When setting the length for a rope, stand on it and bring the handles up to the armpits. That is a good basic length to start with and it can be adjusted more or less later.

So without further ado, let us drill down the options…

Cloth Jump Rope

Cloth Jump Ropes are a good choice why trying to minimize noise or any floor abrasions from the rope hitting the floor. Rather than a Beaded Jump Rope, these cloth ones are quiet and won’t make any scratches on your flooring. They are the slowest jump rope, and some may prefer that when starting off because getting hit in the face with a weighted, plastic, or leather rope can be a painful mistake. Check out our Best Jump Ropes: Cloth for selections to choose from.

Plastic/Vinyl Jump Rope

Plastic/vinyl jump ropes are the cheapest and least fun type to use, in my opinion. It is a thicker, less quality vinyl than the kind found in speed jump ropes. They do not respond very well to subtle changes in wrist angles and this makes it more difficult to do double hops or other precision moves. If you are going to be adding some special moves or rhythms to your jump rope regimen, you would be wise to get a more supple, responsive rope. Also, plastic/vinyl tends to wear out faster and is not very tolerant to different temperatures. One of these ropes in a hot, sweaty room is not going to behave the same as outside in December. Something to think about while trying to avoid twirling it into your face  :)

Leather Jump Rope

Leather Jump Ropes have a good, classic feel to them. The cord is heavier and thicker than the plastic ones and the handles are wooden. It makes for a more “natural” feel if that is possible. The cord responds well to temperature changes and a little bit of oil on the rope every now and then keeps it supple and in top shape. This rope is easier than a plastic one to do speed work with or patterns.

Speed Jump Rope

Speed Jump Ropes are just as they sound: FAST. They are made from a very thin vinyl cord. Because they are so thin and built for speed, they are best used outside where they won’t get worn down from striking the floor. These are the kinds used by boxers and other athletes who push themselves to the limit. If you are looking for a rope that can keep up with your fancy footwork and the fastest of hand twirls, look no further. You can control the cord length by setting the cord knot running through the handle. The only drawback to these is that since the cord is so very thin, it can tangle up rather easily. But hey, I don’t think there are many boxers that would let some cord tangling get in the way of their punishing, sweat-a-thon of a mega workout!

Double Dutch Jump Rope

Double Dutch Jump Ropes come in a pair. The double dutch jumping style involves using two ropes which are spun by two different people while one or more jumpers hop in the middle. These ropes are longer than those used by one person. They range from 14 feet to 63 feet when using lots of jumpers. There are three main kinds of jump rope in the double dutch variety. Beaded ropes are easy to twirl and have good control, cloth ropes are lighter and easy to twirl, and licorice is rope used in competitive speed challenges. What a fun fitness activity for a family or group of friends!

Kids Jump Rope

Kids Jump Ropes are shorter than those made for adults and usually don’t come in the leather or speed variety. Starting off with a beaded kids rope is a great idea because they don’t tangle as easily as cotton ones. Just like with adults, kids can get frustrated very quickly sometimes so make sure that the length is set correctly.

Beaded Jump Rope

Beaded Jump Ropes are just like the beaded bracelets or necklaces some of you have worn. It is like a vinyl rope but has one or two inch plastic little tubes or beads strung on it. Usually the beads are in different colors so as to add some flash or be more visible in a competition or display. These are the ropes to get if you have and abrasive flooring surfaces like concrete. They are very durable and will last a long time. They are also the least susceptible to tangling because the beads do a good job of keeping the rope out of kinks and getting wrapped up with itself. That is a plus for those new to jumping rope, although it isn’t a big deal to spend a couple minutes every now and then to de-tangle your rope. Durability and twirling comfort would be the best features this kind could offer. Also, one cool feature of this kind is the sound it makes when skimming the floor. Skillfully twirling the rope to make a rhythm can be a fun addition to a routine. Some might call it meditative!

So there you have Best Jump Rope: The Different Kinds. You can’t really go wrong with any of them, but everyone has a preference. Hopefully now you’ve got what you need to choose the one right for you. Heck, get a couple for some variation!