by Bonnie Thomas

Created on: June 04, 2009

Cinderella, dressed in yellow

Went upstairs to kiss a fellow,

Made a mistake

Kissed a snake,

How many doctors will it take?

During childhood, jumping rope was as simple as memorizing a rhyme and picking up the nearest rope on the playground. Even then, skipping rope was a great form of exercise. However, a little more thought and care must be put into selecting exercise equipment, such as a jump rope, for adults to ensure a safe, effective, and continued workout.

There are many varieties of jump ropes on the market. There are woven ropes, leather ropes, speed ropes, segmented or beaded ropes, and weighted ropes. Each rope serves a different purpose. Ropes can be used for training, recreation, tricks, and competition. The purpose will determine which rope is the most appropriate selection.

Woven Ropes

These ropes are the oldest known ropes used for jumping rope. Woven ropes are made from hemp, nylon, or cotton. The advantage to using these ropes is that the material is soft and will not sting if it strikes a leg. This make is great for a beginner or for learning new tricks. However, the fabric is fairly rough and less aerodynamic which slows down the routine.

Leather Ropes

Leather ropes have been the traditional selection of most boxers. This is probably because they facilitate speed. The leather slices quickly through the air. Unfortunately, this means that these ropes have the ability to produce a biting sting if they catch a leg. Additionally the rope can be more expensive than others and can gnarl easily.

Speed Ropes

These ropes are made from plastic, vinyl, or PVC material. These are the fastest jump rope on the market and a necessity for those competing in speed competitions. They are inexpensive and durable. They are an excellent selection if speed is the only criteria. These ropes are best used indoors as they are very light and will not perform well with wind resistance. Regrettably, these ropes also will produce a nasty sting if the user misses.

Weighted Ropes

A weighted rope will either have the weight in the handles or in the actual rope. The purpose of the weight is to increase the strength in the upper extremities. This rope can easily be used indoors or outdoors. The weight counteracts wind resistance. However, this rope is not a good selection for those wishing to pursue a routine geared around speed. Another downfall to this rope is that it will produce a greater sting if the user misses a beat

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