by Debby Dyess

Created on: June 07, 2009

Choosing a jump rope used to be easy; I always picked the green one with a pink cord braided through the rope. My mom carefully adjusted the length of the rope by pulling the excess through the hole in the handle, hacking it off and putting a knot in it. The leftover piece became a jump rope for my dolls.

Life was simple. So was picking my jump rope.

Jumping rope has come a long way in the past decades (and no, I won't say how many). People who jump competitively are already into the sport enough to know what rope they need to attain their best speed and performance. They generally pick a rope based both on performance and color, which allows their best to not only shine through, but be seen easily by judges and spectators.

Let me insert right now that I am not a professional competitive jumper. Odds are, if you're reading this article, neither are you.

Instead of flash and speed, we need ropes that will accommodate our needs.

My goals in jumping are different now than when I was six, and so, consequently, is my choice of ropes. Color is no longer the determining factor. At almost 50, I don't jump for fun (although it is) - I'm in it for the health benefits, which include cardiovascular, muscle ad core strength and that all important weight loss.

So, how to choose the perfect rope for jumping to a healthy you?

Ropes are generally made from one of four materials: pro-vinyl, beaded plastic, leather and cloth. For exercise purposes, plastic or plastic band ropes are better. Cloth ropes tend to be too flimsy and leather ropes are too stiff and take too long to break in. Like any new exercise program, eliminating the discouragement-factor is important, so using a hard, unyielding rope, or one that doesn't swing with enough consistency, is out.

That leaves pro-vinyl and plastic bead. The two are light-weight and easy to use, which makes them perfect for exercise programs. Plastic beaded ropes are the least expensive of your choices, starting at about $5. Pro-vinyl are a more technically advanced rope, made of light, durable vinyl. With molded PCV handles and ball bearing action to enhance the speed and smoothness of the swing, the pro-vinyl is an excellent choice for exercising, and prices start at $10.

As you move up in skill, you might choose a different rope to accommodate your higher ability level. Weighted ropes, obviously, have weights built in to the rope. The extra heft helps develop upper body strength and endurance, although it

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