Jumping rope can be an awesome cardio exercise if you learn the technique properly. In today’s post, we’re talking about one of those techniques – the double under and will be discussing the best jump rope for double unders.
Not only does skipping rope help you burn a lot of calories and improve your agility and reflexes, it’s also cheap and can be performed practically anywhere.
Don’t assume that a jumping exercise has to be a high-impact one; in fact, contrary to popular belief, landing on the balls of your feet will take the stress off your joints, making it suitable for all ages and conditions.
Jumping rope may be difficult, but a more challenging variation of this exercise, the double unders, has gained recent popularity among fitness enthusiasts.
What is a double under you might ask? A double under happens when the rope passes under your feet twice in one jump.
A quality jump rope is one of the most important pieces of equipment for mastering this exercise, and as mentioned above, we’re going to show you how to shop for the best jump ropes for double unders.
Before starting your search, there are 4 main properties that a quality jump rope must have:
1- Handle
The handle is not just a means of gripping the cord; the shape of the handle greatly affects the competence with which you jump, and ultimately leads to a better technique.
Wood or plastic is usually the first dilemma we face when choosing a jump rope, when in fact, it doesn’t really matter much. The main thing to getting the best jump rope for double unders is the connection between the handle and the rope.
Quality jump ropes should allow the rope to revolve freely from the handle. Next, you will need to look for ball bearings, these are used to distribute the weight of the rope throughout each jump to make the exercise smoother.
2- Length
In brief, taller people need longer jump ropes.
Keep in mind that there’s a static length and a dynamic length. The static length is measured when the rope is not in use and the dynamic length is the range covered by the rope mid-jump. Dynamic rope length will depend on your body size and the exercise you’re doing, so when choosing your beginner’s jump rope, keep your eye on static length more.
To figure out the suitable static length for you, check out this video:
That technique can be described as follows:
- Begin with your anchor point, which is your hand placement – hands should be placed at your midline axis and right at your frontal plane.
- Your hands can glide in or out along this axis.
- Keep the elbows relaxed down by your side with your shoulders disengaged.
- Your rotator cuff flexibility may dictate your elbow placement, but the important part is to keep your hands from shifting forward.
- Once we have your anchor point fixated at your midline axis we then want your rope to have an even turnover passing overhead and in front of the toes with at least one-foot clearance at both points.
3- Weight
The third thing to keep an eye out for when browsing for a good double under jump rope is the weight.
Heavier jump ropes will move slower than lighter ones, providing you with more control over the cable which allows you to gradually improve your coordination.
Because of the slow movement, a heavier jump rope is a great choice for those trying double unders for the first time.
For intermediate and advanced users, a lightweight rope is usually your best option for speed and less shoulder and wrist fatigue.
4- Material
The last point to consider before your purchase is the rope material. There are different materials used, and the type you choose will depend on experience and condition.
The most common beginners’ ropes are made with vinyl plastic or rubber.
They are durable and usually, come in a variety of colors. The best jump rope for double unders is usually made with thin metal cables, but this is aimed more towards intermediate to advanced jumpers.
We do recommend staying away from metal cables if you’re not proficient with jump ropes, due to the fact that you can easily “whip” yourself with it.
It’s time to review some of the best jump rope for double unders available on the market:
ZojiFit Jump Rope for Double Unders Premium ZojiRopes
Priced at only $18.97, these ropes are as quick as it gets for a fast swing and a killer workout.
With long and comfortable handles, metal joints and the rope portion itself being made of metal and coated with vinyl, the Zoji Jump rope is one of the best jump rope for double unders in the market. You can adjust the length of the rope easily, and because ZojiFit installed two separate points of rotation, it’s almost impossible for the rope to get tangled up when you’re exercising.
If you’re looking for speed, comfort, and durability, then the ZojiRope jump rope is the premium choice available.
WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope
Made with Ballistic plastic handles connected to metal bearings for effortless and controlled rotations, the WOD nation speed rope jump is a great choice for all ages. An all-rounder, priced at $17.97, available with a variety of funky colors, and made with quality finishing. If you’re looking for a smooth and fast rope that has enough weight to give you that drive on each of your swings, then this product is the right design for you.
An all-rounder, priced at $17.97, available with a variety of funky colors, and made with quality finishing. If you’re looking for a smooth and fast rope that has enough weight to give you that drive on each of your swings, then this product is the right design for you.
If you’re looking for a smooth and fast rope that has enough weight to give you that drive on each of your swings, then this product is the right design for you.
Master of Muscle Jump Rope
If you’re looking to get the best Quality/Price ratio and value for money, then the Master of Muscle Jump Rope is clearly the winner. Sold at only $8.99, bundled with a carry case, cable protector, screw kit, and a workout e-book, it’s without a doubt the best jump rope for under 10 dollars.
You might think that at half the price of its competitors, this jump rope is compromising on certain features, well it isn’t.
It has a nice sturdy grip, doesn’t tangle and is easily rolled up for storage when you want to tuck it away. Rope length is adjustable, and the company is offering a lifetime guarantee.
RitFit Speed Jump Rope
Another highly rated jump rope is the RitFit Speed.
This jump rope has a fully adjustable length, fitted with durable and solid plastic handles and also carries a lifetime guarantee. The rope has a metal wire core coated in a plastic.
The rope has a diameter of 3.5mm, slightly bigger than the 3mm diameter of the thinnest ropes, which could be helpful for intermediate users as it provides better pace control.
While we listed the best jump rope for double unders, the truth is each one of these products would be an excellent choice and the differences aren’t necessarily significant for the average user, so it’s simply a matter of personal preference to go with the product of your liking.