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It’s funny how many of us used to be masters of skipping rope in grade school, and then promptly lost that mastery as we moved on to other hobbies, sports, and interests. Now, the best jump rope can be a challenging piece of conditioning equipment, notably for the popular CrossFit movement: the double under.
To perfect double unders, the type of jump rope you use is important. Ideally, you want a lightweight speed jump rope with a quick rotation…something like the WOD Nation Double Under Jump Rope. It’s one of our favorites to recommend for taking your conditioning to the next level—without spending much money at all.
In this WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope review, we’ll take a look at this jump rope and figure out who this speed rope is best suited for, as well as if it’s really worth the hype that the GGR team gives it (myself included).
We Don’t Skip Out on Testing Fitness Equipment
Rather, our expert team of certified personal trainers, coaches, and lifelong athletes jumps at the opportunity for hands-on testing. As stated in our fitness equipment testing methodology, the overwhelming majority of products we talk about and recommend have been tested through multiple workouts—or for years in some cases, like the WOD Nation speed rope.
GGR senior director of content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, has owned and used the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope for over 7 years. Along with CrossFit workouts, she’s used the adjustable jump rope for cardio workouts and warm-ups. She’s given a rating from 1 to 5 based on her experience with the speed rope in multiple aspects, such as:
- Sizing and adjustments
- Handles
- Rope width and weight
- Rope rotation
- Workout experience
- Outdoor use
- Overall value
WOD Nation Speed Rope
WOD Nation Double Under Speed Jump Rope
Product Highlights
- Very affordable and comes with extra cable
- Has a great spin for speed jumping
- Adjustable with wire cutters
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Very affordable
- Comes with an extra cable
- Adjustable
- Comes with a carrying case
- Spins fast
Cons
- Plastic handles could break if stepped on
- Need a wirecutter to adjust
Bottom Line
This is one of the best value speed ropes on the market. It moves well, lasts a long time, and you get an extra cable with your purchase.
A Quick Look at the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope
Although a distributor of apparel, resistance bands, and support gear, WOD Nation is most well-known for jump ropes, selling a variety of different styles and types of jump ropes. The Attack Speed Jump Rope has foam handles and offers two different cable thicknesses for different types of jump rope workouts; the Atlas Weighted Jump Rope has removable handle and cable weights; and they even have a cordless jump rope to help users learn the rhythm of double unders.
The Double Under Speed Rope is WOD Nation’s dedicated speed jump rope, made with a lightweight cable and swivel bearing system on the handles. With four ball bearings used for each rope, the speed rope is made for just that—speed. The tapered plastic handles are simple, but keep the jump rope light and fast while in use. The rope also comes in eight different colors.
Before You Buy
- The WOD Nation speed rope is adjustable from its starting length of 10 feet. However, “adjusting” the rope means you’ll need wire cutters to snip off the excess length once you’ve adjusted the handles.
- This rope isn’t recommended for abrasive surfaces like concrete or asphalt, as it’ll wear down the plastic coating, exposing the steel cable underneath. Fortunately, if that happens to you, WOD Nation includes a second cable with your purchase. Nice.
- Kate does mention that the rope can kink easily if it isn’t stored well. Make sure you take care of your rope and wrap or hang it neatly while not in use.
Is the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope Worth It?
The WOD Nation speed rope is a best seller on Amazon. The price tag is typically $17.99 with free shipping, although you can often find the top-selling rope on sale. While there are cheaper jump ropes, like licorice or beaded ropes, the WOD Nation rope is made for fast jumping, whereas cheaper ropes are simply made for more casual users.
Still, compared to other options, the WOD Nation Double Under rope has killer value, leading Kate to rate it a 5 out of 5 in this category. Rx Smart Gear’s jump ropes start at $55, while Rogue Fitness has speed ropes at $46. These higher prices also mean you’ll get better quality, but the WOD Nation rope is already high-quality—and it comes with an extra cable. The WOD Nation speed rope is definitely a high-value item.
That said, the rope may not be for everyone’s fitness goals. It’s ideal for double unders and quick skipping, so if you want a heavier rope for strength-focused jump rope workouts, you may want a weighted option instead.
RELATED: CrossRope Jump Rope Review
On the other hand, if you’re still working on double unders, I’ve learned—from my time as a CrossFit gym owner and trainer—that people typically learn the rhythm better with a heavier rope. So the speed rope might be a better option once you’ve stringed together a few double unders.
