 178-188 cm tall: 285-300 cm rope
- Over 188 cm tall: 300-320 cm rope
Most ropes on this list are adjustable — you cut the cable to length and secure it with the handle mechanism. Cut slightly longer than you think you need; you can always trim more, but you can’t add cable back.
Surfaces and Setup
Where you skip matters more than most people realise.
Best Surfaces
- Rubber gym flooring — the ideal surface. Absorbs impact, protects joints, and doesn’t damage the rope. Interlocking rubber tiles (about £30-50 for a 1.5m x 1.5m area from Amazon UK) are a worthwhile investment if you’re skipping regularly
- Concrete or tarmac — works fine but is harder on joints and wears cables faster. A thin cable on rough concrete frays within 3-4 months of daily use. Thicker PVC-coated cables (Beast Gear, RDX) hold up better
- Wooden floors — good for indoor skipping. Protective if you’re in a flat, put a rubber mat down to avoid marking the floor and absorb some impact
- Grass and carpet — not recommended for speed ropes. The cable drags and catches, ruining your rhythm. Weighted ropes cope slightly better but still aren’t ideal
Space Requirements
You need about 2 metres of clearance in every direction — above, in front, behind, and to each side. Ceiling height matters: standard UK ceilings (2.4m) work for most people under 180 cm tall, but if you’re taller or have low ceilings, skip outside or in a garage. Light fittings, smoke detectors, and hanging picture frames are all casualties of indoor skipping — ask me how I know.
Skipping Rope Workouts to Try
Beginner: 10-Minute Foundation
- 30 seconds basic bounce (both feet, low jump)
- 30 seconds rest
- Repeat 10 times
Focus on keeping your elbows tucked, wrists doing the work (not big arm circles), and jumping just high enough for the rope to pass under — about 2-3 cm off the ground. If you trip, reset and continue.
Intermediate: 15-Minute HIIT
- 40 seconds fast skipping
- 20 seconds rest
- 40 seconds alternating foot step (running in place)
- 20 seconds rest
- 40 seconds high knees
- 20 seconds rest
- Repeat 5 rounds
This one gets your heart rate into the 85-90% max zone by round 3. Keep the rope speed high during work intervals — aim for 120+ RPM once you’ve got the rhythm.
Advanced: Double-Under Practice
- 10 double-unders (or attempts)
- 20 single bounces
- Repeat for 5 minutes
Double-unders require a higher jump and faster wrist snap. The rope passes under your feet twice per jump. Most people need 2-4 weeks of daily practice before they can string together 10 consecutive double-unders. It’s frustrating at first — the rope will whip your shins repeatedly — but the skill clicks eventually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is skipping better than running for fitness? Minute-for-minute, skipping burns more calories than running at a moderate pace and has lower impact on your joints (the jumps are smaller than running strides). But running builds endurance over longer distances, while skipping excels for short, intense conditioning. Ideally, do both — but if you hate running, skipping is a more-than-adequate replacement for cardio.
Will a weighted rope help me lose weight faster? A weighted rope burns slightly more calories per session because it recruits more muscle. But the difference is modest — maybe 10-15% more than a speed rope at the same duration. The bigger factor is consistency. Use whichever rope you’ll actually pick up 4-5 times a week.
How long should I skip for as a beginner? Start with 5-10 minutes total (including rest periods). Skipping is deceptively intense — most beginners gas out within 2 minutes of continuous jumping. Build up gradually: add 1-2 minutes per week until you can skip for 15-20 minutes with structured intervals.
Can I skip on carpet or grass? A speed rope works best on a hard, flat surface — concrete, rubber gym flooring, or a wooden floor. Carpet and grass slow the rope and make tripping more likely. If you’re skipping outdoors on concrete, consider a slightly thicker cable (the Beast Gear is ideal) as thin cables fray faster on rough surfaces.
Do I need special shoes for skipping? Cross-trainers or indoor training shoes with flat soles and good cushioning are ideal. Running shoes work but the curved soles can affect balance during lateral movements. Skip barefoot only on soft surfaces — the impact is higher than you’d expect, and repeated jumping on hard floors without cushioning can cause foot pain.