If you’re looking for a way to take your jump rope workout to the next level, you need a smart rope. Smart jump ropes have sensors that track your performance and give you various cardio-based metrics to help you stay motivated and track your progress.
In this buyer’s guide, we look at the best smart jump ropes on the market – and what they can do for your fitness regime. We discuss what smart jump ropes are, then list our top three picks, all at different price points, along with their benefits and drawbacks.
So, if you’re ready to get started jump roping with a smart jump rope, let’s get to it!
What is a Smart Jump Rope?
A smart jump rope is a type of exercise equipment equipped with sensors that track your performance and give you various cardio-based metrics to help you stay motivated and track your progress.
Smart jump ropes typically connect to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, where you can view your stats and set goals.
Some smart jump ropes also have additional features like LED lights that indicate your workout intensity or a built-in speaker that plays music to keep you motivated.
As you may imagine, smart jump ropes are different from everyday, regular jump ropes – but they work the same set of muscles. They’re perfect for athletes trying to get the very most out of their workout routine and offer benefits to several different muscle groups (as well as overall cardio) that far surpass the potential of traditional skipping.
Now, let’s take a look at the best smart ropes!
What Are the Best Smart Jump Ropes?
Crossrope Get Lean Set
The Crossrope Get Lean Set is our top pick for the best smart jump rope because it comes with two different weighted ropes (1/2 lb and 1 lb) that you can use to customize your workouts, choosing from a light or heavy rope. The app also provides a variety of workout programs to help you get started.
The benefit of this product is that it comes with two different weight ropes for a custom workout for the price of one. Each rope is made from durable materials and built to last through tough workouts and won’t fray or wear down with use. The ropes are also available in different weights, so no matter what size you are (or the intensity of workout you’re looking to achieve) there is a rope for you.
The only notable drawback of this particular smart jump rope is that it is somewhat pricey compared to other models – it is an investment – and the fact that the app isn’t always reliable. As with any technology, we’ve noted minor issues that can arise with the app in terms of loading.
Tangram Smart Rope
The Tangram Smart Rope is our budget pick for the best smart jump rope. It doesn’t have as many features as some of the other smart jump ropes on this list, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option to help you get fit without breaking the bank.
This product boasts several benefits, including that it costs less than $100.00 and uses a very durable material. It’s also available in sizes small, medium, and large, so it’s perfect for athletes of all sizes! The LED lights make it a unique and fun option, too.
The few drawbacks of this option are that it doesn’t have as many features as other smart jump ropes on the market (and on this list). And, while it claims to have app connectivity ability of a variety of fitness apps, users have noted some issues. That is to be expected with technology, but it can be a bummer if you’re hoping to utilize the app connectivity as a core component of this fitness product.
Smart Jump Rope Rookie
Also by Tangram, the Rookie is another great option if you’re looking for a smart jumping rope that doesn’t break the bank. It has an adjustable length and a built-in calorie counter and can track your jumps, intervals, time, and calories burned. You can also use the app to set goals and track your progress as it’s compatible with iOS, Android, and Apple Watch.
A great benefit to the Smart Jump Rope Rookie is it’s budget-friendly but not lacking in quality. In our opinion, this is a good product for somebody who is just starting and looking to add some quality equipment to their workout routine without spending hundreds of dollars.
The built-in counter is great for anyone looking to track their calories or jumps, and the app allows you to track goals and progress.
The only con to this option is that there are no weighted options; as we noted, this is more of a beginner rope or an option for someone looking for a cardio workout more than any other part of their upper body.
Why Use a Smart Jump Rope?
There are many reasons why you might want to use a smart jump rope. Smart jump ropes can help you:
Stay motivated
Smart jump ropes can help you stay motivated by tracking your progress and giving you feedback on your performance. Seeing your progress over time can be a great motivator to keep you going. It can also keep you on track better than other forms of cardio – like a traditional jump rope workout or a run – as your progress will be visible, and you’ll be conscious of what you need to improve on.
Set goals
Smart jump ropes can help you set goals by giving feedback on your performance. You can use this information to set a realistic fitness goal and track your progress over time. If you notice you’re falling behind, you can alter your goals accordingly (and vice versa). A smart jump rope almost serves as a workout tracking tool!
Achieve better results
Smart jump ropes can help you get better results by giving feedback on your form and technique. This feedback can help you identify areas that need improvement, so you can make the necessary changes to get better results. As noted, you’ll be constantly aware of what you’re doing and what you need to change.
Get more out of your workout
Simply put, if you’re looking to condense a powerful, multi-purpose workout into one, a smart jump rope may be a great option for you. You’ll get cardiovascular benefits, along with the benefit of working with other muscle groups simultaneously. This is especially true if you purchase a weighted smart rope.
Smart Jump Rope FAQs
What are the benefits of using a smart jump rope?
There are several benefits to using a smart jump rope, including that you’ll be getting better results from this workout than you would from using a regular jump rope, making it a worthwhile investment for fitness enthusiasts and those looking to get into working out.
Smart jump ropes can help you get better results by giving feedback on your form and technique. This feedback can help you identify areas that need improvement to make the necessary changes to get better results.
Smart jump ropes are also great for tracking your progress.
