Follow These Rules, Burn Tons of Calories

What's not to love about the jump rope? It's portable, it's cheap, and it burns tons of calories (on average, over 10 calories per minute!). But while a good jump rope will set you back just the price of a cup of coffee or two, there are a few things you should think about before you jump. Here's how to find the right rope for you.

  1. Get the right size: Don't waste your money on a jump rope that's too short or long for your body. "The biggest thing you need to look for when buying a jump rope is make sure it fits you," says Laura Wilson, director of programming for Pivotal 5. To find the right fit, Laura says to stand on the middle of a rope with both feet with each handle in your hands and pull up. The handles should hit just underneath your armpits on either side.
  2. Make it harder: Want even more bang for your buck? Look for the jump ropes that are weighted or beaded, Laura recommends. This will help build endurance and burn even more calories in the same amount of time.

Now that you've found your perfect jump rope, check out our 10-minute jump rope video workout.