How to Pick a Rope for Double Unders

Jul 15, 2021Dan Cox

Before you can complete a double under, you need to own a jump rope. But which jump rope should you use? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Not only have we created the jump rope kit specifically for double under progression and mastery, but we’ve also spent time answering the most common questions you might have about the different options available for you. Not surprisingly, questions are centered around handles and cords or cables. So, let’s dive right in.

Handles

There are three key distinctions when considering jump rope handles.

The angle or degree at which the cord attaches to the handle, either 90° (perpendicular to the handle) or 180° (parallel to the handle). Believe it or not, the founder of Elite Jumps, Matt Hopkins, invented the 90° handle to improve the speed jump ropes he saw in the marketplace! You can hear the story here. For double unders, 90º (perpendicular) is better because it reduces the torque added to the cable, thus reducing the resistance to turning the rope.
Ball bearings or no bearings: Typically, plastic handles do not include ball bearings. Metal bearings will provide a much higher spin rate and lower resistance for turning the rope. The lower the resistance, the easier it is to complete two rotations for every jump.
Versatility: it is important to select a versatile handle that provides flexibility to use different styles and thicknesses of cable and cord. We talk about this at the end, but progression is key to double under success, and having the option of sizing down your cable and cord with a single handle provides you with the most opportunity for success.

Handle Recommendations – Surge 3.0 or Bullet COMP

Cables and Cords

There are two common materials used for jump rope cables or cords: PVC (licorice) and bare wire with a nylon coating. Most double under jump ropes will utilize a wire cable with a coating. However, we recommend beginning with a 4mm PVC cord until you’ve mastered your jump technique and rope control.

The thicker cord will slow you down and provide feedback so that you can feel where the rope is during your jumps. This helps you build a strong foundation. If you are a more advanced jumper, we suggest a 3mm or less nylon coated wire cable. This will reduce the air resistance and make it much easier to turn the rope through the air.

Our recommendations – Mach Series: 3mm Speed Cable or Motion Series: 4mm PVC Cord

Double Unders are a Progression

Because you will improve your double unders once you start practicing, we recommend using a jump rope handle that provides versatility for the cords and cables that can be used with it. For this reason, we’ve designed a double under progression bundle that includes our Do Hard Things Rep Rope and three differently sized cables. Purchasing a variety of cable and cord types (and a handle that can accept them) will save you money and frustration, allowing you the ability to experiment with the right cable size for your ability level.

For more tips and tricks to perfect your double unders, check out our other articles including:

More from our Double Under Mastery Series: