This seems to be the going rate. Try to get it with free shipping.
Durability: Guaranteed Lifetime Warranty
One of my main problems with jump ropes is that because I use it outside, they usually break where they touch the ground. That can get expensive. I’ll probably be testing this lifetime warranty in a few months.
Size Comparison:
Left to right: 3 lbs Heavy Jump Rope, 1.25 lb Lifeline Jump Rope, Standard Speed Rope
Great Feature: Swivel
The ball bearing swivel is a solid addition. They call this rope an Extra Heavy Speed Rope. Most heavy ropes don’t have a good swivel, so there is additional drag when you are jumping. The ball bearing helps increase the rotation speed and consequently, your cardiovascular workout. I also think it’s better for your wrists.
Overall
I think this is an ideal weighted jump rope. Because it is lighter than the 3 lbs rope, it’s better for longer workouts. It’s also smaller, which makes it easier to pack in your backpack for trips.
This is my bread and butter workout. This is what I suggest you do:
Build up to jump roping for 20 minutes straight
Once you’ve accomplished 20 minutes, finish the workout with 30 second sprints. Take short breaks as needed.
Then, once you can do the 20 minutes and several 30 second sprints at the end — start to do sprints during the 20 minute workout, while still completing the 20 minutes without resting.
In terms of heavy jump ropes, you’ll want to pick one on the lighter end for this workout. If you don’t have a Thai heavy jump rope, there are 2 different ropes I’ve tried:
I’ve tried and broken (over time) the standard Thai jump rope and the its red rope cousin. Regardless, the red rope has a metal bearing which helps rotation. The clear version is just wood. Although I liked the red version better, I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra 14 bucks. If I were spending 20 dollars, I’d skip both and get the lifeline jump rope (see my lifeline review).
I started workout out with a heavy jump rope 4 years ago in Thailand and have been doing it ever since. Thai boxers started training with weighted jump ropes as a way to prepare for competitions, which can be physically grueling. Boxers have to prepare for 5 separate, 3 minute rounds, with 2 minute breaks.
The heavy rope is their perfect workout, which meets their aerobic and muscle building needs. The heavy rope builds:
Cardiovascular endurance
Leg muscles, with an emphasis on the calves, so you’re able to shuffle for long periods
Upper body strength, which helps with elbowing and punching.
Here’s my first youtube video, explaining the jumping style.
If you think that a 3 pound weighted jump rope is heavy, try 15 pounds. The company does not even sell the rope to the public.
I found a 5 pound rope on Amazon. That they do sell. But, you have to fork out $59.95 for it. Enough said. I’m going to stick with my 3 lb rope for now
I just recieved my 3 lbs Champion Barbell jump rope in the mail and I’m psyched. This was an expensive rope. It was worth getting, but the $50 it cost really makes me think twice.
It’s hard to describe how large the 3 lbs heavy jump rope really is. So, I put it next to a speed rope. You can see it’s significantly larger.
I also put the jump rope next to an Apple mouse and my wallet for some perspective on its size.
They built in a useful feature. The rope is heavy, so it keeps twisting itself up while you jump. So, they built in a swivel, to decrease the twisting. Unfortunately, the swivel is plastic and I’m not convinced yet that it helps.
Anyway, I’ve already tested it and it’s heavy, really heavy. I finished my workout feeling like my forearms were more ripped than they’ve ever been. Review and video upcoming.
With all the time it takes to workout at a gym, how much time are you actually working out?
Drive to gym: 15 minutes
Change to gym clothes: 5 minutes
Workout time: 45 minutes (approx.)
Showering: 7 minutes
Changing to street cloths: 5 minutes
Drive home: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 1 hour 32 minutes
Extras:
Water breaks, chatting with friends (“How much you lifting?”), checking yourself out in the mirror, watching TV, and a million other distractions at the gym.
Find out how much time it takes you to do a gym workout:
Drive to gym: ___ minutes
Change to gym clothes: ___ minutes
Workout time: ___ minutes (approx.)
Chatting with friends: ____ minutes
Showering: ___ minutes
Changing to street cloths: ___ minutes
Drive home:___minutes
Miscellaneous (watching TV, etc): ___ minutes
TOTAL: ___ hour ___ minutes
If working out takes you at least 1 hour 30 minutes to complete, you’re less likely to fit it in your schedule. For 1 hour 30 minutes you should be able to get at least 2 workouts.
According to New York Times Health, jumping may be the best method of improving and retaining bone density.
What they say:
Weightlifting only marginally improves bone strength.
Competitive bikers can bone density
The benefits of running to bone density is inconclusive.
What do doctors recommend?
Jumping up and down is great for bone density. A study in Japan showed that mice that jump up and down at least 40 times/week had had significantly increase bone density after 24 weeks.
The case for jump roping?
This article convinces me that jumping rope (speed or weighted) has unique benefits for bone density that neither swimming, running, nor biking possess.
