Crossrope Review | Jump Rope for Runners? Here’s Why It Actually Works

Jumping rope has made a big comeback over the last few years, and it turns out it’s more than just a social media trend. We’ll dive into the details in our Crossrope review, but we’ll share a little secret for all our runners here: if you’re not into a full jump-rope workout, it’s a great way to warm up before a run or strength session.

Talk about flashbacks to recess on the playground. I honestly had forgotten how much of a workout jumping rope can be and how much coordination it takes.

Our team recently tested the Crossrope Classic and the Ropeless Crossrope, and both are small but mighty pieces of gear that don’t take up much space but definitely deliver a solid workout.

So what makes Crossrope different from the basic jump rope you’d grab at any store? Let’s take a closer look.

Crossrope Overview

Yes, the classic jump rope is still around, and Crossrope even makes one too. But the brand has taken things a step further by creating different rope options based on your fitness level and goals, so you can choose one that matches how you want to train.

What’s important for runners is a 2020 study found that endurance runners who swapped five minutes of their standard warmup for jump-rope training, two to four times per week over 10 weeks, saw notable gains in 3K time-trial performance, explosiveness, jumping ability, and foot-arch stiffness.

We’ll talk more about those benefits, but let’s get in to the specs of what sets it apart from the basic ropes you might be used to.

Classic vs. Ropeless Jump vs. AMP Crossrope

I’m sure you’re asking yourself how jump ropes can be that different, so let’s take a look at what makes each Crossrope so unique.

👉Classic Crossrope

This is the OG jump rope that most of us grew up with, just a little bit upgraded.

The Classic Crossrope uses interchangeable weighted ropes so you can dial up or down the intensity and get in a solid workout in under 30 minutes.

It’s available in 4 weight options: 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, 1lb, and 2lb.

Each rope is designed with a durable coating to hold up on different surfaces. You can use it just about anywhere, though a jump rope mat can help extend the rope’s life and protect your floors.

Jump on your own, or pair the ropes with AMP handles to connect to the Crossrope app for data tracking and guided workouts.

If you’re not sure what size to get, check out the sizing guide on their website.

Jumping indoors? The recommended space is at least 10 ft front-to-back, 7 ft side-to-side, and a ceiling height roughly equal to your rope length.

👉Ropeless Crossrope

I was surprised to feel much less self-conscious using the ropeless Crossrope than I expected!

It’s exactly what it sounds like: a fully ropeless jump rope that lets you get the workout without worrying about ceiling height, space, or making a ton of noise.

The ropeless attachments come in 3weight options: 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, and 1lb.

You can still get that resistance and rhythm as you would with a normal jump rope, and they easily swap onto the regular or AMP Crossrope handles, depending on your setup.

I didn’t think I’d get much of a workout from the Ropeless Crossrope, but man, a few minutes in and I could really feel it.

This is a great option if you have a smaller space or, like me, tend to trip on the classic rope.

Coach Amanda: I actually love jump rope, but working out in the basement it’s not really be an option. So I’m stoked to have this as part of my training toolkit now.

👉AMP Crossrope

AMP just means you have the special handle attachments with integrated technology that provide real-time jumping feedback in the Crossrope app.

You can track things like:

• number of jumps
• current JPM (jumps per minute)
• max JPM
• average JPM
• maximum jump streak without tripping
• jumps in each interval

One thing to note: you won’t have access to these metrics unless you sign up for the Crossrope app. We’ll go into more detail later on the different membership options.

The AMP handles can be used with any Crossrope ropes under 3lbs.

Bonus points because per the Crossrope website, the AMP handles will hold a battery charge up for 6 months!

Not sure which jump rope makes the most sense for you? Take the quick 2-minute quiz on their website, which walks you through a few questions and matches you with the rope that best fits your goals for your workouts.

You can purchase any of the ropes above individually if you know exactly what you want, or opt for a bundle that includes multiple rope weights and handles so you can switch things up depending on your workout and goals.

Crossrope App

Once you download the app, it’s pretty easy to navigate.

If you’re new to jumping rope, there are beginner-friendly classes that walk you through the basics and help you dial in your form (yes, form matters here, too).

You’ll also find a huge library of content, more than 3,000 workouts, and around 50 programs focused on things like endurance, core strength, and full-body conditioning.

If you love a little extra motivation, the app also has a built-in community with leaderboards, challenges, and monthly goals to keep things fun.

It feels similar to platforms like Peloton or iFit, where you can follow along with workouts or just jump on your own while still feeling connected to other users.

If you’re using the AMP handles, you can even connect your Crossrope data to Strava is you also track your workouts there.

And to take it one step further, you can connect your heart rate monitor if you’re using Polar, Garmin, and Wahoo.

Crossrope App Membership

When you first get the Crossrope, you’ll have access to the first 30 days free to try all the workouts and app features.

If you’re ready to commit to using the app with your Crossrope, you can choose between two membership options.

Lite for $4.99/month includes basic tracking when you use the AMP handles with the Bluetooth connection but no access to workouts or programs.

The standard plan for $8.25/month includes tracking, 3k+ workouts, 50+ fitness programs, and an AI coach.

But if you choose the weighted jump rope or the ropeless version without the AMP handles, you don’t need the app at all. You can simply grab the rope and get in a quick workout whenever and wherever it fits into your day.

Benefits of a Weighted Jump Rope

Jumping rope is one of those underrated workouts that checks a lot of boxes: coordination, balance, endurance, and core strength. It’s basically a runner’s jackpot.

Yes, it builds endurance, but it also functions as a plyometric workout, which means you’re developing tendon stiffness through Achilles and ankles, working on cadence, and lower limb power. All of which play into healthy and fast running.

What I love about Crossrope is the variety it offers; single-leg, double-leg, weighted, unweighted, ropeless, or intervals. Over time, that translates to real strength gains through the calves, Achilles tendons and foot arches, which are so often neglected in our strength training.

Add a little weight to the rope, and now you’ve got some built-in resistance training, which means your body has to work a bit harder with every rotation.

We love that this isn’t adding a lot of time to the week, but instead truly getting a lot out of a short duration. This could swap in for existing plyo, be added as cardio cross training or as noted thrown into some warm ups.

As always, start slow adding a new stimulus, like one day per week of easy jumps. Over time keep progressing by using things like the app to help you know how to take it up!

What to read next?

• Can Cross-Training Make You Faster?
• 13 Beginner Plyometric Exercises for Runners
• 4 Hour Marathon Training Plan and Training Tips

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