4 Best Jump Ropes for CrossFit (2023)
Oct 14, 2023Jordan Lindstrom
In my 20+ years as a jump rope competitor and coach I've worked with thousands of athletes looking to improve their skill with double unders. I get asked all the time for my recommendation on jump ropes for CrossFit.
A few years ago it was much easier to give a recommendation, because CrossFit programming focused exclusively on double unders (where you pass the rope under your feet twice with one jump). But more recently WODs and competitions have worked in different jump rope skills, including single unders, double unders with heavy ropes and, most recently, the double under crossover, which debuted at the 2022 CrossFit Games.
Games rookie Nick Matthew came from behind to win Event 3 by getting through the double under crossover better than any other athlete.
This means we need to expand our definition of a CrossFit rope from one that simply goes really fast for double unders to jump ropes that also offer versatility for slower jumping and freestyle movements. With that said, here are my recommendations for each category.
| Category | Model | Price |
| Best for Overall (fastest) |
Bullet COMP® | $71 |
| Best for Beginners | Performance Rope | $45 |
| Best on a Budget | Spark Rope | $18 |
| Best for Double Under Crosses | Freestyle Beaded | $27 |
Bullet COMP® - Best Overall
Best for Competitive Athletes: The Bullet COMP® is the speed rope used by the top speed jumpers and CrossFit athletes in the world. It was used to set a double under world record (40,980 double unders in 12 hours!) in 2021 and an Octuple under world record in 2022, and was the rope used by Nick Mathews to win the double under event in the 2022 CrossFit games. This is also the rope used by top athletes Sam Kwant, Kyra Milligan and Will Moorad.
Why this jump rope? It features ultra light 1oz machined aluminum handles and a smooth dual ball bearing spin that makes spinning it effortless. Light weight handles unlock longer double under sets, and the handles have a self adjusting sizing system making micro size adjustments easy. No dealing with screws. It comes with a handy Joey Bag for quick and efficient storage after use.
Our recommendation: Grab this rope if you're a competitor or aspirational. We often go to CrossFit events and see people set double under PRs on their first try.
Customers say: "It's just different."
Price: $71 - website
Sports Performance Rope - Best for Beginners
Best for Developing Skill: The one issue we notice with the Bullet COMP is it can be "too fast" and "too light" for beginners. It can be hard to master the rhythm of double unders with lightweight handles and cables because you can't "feel" the spin. We developed the Sports Performance Rope bundle to help solve these problems. Longer 6.5" handles weigh 2oz and feel much more substantial in the hand. This rope also comes with a variety of cord thicknesses for developing skill at slower RPMs.
Swap out to thinner speed cables as you improve.
Longer handles also make practicing movements like the double under cross easier.
Customers say: "Thanks to your rope I was able to get double unders pretty much a few days after using it."
Specs:
- Handle weight: 2oz (each)
- Handle length: 6.5"
- High grade aluminum handles with dual ball bearings for an effortless spin. Nylon coated USA-made steel cable.
Price: $45 - website
Spark Rope
Best Value: The Spark Rope is a great starting spot for anyone getting into the sport and wanting to get their own rope for double unders on a budget. It's a no fuss, classic speed rope with grippy plastic polymer (essentially unbreakable) handles and a USA made nylon coated speed cable. This rope will get you started and go as fast as you need.
Why this rope: This is an ultra durable, no frills starting spot that anyone doing CrossFit will be happy with getting started on their double under journey. The handles are made of an unbreakable, lightweight plastic that can be thrown on the ground or in gym bags with no issues.
Customers Say: "If I had to recommend a speed rope to a friend, this one would be it."
Specs:
- Handle weight: .6oz (each)
- Handle Length: 5.35"
- Handle Construction: Unbreakable Plastic
Price: $18 - website
Freestyle Beaded - Best for Double Under Crosses
Best for Double Under Crossovers: It may be beaded, but this is no kid's jump rope. The Freestyle Beaded Rope features long 8" handles that make reaching "across" for the cross easier. The beads have just the right weight for making a cross without getting tangled or tripping you up. The weight of the beads also helps you "feel" where the ropes is at when you're learning the crossing movements.
I've found the longer 8" handle is more comfortable for most beginners. Like the REP Rope the Beaded Freestyle is a great choice for beginners trying to practice and improve double unders.
Customers say: "I own several ropes, this one immediately went to my favorite. You can feel this rope, very few errors and easy to learn tricks. Nailed my first crossover."
Specs:
- Handle weight: 1oz (each)
- Handle length: 8"
- Construction: Unbreakable polymer plastic handles with grip tape (like on tennis rackets). Kink resistant PVC coated USA-made steel cable.
Price: $27 - website
How this List Was Generated
Some background on these recommendations.
- Elite Jumps ropes: With apologies to other brands like RPM Ropes and Rx Ropes that make very good jump ropes, all the recommendations here are for Elite Jumps products. Why? Because of course we're confident in our products, but also because we know our products best: We have years of feedback on these specific products during CrossFit clinics, talking to our customers and working with professional CrossFit athletes.
- Light weight handles are better: As you progress in skill you start to notice the limiting factor in completing long sets of double unders isn't your leg stamina, it's the burn you feel in your forearms and hands. That's why a light weight handle is important: the lighter the weight, the more reps you can complete before failure.
- Easy resizing: If you're just starting out with double unders, you'll constantly tweak the length of your rope (typically shortening) as your skill improves. You will also wear through cables the more you jump. It's nice to have handles that make cable replacement and size adjustments quick and easy.
- Durability: You want a rope you can throw on the ground, or in your gym bag, without risk of it breaking. The biggest difference we see between all the jump ropes on the market now is durability. Look for high quality steel ball bearings and unbreakable plastics. Beware ball bearing ropes that cost less than $20.
More from our Double Under Mastery Series:
- How to Size for Double Unders
- Jumping & Landing Technique
- Proper Hand Placement
- Mastering the Double Under Rhythm
About the AuthorMatt Hopkins is a former competitive speed jumper and jump rope coach. Matt has won numerous national championships in speed jumping, and his athletes have won several national speed and freestyle titles and have broken world and national speed records. He also taught middle and elementary school PE in Leavenworth WA for 23 years. |
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