Most smart jump ropes come with an app that allows you to track your progress, so you won’t be left guessing or assuming you’re doing enough, which is crucial if you’re on limited time to hit goals or have limited time to work out in general. This information can help you set goals and stay motivated when you’re busy or just in general. You’ll have great insight into your progress and won’t have to think too much about tracking it.
Getting a great workout is another obvious benefit of using a smart jump rope. Jumping rope is a great cardio workout, and smart jump ropes can make it even more effective by adding features like interval training.
What are the drawbacks of using a smart jump rope?
There are only a few potential drawbacks to using a smart jump rope.
First, the cost may be a drawback to some. Smart jump ropes tend to be more expensive than traditional jump ropes, and understandably so. They’re equipped with much more technology and durable (often weighted) rope material designed for optimal performance. However, you’re looking at spending anywhere from the price of a dinner date to a few hundred dollars on a smart jump rope. If you’re strapped for cash or following a strict budget, this may be more of an investment to save up for, making it less accessible.
Additionally, as we highlighted, many smart jump ropes are known to have connectivity issues. It’s almost fair to say with any app and technology, connectivity issues are expected. They could be reflective of the product itself, your own device, or the environment you’re working out in.
Often, simple troubleshooting can resolve connectivity issues; however, some users note that app connectivity and tracker data are compromised with smart devices. With that said, several users report no issues – we are included in that group – so anticipate (as with all technology) some minor hiccups. If you aren’t tech-savvy or not one to use technology to track your progress, anticipate a bit of frustration. If you’re driven to learn the technology, a smart jump rope may still be a great option.
If you’re looking to jump right into a workout you’re familiar with and avoid any technical issues, you may want to consider a weighted jump rope, or another cardio workout instead. Click here to learn more on our website.
Lastly, limited features can be off-putting to some users who purchase smart jump ropes. While they can track a lot of data, for the price, they aren’t able to track nearly as much as other smart, fitness devices.
Who should (and should not) use a smart jump rope?
While many athletes will benefit from using a jump rope, whether traditional, weighted, or smart jump rope, some people should refrain from using smart jump ropes and jump ropes altogether.
Pregnant athletes, for example, should not use a speed jump rope or a regular jump rope as the bouncing and jarring movements can be harmful to both the mother and the child.
Athlete’s with knee, back, heart, and blood pressure issues should also avoid jump ropes as the impacts can aggravate these conditions. Athletes with back and neck injuries, as well as reproductive issues (such as ovarian cysts) may experience discomfort or setbacks using a jump rope due to the repetitive bouncing involved and should opt for a different kind of cardio or full-body workout.
Smart jump ropes, in particular, may not be ideal for people with coordination issues as the additional technology may make it difficult to keep up with the rope.
However, smart jump ropes can be quite beneficial for athletes looking to get more out of their workout by tracking their progress and seeing real-time results.
This may include you if you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular health, lose weight, and engage in a full-body workout. Often track and field, Muay Thai, Crossfit, and contact sports athletes find the benefits of using a skipping rope with a smart jump rope to be tremendous.
In general, athletes young and old can consider using smart jump ropes; just keep in mind your budget, technology capabilities, and whether or not you require a weighted option before making your purchase choice!
What should I be wary of when shopping for a smart jump rope?
While there are many great options on the market, the 3 we’ve listed here are some of the best. There are more that would have been honorable mentions, but it’s also important to note that there are many dupes or low-quality products on the market.
Because smart jump ropes are meant to connect to apps via Bluetooth, track progress, etc., we recommend being wary around suspiciously low-priced items.
This isn’t to say you cannot score a quality product at a low price, but rather, if a jump rope is listed for no more than a few dollars, that should raise your eyebrows! Bluetooth-compatible technology is seldom cheap, and for good reason. Not only do you want a reputable product, but you want a safe one.
We always recommend reading reviews and considering information about the company that designed the product. In terms of price point, smart jump ropes (like our picks we mentioned) are available for anywhere between $40.00 and $200.00. You should give anything less (or more) thorough consideration.
What’s The Verdict On Smart Jump Ropes?
Smart jump ropes are a great investment for many different athletes and have numerous benefits when used properly and regularly.
A smart jump rope has sensors that track your performance and give you various cardio-based metrics to help you stay motivated and track your progress.
Smart jump ropes connect to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, where you can view your stats and set goals. Some smart jump ropes also have additional features like LED lights that indicate your workout intensity, making them a unique and useful product to invest in for your gym routine!
Smart jump ropes are available at a few different price points and are generally accessible for those looking to spend a moderate amount of money, but not as much for athletes on a limited budget; they cost significantly more than a traditional skipping rope.
Overall, smart jump ropes are recommended for many types of athletes. If you’re unsure which option best suits you and your needs, we recommend starting with a mid-range price point rope, the Tangram Smart Rope.
The Tangram is a good choice as it’s budget-friendly and features LED lights, as well as the option to select a small, medium, or large size, making it a flexible choice no matter your size. This weighted rope also provides cardio and full-body conditioning workouts that you can track using the app.
If you’re looking to add to your workout routine – no matter what kind of athlete you are – adding a smart jump rope to your equipment is a good choice that will help you track progress, set a fitness goal, and achieve results fast.
In general, unless they have specific injuries, health concerns, or cannot utilize modern technology, most athletes benefit from using a smart jump rope.
