Tom Rowland, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, breaks down the most cost-effective workout equipment you can own: the jump rope. In this Physical Friday episode, Tom explains exactly which of the three main types of jump ropes to buy based on your goals—from the cheapest licorice rope at a dollar fifty to wire ropes with ball bearings designed specifically for double unders. He reveals which rope is best for learning tricks, which one travels best, and why you might want to own all three. Tom also shares his favorite Instagram resources for learning jump rope tricks, including wrestlers, world champions, and a girl who built hundreds of thousands of followers just by practicing in her backyard during COVID.
What are the three types of jump ropes and which should you buy?
The three types are the licorice or jelly rope (cheapest PVC rope at about $1.50, great all-around and travel option), the beaded rope (plastic beads over nylon cord, best for learning tricks like crossovers and Mic Releases), and the wire rope with ball bearings in the handles (most expensive, designed specifically for double unders where the rope passes under your feet twice per jump).
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast. He regularly shares Physical Friday fitness episodes focused on practical, economical workout strategies. Tom keeps jump ropes in all his travel bags and his truck for workouts anywhere, combining them with burpees, push ups, and pull ups when gyms aren't available.
This episode is brought to you by Star brite. Whether you're packing a jump rope for a fishing trip or maintaining your boat between workouts, Star brite delivers the marine care products that keep you ready for any pursuit.
The Dollar-Fifty Workout Tool That Goes Everywhere
Tom gets asked constantly about how to work out on a budget, and his answer always starts with the same piece of equipment. The licorice rope—that thin PVC jump rope you've seen on playgrounds and in boxing gyms—costs about a dollar fifty at buyjumpropes.com and delivers more versatility than almost any other fitness tool. Tom keeps one in every travel bag and his truck because when he's stuck in a hotel room without access to a run or a gym, he can combine it with burpees, push ups, and pull ups for a complete workout. You can do singles, double unders, crossovers, and countless other tricks with this rope. Tom explains why this is his go-to travel rope starting at 2:22.
Why the Beaded Rope Teaches You Tricks Faster
The beaded jump rope features plastic beads over a nylon cord, and Tom considers it the best option for learning advanced techniques. The extra weight gives you a better feel for where the rope is in space, making it easier to master crossovers, side-to-side movements, double unders, and even the Mic Release—where you actually let go of one handle mid-jump and catch it again. The tactile feedback from the beads helps you develop timing and coordination faster than you would with a lighter rope. If you're serious about expanding your jump rope skills beyond basic jumps, this is the rope Tom recommends starting with. The full breakdown of why beaded ropes are ideal for learning starts at 6:06.
Hear Tom break down all three jump rope types and when to use each one
The Wire Rope Secret: Ball Bearings Make All the Difference
The most expensive jump rope category is the wire rope, and there's a specific reason serious athletes invest in them: double unders. These ropes feature handles with ball bearings inside—just like fishing reels—that allow the rope to spin independently of the handle. The more expensive the rope, the more ball bearings it contains, and the faster it spins. That spinning speed is critical when you're trying to pass the rope under your feet twice in a single jump. Tom explains that the mechanics are similar to what anglers already understand about smooth rotation reducing friction. If double unders are your goal, this is the tool that will get you there fastest. Tom's explanation of how ball bearings work in jump rope handles starts at 7:49.
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SubscribeThe Instagram Jump Rope Revolution: Who to Follow
Tom has learned most of his jump rope tricks from Instagram, and he shares his go-to resources for anyone wanting to level up their skills. Buddy Lee is a college wrestler who became a jump rope icon and even has his own line of ropes. Lauren Jumps is a creator who started practicing in her backyard during COVID and built hundreds of thousands of followers while mastering advanced techniques. There's also Tori, a multiple-time world champion, and a guy from Australia they call the Jump Rope Guy. Tom emphasizes that Instagram has changed how people learn physical skills—you can now learn to jump rope, cast a fly rod, or master almost any technique just by following the right accounts. Tom names all his favorite jump rope resources starting at 9:41.
