Jump rope is a foundational exercise that combines plyometrics with cardio training. No boxing movie montage is complete without an intense jump rope seen, and neither is your fitness toolbox.
The Crossrope is an innovative fitness tool that takes the classic jump rope and addresses the collective concerns of athletes over the years. The result is a powerful piece of equipment that you can customize to suit your training needs.
Here’s everything you need to know in our in-depth Crossrope review.
What is a Crossrope?
In simplest terms, the Crossrope is a weighted jump rope. However, it’s the innovative design that sets the Crossrope apart from other weighted jump ropes.
Using a weighted jump rope works both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems and adds resistance for an intense full-body workout. The Crossrope does the same but offers durable, ergonomic handles, interchangeable ropes, and a companion app to guide you through goal-specific workouts.
There are two main Crossrope jump rope sets to choose from: Get Lean and Get Strong. Each pack contains two weighted rope attachments, with the Get Lean options slightly lighter than the Get Strong option. This interchangeability lets you quickly shift your workout from a lightweight, fast-paced cardio extravaganza to a heavier, power-inducing workout that will leave your entire body burning.
There’s also a new Heavy LE set that just hit the market with three rope weights included.
The handles detach from each rope with the click of a button and snap into place, making it easy to transition back and forth as needed.
Read Also: Best CrossFit Cardio workouts to improve your endurance
Benefits of Weighted Jump Ropes
As mentioned before, the primary benefit of a weighted jump rope is the added resistance to a functional cardiovascular workout. As such, you can use a weighted jump rope to burn calories, build endurance, and build strength.
Using a weighted jump rope will give you a full-body workout. You’ll target many of the smaller, secondary muscles in your arms to build muscle strength and definition. The plyometric jumping movement will offer an intense workout for your legs. Finally, your core stabilizer muscles will also be engaged throughout the workout.
In essence, you can get an intense, full-body workout in less time with a weighted jump rope.
Training with a weighted rope is also a fantastic way to cross-train, with the benefits carrying over into several other sports and training modalities. Jumping rope, in general, can help improve balance, stability, agility, and coordination.
Related: Best CrossFit Jump Ropes that will take your training to the next level
Crossrope Review
You’ve looked at the benefits, and you’re ready to choose a weighted jump rope to take your fitness to the next level. Here’s everything you need to know about the Crossrope jump rope to determine if it’s the right option for you.
An In-depth Crossrope Review
Ultimate Weighted Jump Rope
- Interchangeable handles
- Various weighted ropes available
- Companion app with robust training library
Handle options
The handles are a strong selling feature for the Crossrope. The older iterations of the Crossrope handles were close to being perfect but fell short in terms of ergonomics and comfort. In 2020, Crossrope released updated handle options that are designed to be more ergonomically correct and comfortable for long-term use. Realistically, your hands should be the last thing to give out during your workout.
Crossrope now offers two handle options— one for each weight set. The Get Lean comes with the “slim” handle option, while the Get Strong comes with “power” handles. The handles are interchangeable with all the rope options but are naturally better suited for their original pairings.
The Heavy LE set also comes with different handles that offer a bit more padding. However, these handles are similar in shape and design to the previous iterations, which many people complained about, and they seem to lack the same anatomical grip.
One of the negatives branding aspects of the Crossrope brand is that the Get Lean is really pushing the “get toned, not bulky” agenda to women, while Get Strong and Heavy LE are clearly designed to look more masculine. For female athletes who want to use the heavier ropes, the slimmer handles are a nice alternative and offer a better grip for smaller hands.
Indoor vs. Outside
The Crossrope weighted jump rope is marketed as being suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Yet, while the bearings and attachments are durable and well-constructed, the rope itself doesn’t seem nearly as rigid.
This weighted jump rope will wear out relatively quickly if you use it outside often. Consider it this way: added weight means added friction when it hits the ground. If you’re jumping on a concrete slab in your garage or on the pavement outside, expect to see some severe degradation within a few months.
Realistically, jumping on the concrete or pavement isn’t great for your joints anyway. Crossrope does offer a jump rope mat that lays flat without catching while providing a bit of cushioning between your rope and the ground. It’s worth purchasing if you’re an avid outdoor trainer.
Read Also: Best HIIT Cardio training you can do at home
Weights available
Crossrope currently offers four primary rope weights, though there are a few other options from previous iterations hidden in the depths of their website.
The seven weights include:
- 1/4 lb
- 1/2 lb
- 3/4 lb
- 1 lb
- 1 1/2 lb
- 2 lb
- 3 lb
The 1/4 lb and 1/2 lb options are included in the Get Lean set, and the 1 lb and 2 lb options are included in the Get Strong set. Heavy LE offers the 3/4 lb, 1 1/2 lb, and 3 lb options. You can also purchase ropes and handles separately if you’re so inclined.
Weight
If you’ve never used a weighted jump rope before, and you’re used to throwing barbells around, your ego might take over when choosing a weight. As someone who has competed in powerlifting for years and had to drop the 2lb weights to finish a Barre workout that her friend made her do (a story for another day), let me tell you that those light weights hit differently in these movements.
When you use a weighted jump rope, you’re engaging all those little muscles that often get overlooked. Choose a good starting weight based on your frame and activity level.
Overall style
The overall style and design of the Crossropes are great. The clip system and easy-to-change rope feature make them a great choice for avid jumpers.
Another really great feature of the Crossrope is the companion app. The Crossrope app offers a huge library of exercises to keep your training fresh. These workouts are categorized for different goals, like strength, power, and endurance. While there is a free version of the app, it’s pretty basic. The premium version with the full library is worth the money for full-time jumpers, but it’s worth testing out the 30-day free trial before committing.
There have been quite a few complaints about the premium price point giving consumers a shoddily made product. The most recent updates to the Crossrope line seem to have put many of those issues to rest.
Bolt System
Before wrapping up, let’s touch on the Crossrope Bolt set. The Bolt System is Crossrope’s version of a speed rope set, meant to be lighter and more adjustable with a different type of handle. In other words: a regular gym jump rope with fancy marketing.
The bolt handles aren’t interchangeable with the majority of the ropes offered by Crossrope, and their messaging makes it challenging to determine which ones fit and which don’t. As such, this can lead to a lot of frustration from the consumer standpoint. The Bolt System requires adjusting with a hex key to alter the length of the rope. In addition to being marketed as a speed rope, the Bolt System is also positioned as the best rope for doing double unders.
While you can still get a Bolt system speed rope (the set comes with a 1 oz and 2 oz option), there are better options at a more reasonable price point.
Read Also: Best Battle Ropes for your home gym
Crossrope FAQs
Still have questions after reading the full Crossrope review? Here are a few commonly asked questions, answered.
Which size is right for me?
Crossrope offers four sizes, ranging from small to extra large. Fortunately, they make it easy to determine which size is right based on your height. It’s important to remember that most of the Crossrope jump rope options are not adjustable. If you’re right at the top of the height range for one size, jump to the next to account for your shoes.
Is there a warranty?
Crossrope offers a decent warranty on their handles, provided you purchase directly from them via their website or Amazon store. Ropes, on the other hand, are not covered.
Is there a return policy?
Crossrope offers a 60-day return or exchange policy. This is a great option if you find the ropes burn out too quickly on hard surfaces or if you choose the wrong height.
Is a Crossrope Worth it?
The Crossrope weighted jump rope is worth buying if you’ll be doing a lot of jump rope exercises. If this is your preferred training style, or you plan on cross-training with a jump rope every day, invest in a Crossrope.
However, if you plan on casually jumping as a warm-up, there are plenty of more affordable, decent quality options.