Great for:
- Budget-friendly cardio exercise for your home gym
- Those who regularly perform double unders in their workouts and metcons
- People who want a jump rope they can adjust to their desired length
Not recommended for:
- Users wanting a weighted jump rope workout
- Athletes still learning double unders
- Advanced CrossFitters who want a grippier handle
WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope Specs
| Price | $17.99 |
| Rope length | 10 ft (with the ability to adjust) |
| Handle length | 6.75” |
| Rotation system | Articulating swivel bearing |
| Cable material | 2.5-mm coated steel cables |
| Handle material | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) |
| Color Options | Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Yellow |
Using the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope
Kate Meier, GGR’s senior director of content and a certified personal trainer and CrossFit trainer, has owned and used the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope for several years now—over 7 by now. She’s jump roped in many ways—for both single and double unders in CrossFit workouts, as well as warm-ups and circuit training. “I’ve used it for more sessions than I can count at this point,” Kate adds. “We’re in the hundreds of sessions by now, I’m sure!”
RELATED: Best Jump Rope Exercises
She rates her workout experience with the speed rope a solid 5 out of 5, saying, “I love this rope. It’s lightweight and moves oh-so fast. Even after testing and using over a dozen speed ropes myself, this is still my absolute favorite.”
One thing to note about the performance of the WOD Nation Speed Rope is the durability of the PVC coating on the rope. WOD Nation recommends jumping rope on smooth surfaces. Abrasive surfaces like asphalt can wear down the plastic coating and expose the steel cable underneath, causing fraying and eventually breaking the rope.
Kate learned this the hard way and had to replace her cable after 3 years of use. (Fortunately, WOD Nation includes a second cable for this very reason.) Because of this, Kate rates it a 3 out of 5 for outdoor use. “You really shouldn’t use this on pavement; the coating will wear down faster than you think. If I’m going outside, I have a few squares of rubber that I drag out to jump on.”
Handles
The handles are a simple plastic—nothing fancy. There’s nothing special about the grip, leading Kate to rate the handles a 3 out of 5. That said, she does remark that the handles have held up incredibly well over 7 years of use.
“I’ve never had an issue with the handles cracking or breaking, and I haven’t taken care of this rope while I’ve had it,” Kate says. “I throw it in my car, on the floor, across the room during a double-under tantrum—and it’s never cracked.” If you’re looking for a durable pair of handles, these will do. However, if you want more of a grip on your handles while in use, you may want to look around for something with rubber handles.
Cables
The cable used on the WOD Nation Speed Rope is thin steel cable wrapped in a plastic coating. Overall, it’s a 2.5-millimeter thick cable. “It’s super thin and very fast,” Kate remarks. “Definitely one of the thinnest, lightest ropes I’ve used—comparable to Rogue’s speed ropes.”
We couldn’t find the exact weight of the cables by themselves, but for reference, the item weight on the product page is 186 grams…that’s including a second cable, the handles, and a bag. All of that still clocks in under half a pound. That’s surprisingly light. Kate rates the rope width and weight a 5 out of 5.
The rope gets a 4 out of 5 for sizing and adjustments. It’s 10 feet long, but can be adjusted smaller to fit a variety of people and frames, by unscrewing the bolts along the rope and moving the handles along the length of rope. However, once you make the adjustment, you’ll have to use wire cutters to cut off any excess cable length, which is a pretty annoying step in the process. Kate also adds that the rope uses nuts to secure the handles to the rope; they can come loose if you don’t use a wrench to tighten them.
RELATED: How To Measure Jump Rope Length
Rotation
The WOD Nation uses patented “Lightening Fast Bearings:” two ball bearings on each handle, for a total of four bearings per jump rope. Bearings are located in the handle and along the tip of the rope to ensure a smooth and fast spin. Kate rates the rotation a 5 out of 5, saying that “the four-bearing system is ideal for a speed rope and double unders. The only issues I’ve had with it were user error.”
WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope vs Rogue SR-2 3.0 Speed Rope
Rogue SR-2 3.0
Rogue SR-2 3.0 Jump Rope
Product Highlights
- Speed jump rope
- Lightweight aluminum handles
- Smooth bearing rotation system
- Thing coated cable
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight (0.35 pounds)
- Option for shorter handles
- Knurled lightweight aluminum handles
- Blazingly fast
Cons
- Thin cables can get warped easily
- Should be used only on gym flooring for longevity
- Adjustable, but screws are tiny and hard to manage
Bottom Line
The Rogue Fitness SR-2 3.0 is one of the best speed ropes for double-unders.
If you’re looking for a new jump rope, another popular speed rope is the Rogue SR-2 3.0 Speed Rope. This speed rope is a more affordable option (as some can reach over $100), but it’s still over twice the price of the WOD Nation speed rope.
