The Umi Weighted Skipping Rope can be used with or without weights for endurance or cardio work, while its 360-degree bearings make it super smooth.

When working out at home, you should always be able to bring a variety of equipment with you onto the exercise mat. Chances are, you’ve already thought about weights for strength training, but what about cardio sessions? For that, you should consider investing in a jump rope. This time, I’m testing the Umi Weighted Skipping Rope – can a product produced by Amazon really live up to the standards of specialized fitness gear rivals? Let’s find out.

Men’s Fitness verdict

If you’re a jack of all trades, chances are that you’re a master of none. That certainly applies here. It’s competent when weighted or free, but there are better ropes for either discipline.
Pros
  • Neat two-in-one concept
  • Grippy handles
Cons
  • May not be able to replace weights after shortening
  • Even without weights there are lighter, quicker ropes

How we test skipping ropes

Our experienced product tester Lucy Gornall tested each skipping rope set featured in our group test over the span of at least a month. She put them through a range of workouts and speed drills, and used all included accessories and rope weights, judging each system on the smoothness of their rotation, their grip and durability – before awarding a final score that also took into account price, availability and included accessories.

At first glance, this weighted Umi rope looks geared towards endurance work over speed. But, the more you look into it, the more you realize it’s actually trying to cater to both session genres. On paper, that sounds great, but how does it play out in practice?

Design features of the Umi Weighted Skipping Rope

The total weight of the jump rope and handles is a noticeable 465g, which has the effect of making skipping feel tougher on the upper body.

But, by unscrewing the handles, the weights can be removed, offering more of an intense cardio workout. In theory, the Umi offers two ropes for the price of one. However, although the rope can be adjusted, the weights no longer fit inside the handles if you shorten it significantly – which is less than ideal.

That said, skipping with this rope is seamless thanks to its 360-degree rapid swiveling ball bearings. Its handles are comfortable, too, and covered in an anti-slip silicone. (Even after a 20-minute sweat session, these handles weren’t leaving my grip.)

Unlike many other weighted ropes, which tend to be quite stiff, the Umi folds away easily. But there are lighter ropes for keeping permanently in a gym bag.

What other skipping ropes should I consider?

If you are indeed looking for a lighter rope, the Freeletics Jump Rope is worth a shout. It’s lightweight, well-put-together, and ideal for speed sessions.

Alternatively, you could consider the Crossrope Speed Performance Set. This set of ropes does a much better job of covering off multiple bases, thanks to its commendable weight variation. It’s a high-quality product, as you can feel through simple ergonomic touches like the easily rotatable handles. Plus, as a marker of its quality, it even comes with a lifetime warranty – so it’s well worth the slightly higher upfront cost.