Skipping ropes from French Days
The Skipping Ropes selection from the French Days is aimed at practitioners of boxing, Muay Thai, MMA and other combat sports, featuring the weighted rope Everlast. It's a simple and compact tool that works on breath, front foot support, and rhythm, for warm-ups as well as at the end of a session, in the club or at home.
The boxer’s training tool, at a discounted price.
Why the skipping rope is the boxer's exercise
The skipping rope emulates what the ring demands: staying on the balls of your feet, chaining together small steps without stopping, and keeping your shoulders relaxed for several minutes. It builds breath and endurance through sets that mimic the duration of a round, three minutes in professional boxing, followed by a minute of recovery. It also hones the coordination between hands and feet, essential for hitting while moving. In Thai boxing and MMA, where legs strike as much as fists, it strengthens the calves and ankles engaged by the stances and kicks.
The rest of the equipment
The French Days combat sports also include:
All offers are gathered on the combat sports page.
Weighted rope Everlast: shoulder workout
The weighted rope from Everlast is heavier than a speed rope: the weight, located in the handles or distributed along the cable, forces the shoulders, forearms, and wrists to work harder with each turn. The pace slows down, which allows time to focus on posture and jump consistency. It complements the work on the bag by strengthening the muscles that keep the guard up throughout a fight. It’s used in short sets at first, as the cardio effort increases quickly. Everlast, founded in 1910 in the Bronx by Jacob Golomb, initially made bathing suits before supplying the gloves for Jack Dempsey, crowned champion of the world heavyweight title in 1919.
Adjusting the rope length according to your height
The correct length is checked standing, one foot placed in the centre of the rope: the handles pulled up alongside the body should reach under the armpits for a beginner, nearer to the bottom of the chest for a confident jumper seeking speed. A rope that is too long strikes the ground far ahead and slows the turn; a rope that is too short forces you to jump high and trips the feet. Models with adjustable cables can be shortened with a screw or a knot hidden in the handle, without cutting the cable. For a child taking educational boxing lessons, a shorter and lighter rope is chosen, suited to their height and strength.
Ground, steps and session progression
The ground is as important as the rope: a wooden floor, mat or gym covering absorbs landings, while concrete tires the shins and quickly wears the cable, which can eventually split. Progress is made by adding steps: feet together, then alternating steps like running, boxer’s steps with a slight transfer from one foot to the other, crossed and double passes for the more advanced. Consistency is more important than duration: a few rounds of rope in each session lead to more progress than a long isolated set. The French Days are perfect for equipping a new licensee before their first lessons. The rope should be stored without tying it to avoid marking the cable.
Frequently asked questions
Speed rope or weighted rope: which one to choose for starting boxing?
A beginner learns the movement more easily with a classic rope, light enough to turn effortlessly. The weighted rope comes later, once the rhythm is established, to strengthen the shoulders and intensify the sets.
How long to skip rope per boxing session?
During warm-up, two or three rounds of three minutes separated by a minute of rest prepare the body. At the end of the session, a few additional sets maintain endurance; gradually increase to protect the calves and Achilles tendons.
Is the skipping rope useful in Thai boxing?
Yes, Thai boxing clubs often integrate it into warm-ups, sometimes with longer sets than in English boxing. It strengthens the calves and ankles, used heavily for kicks and foot placements, and maintains lightness of movement.
Does skipping rope help with weight loss?
It’s an intense cardio exercise that burns a lot of energy in a short time. Combined with a balanced diet and regular training, it helps to lose fat mass while strengthening the legs and coordination.
How to avoid tripping over the rope?
You jump low, just a few inches off the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body and rotating the rope with your wrists rather than with your arms. A rope at the right length and a steady rhythm, even if slow at first, minimize tangles.
