What I love about jump-rope workouts is that they are not only a great way to stay in shape, but they are also incredibly convenient. All you need are your workout shoes and a jump rope. During the pandemic, when gyms and fitness studios were closed, I took up jumping rope as an easy way to exercise and keep my anxiety in check. And while it was easy for me to get into jumping rope, I learned that finding the ideal jump-rope length can be a bit tricky. So to figure out exactly how long a jump rope should be, POPSUGAR spoke with an expert.
Tami Smith, an ACE-certified personal trainer and owner of Fit Healthy Momma, said three is the magic number when it comes to finding the perfect jump-rope length. “As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to get a jump rope that’s about three feet taller than you to ensure that it’s not too long or too short, which can lead to injury or improper jumping form,” Smith said.
To calculate the length of your rope, just add three, and from there you can round up or down to find the ideal length. For example, if you’re 5’3″, you would want a rope that’s eight feet long, but if you’re 5’9″, you might want to round up for a rope that’s nine feet long. But don’t worry, if you don’t feel like doing math, there’s another way to figure out the perfect jump-rope length for you. Smith explained that there is a very simple way to check to see if you are using the right size jump rope. “A great way to test if the length of your jump rope is appropriate is to stand on the middle of it and pull the handles taut,” Smith said. “You want the ends of your jump rope to hit around your armpits.”
If you are nervous about finding that perfect jump-rope length, Smith also recommended purchasing an adjustable jump rope. With an adjustable jump rope, you’ll have the ability to modify the length to make sure it’s the ideal length for you, she said.