Jump rope equipment for beginners: what you need, and what you don’t

One of the questions I get regularly asked by people just starting out on their jump rope journey is, “What equipment do I need to start jump rope?”.

Well, the answer is often, “Not much!”.

That’s one of the things I love about the sport – you really don’t need a massive jump rope starter kit to begin your journey and make great progress.

But there are a few essential bits of jump rope equipment that I do recommend for beginners. So here’s my kit guide to help you feel ready and confident from day one.

The right jump rope

“What’s the best jump rope for beginners?” is the second-most frequently asked question!

And my answer is that the best jump rope for beginners is always a beaded option.

The beaded vs wire jump rope topic is a hot one in this sport, but beginners should never use the latter. Wire ropes cut through the air super fast, so they’re really difficult to control; whereas beaded ropes are slower, easier to control, and perfect for learning proper technique. They’re the best jump rope for beginners, hands down.

In terms of rope brands, I recommend Dope Rope: they’re reasonably priced, and brilliant quality. In fact, I use them myself (you can even get a discount on my fave Dope Ropes!).

Do you need a mat for jump rope?

Jump rope mats aren’t essential, but I recommend getting one if you can.

Using a proper jump rope mat will prolong the life of your brand-new rope, lessen the impact of jumping, and even out any lumps and bumps on your surface (they’re especially handy if you have a patio with cracks in it!).

My fave mat is the one from Dope Ropes – it comes in two sizes and is SUPER tough.

A word of warning, though – yoga mats aren’t as heavy, durable, or big as jump rope mats. So if you use one, you’ll probably have to replace it quickly!

The best shoes for jump rope workouts

You don’t need fancy, expensive trainers: but you do need some sturdy, lace-up ones.

Past that point, which kind you use really comes down to personal preference.

Heavily cushioned trainers soften the impact of landing. But, unlike running, which is a lateral movement where you’re heading forward, jump rope is about going up and down. A cushioned running shoe can make that vertical reaction off the ground harder.

I personally find that flatter shoes help me move better if I'm doing a lot of footwork and moving from side to side in a routine.

So it really does come down to whether you’d rather have a softer, cushioned shoe to lessen impact or a lower-profile, flatter shoe to allow you to move a bit quicker.

Choose comfortable clothing for your jump rope sessions

I love coordinating my workout outfits – it’s part of my routine and helps me get in the mindset for a session (check out my YouTube channel for a wardrobe tour of my favourite summer and winter workout kit!).

But if you’re wondering what to wear for jump rope, it honestly comes down to comfort and freedom of movement.

It doesn’t matter if you wear shorts, leggings, tracksuit bottoms, a vest top, a T-shirt, or a hoodie. You don’t have to coordinate everything like I do – as long as you can move how you want to, feel happy wearing it, and it’s safe to jump in, then that’s good enough.

Download my free jump rope beginner's guide

Download my free beginner guide for a full checklist of essential jump rope equipment and tips on what to wear for jump rope sessions. It's the perfect way to kick off your jump rope journey with confidence.