Comparing the specs of the two jump ropes, they’re fairly similar—both are 10 feet long with 6.75-inch handles and a coated steel cable. The main differences I notice are the handles. The Rogue handles are made of aluminum with a bit of knurling on the end. This makes for a grippier handle, which may be enough to entice people to pay the extra money for the Rogue rope.
It’s hard to argue away the value of the WOD Nation rope, though, especially when you factor in an included second cable. Both are great options, but you’ll need to decide which is a more important factor in your speed rope: value or a finer handle?
| WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope | Rogue SR-2 3.0 Speed Rope | |
| Price | $17.99 | $46.50 |
| Rope length | 10 ft (with the ability to adjust) | 10 ft (with the ability to adjust) |
| Handle length | 6.75” | 6.75” |
| Rotation system | Articulating swivel bearing | Bearing |
| Cable material | 2.5-mm coated steel cable | 3/32” coated steel cable |
| Handle material | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) | Knurled aircraft-grade aluminum |
| Color Options | Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Yellow | Black, Pink, Purple, Silver, Blue, Gray, Green, Red |
Customer Experience
WOD Nation takes pride in their equipment, and as such, they have a pretty robust return policy. They provide a 60-day money-back guarantee on their products. If you’re not satisfied with your product within the time frame, simply return the product, and they’ll refund your money.
In lieu of a warranty, WOD Nation provides a lifetime guarantee that protects against manufacturing defects. If you notice a manufacturing defect, you can contact WOD Nation for an exchange.
One thing to note is that purchasing the speed rope from Amazon may change the policies provided. For example, the return policy on Amazon is only 30 days for a free return.
Ordering the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope
The WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope can be purchased from Amazon. While it is listed on WOD Nation’s website, as of this writing, the item is sold out. There don’t appear to be any financing options available, but for a jump rope under $20, I think most people would want to pay the full price upfront.
Customer Reviews
There are a lot of fans out there for the WOD Nation speed rope; as of this writing, the rope has an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars—from over 11,500 reviews. That’s a lot of reviews, and a pretty high score with that in mind.
Most positive reviews speak highly of the build of the rope, as well as its performance. Many people noticed how fast and lightweight the cables were.
Negative reviews also spoke about the cables; however, they had issues with the rope’s durability. One specific reviewer had the cable coating wear down pretty quickly. To minimize the wear, make sure to stay on smooth surfaces instead of rougher surfaces like concrete.
The reviewer also complained of needing wire cutters to properly adjust the cable length. While we agree it is annoying, remember that it’s something you should only need to do once, to adjust it to your desired length.
Final Verdict of Our WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope Review
After so many years of use, the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope has stood the test of time and remains one of our favorite jump ropes to recommend. With simple but durable handles and a lightweight cable, the speed rope performs exceptionally well. Plus, being under $20 and including a second cable make it one of the best value jump ropes on the market.
To get the most out of this rope, make sure to jump on smoother surfaces. If you stay away from rough asphalt and similar surfaces, this jump rope can last you for years to come.
Full Rating
WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope
This is one of the best value speed ropes on the market. It moves well, lasts a long time, and you get an extra cable with your purchase.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 21.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.31
WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope: FAQs
What is the best rope for double unders?
Double unders require a lot of speed and spin from a jump rope, which is why we’d recommend a speed jump rope. These types of jump ropes are lightweight with a thin cable (usually coated with steel) and bearings on the handles to improve the spin. Our favorite speed rope, based on its great performance and value, is the WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope, which also tops our list for the best jump rope.
How long should my speed rope be for double unders?
When finding a jump rope with the right length for double unders, you want to make sure that the rope has enough length to clear your head and legs, but also keep it closer to your body to minimize the distance the rope has to travel.
RELATED: How To Measure Jump Rope Length
A common length is to aim for about 4 to 8 inches between the top of your head and the cable while in use. Another common measurement is to step on the center of the rope and pull the lengths up the sides of your body. Ideally, the handles should be about chest or armpit height.
Because speed ropes are usually adjusted by cutting the cable, I recommend erring on the longer side with new jump ropes, especially if you’re a beginner. You can always cut off length, but you can’t add the cable length back on.
Which jump ropes are best for beginners?
If you’re newer to jumping rope, a slightly heavier jump rope will help you feel the rhythm of the rope’s spin. Many licorice ropes or beaded ropes are lightweight options that don’t spin as fast as speed ropes, allowing you to learn the cadence for jumping rope, too.
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