This episode delivers Tom's complete jump rope buying guide
From $1.50 playground ropes to championship-level wire ropes with ball bearings
Key Takeaways
- The licorice or jelly rope at $1.50 is the most versatile and cheapest jump rope option for general fitness, travel, and learning basic to intermediate tricks
- Beaded ropes with plastic beads over nylon cord provide the best tactile feedback for learning advanced tricks like crossovers, Mic Releases, and side-to-side movements
- Wire ropes with ball bearings in the handles are specifically engineered for double unders, with more expensive models containing more ball bearings for faster rotation
- Tom keeps jump ropes in all his travel bags and truck because they enable complete workouts when combined with burpees, push ups, and pull ups
- Buddy Lee, Lauren Jumps, Tori (multiple-time world champion), and the Jump Rope Guy from Australia are Tom's top Instagram resources for learning techniques
- You don't have to choose just one rope type—they're inexpensive enough to own multiple types for different training goals
- Instagram has revolutionized skill learning, making it possible to master physical techniques from world-class practitioners without formal instruction
Final Thoughts from Tom
I get asked all the time about budget fitness solutions, and the jump rope is hands-down one of the best investments you can make. For the price of a few coffees, you can build a complete jump rope collection that covers every training scenario from hotel room workouts to advanced double under practice.
What I love about this equipment is how it travels. I've got ropes stashed everywhere—travel bags, truck, garage—because I know that no matter where I end up, I can get in serious cardio work with just a few square feet of space. The versatility is unmatched.
Whether you're just getting started with fitness or you're looking to add variety to your garage gym, this episode gives you the complete buying guide. I break down exactly what each rope does, when to use it, and where to learn the skills that will keep your workouts interesting. This is one of those Physical Friday episodes that pays for itself immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest jump rope for working out?
The licorice or jelly rope made of PVC is the cheapest at about $1.50 from buyjumpropes.com. It's a versatile all-around rope suitable for singles, double unders, crossovers, and travel workouts.
What type of jump rope is best for learning tricks?
The beaded jump rope with plastic beads over a nylon cord is best for learning tricks because it's heavier and provides better tactile feedback. This helps you learn crossovers, side-to-side movements, double unders, and Mic Releases more effectively.
Why do wire jump ropes have ball bearings?
Ball bearings inside the handles allow the rope to spin independently and faster, which is essential for double unders where the rope passes under your feet twice per jump. More expensive ropes have more ball bearings for even faster rotation.
Who should I follow on Instagram to learn jump rope tricks?
Tom Rowland recommends Buddy Lee (college wrestler and jump rope icon), Lauren Jumps (built hundreds of thousands of followers practicing during COVID), Tori (multiple-time world champion), and the Jump Rope Guy from Australia for learning techniques and tricks.
Can you get a complete workout with just a jump rope?
Yes, Tom Rowland regularly combines jump rope work with burpees, push ups, and pull ups for complete workouts in hotel rooms or anywhere with limited space. The jump rope provides excellent cardio and can be incorporated into circuit training.
Related Episodes
Tom's weekly episodes on practical, economical fitness strategies that support outdoor pursuits
More of Tom's recommendations for cost-effective workout equipment you can use at home
Tom shares his complete system for maintaining fitness during fishing trips and travel
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Shop GORUCKBuddy Lee - College wrestler and jump rope icon with his own line of ropes
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Tori - Multiple-time world champion jump roper
Jump Rope Guy - Australian jump rope expert and instructor
Download the Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide - essential fishing knots every angler should know.
Tom Rowland (Solo)
In this Physical Friday episode, Tom Rowland delivers a complete buyer's guide to jump ropes for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts. Tom breaks down the three main rope types: the licorice/jelly rope (cheapest and most versatile at $1.50), the beaded rope (best for learning tricks with its superior tactile feedback), and the wire rope with ball bearings (engineered specifically for double unders). He shares why he keeps jump ropes in all his travel bags and his truck, explains how ball bearings work like fishing reels to increase rotation speed, and reveals his favorite Instagram resources including Buddy Lee, Lauren Jumps, Tori, and the Jump Rope Guy from Australia. This episode proves you don't need expensive gym equipment to build serious cardiovascular fitness—just a few inexpensive ropes and the right technique resources.
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