What I love about skipping workouts [1] 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 [2] and a skipping rope. During the pandemic, when gyms and fitness studios were closed, I took up skipping [3] as an easy way to exercise and keep my anxiety in check [4]. And while it was easy for me to get into skipping, I learned that finding the ideal skipping-rope length can be a bit tricky. So to figure out exactly how long a skipping rope should be, POPSUGAR spoke with an expert.
Tami Smith, an ACE-certified personal trainer and owner of Fit Healthy Momma [6], said three is the magic number when it comes to finding the perfect skipping-rope length. "As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to get a skipping 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 skipping 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 maths, there's another way to figure out the perfect skipping-rope length for you. Smith explained that there is a very simple way to check to see if you are using the right size skipping rope. "A great way to test if the length of your skipping rope is appropriate is to stand on the middle of it and pull the handles taut," Smith said. "You want the ends of your skipping rope to hit around your armpits."
If you are nervous about finding that perfect skipping-rope length, Smith also recommended purchasing an adjustable skipping rope. With an adjustable skipping rope, you'll have the ability to modify the length to make sure it's the ideal length for you, she said.