How Long Should a Cable Jump Rope Be Cut?

Over time, jumping rope has proven itself as an effective exercise in developing endurance and lower-body strength and improving cardiovascular health. To gain all the benefits associated with jumping rope, you need a jump rope of the correct length. This ensures that you can keep your timing without ducking your head with each swing. Determining the correct length for your jump rope is only part of the ultimate jump rope experience; more remains after you find its ideal length.

  1. Determining Length Mathematically

    • Even without having the jump rope, you can determine the length you need with a simple mathematical formula. To get an accurate length, you must measure your height while wearing your workout shoes. At some point, you will change your shoes, but the minimal difference in height should not change your jump rope length more than a fraction of an inch. Add 34 inches to your height to determine your jump rope length. For example, if you measure 64 inches tall and add 34 inches to that measurement, you will need a jump rope measuring 98 inches.

    Determining Length Manually

    • If you have your jump rope in hand, you can get an exact length without using a tape measure or math. Put on your workout shoes, extend one foot forward and stand up straight. Hook the jump rope under your forward foot. Lift both handles toward your chest. If the top of the handles sit at your armpits, you have a jump rope with the correct length. If the jump rope handles extend above your armpits, you will need to shorter its length. Keep one handle at your armpit while lifting the other handle until the rope is tight. Place a mark on the longer side of the jump rope where the rope sits next to the lower handle -- this is the correct length for your rope.

    Cutting the Cable

    • If your rope needs to be shortened, remove the end caps from the ends of both handles by prying them away from the handle body with a flathead screwdriver. Slide both handles toward the rope’s center to expose both ends of the cable. Notice that one end of the cable has a factory-secured end and the other has an adjustable band with a setscrew. Loosen the setscrew with a Phillips screwdriver. Slide the band toward the center of the jump rope. Mark the length on the band side of the rope with a permanent marker. Cut the rope 1 inch above the mark with a pair of wire cutters. Slide the band up to the mark and tighten the setscrew to lock the band in place. Pull the handles to the ends of the cables and secure the end caps.

    Testing the Rope

    • Use your jump rope for 10 to 15 jumps to determine if the length is comfortable. Remember, if you shortened your rope, you have 1 inch of cable adjustment inside one of your handles. Remove the end caps and reset the setscrew if you require further adjustment.