Described as the ‘do everything, go anywhere rope’, the fourth version of RPM’s speed rope is perfect for quick skipping.
A perfect companion for the best soft exercise mats, the fourth generation of RPM speed rope promises rapid rotation in a high-quality package. I decided to put it to the test to see whether or not it’s really as good as it sounds on paper. Read on to learn more.
Men’s Fitness verdict
This rope is very good at what it sets out to do – it’s light, strong and rapid. Unfortunately, it’s not the easiest to configure or pack away.- Fast and smooth rotation
- Handles are guarantees for five years
- Changes in length are permanent
- Difficult to pack away
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.
Described as the ‘do everything, go anywhere rope’, this should surely be deserving a place among the best skipping ropes available on the current market. Happily, it really does elicit serious speed, ideal for crushing double-unders or even triple-unders. As well as being fast, RPM says that this is their strongest rope yet.
Configuring and using the RPM Session 4.0 speed rope
Made for use indoors or on a soft mat, the RPM Session 4.0 does require a bit of handy work to nail the correct length. You’ll need the included hex wrench and a pair of cable cutters, so any length changes will be permanent. After cutting the rope, thread it through the appropriate holes in the handle and tighten with the wrench.
The cable flows comfortably when skipping and the aluminium handles offer a good grip.
The RPM is a little harder to pack away than other ropes as the steel doesn’t really bend much. However, it does come with a microfiber bag which makes it easier to carry around.
As well as feeling smooth, the RPM looks the part. Its handles come in a choice of gold, blue, red or black, as well as a five-year guarantee.
What other skipping ropes are worth consideration?
For all the good things about this rope, adjustability is not one of them. So, if you want a jump rope that can offer different weight variations, you should consider looking at the Crossrope Speed Performance Set as an alternative. Similarly, if you want the ability to change the length of the rope at whim, something like the Freeletics Jump Rope should fit the bill nicely.
