Learning the ropes to a better workout

Don’t be intimidated by boxers and 8-year-old girls. Skipping rope is a great calorie burner, cardiovascular workout and body toner that anyone can do by following two rules: Vary your jumps often to prevent muscle fatigue, and know the ropes. Light or heavy, fast or slow, one of the four below should suit your needs.

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Handles weights too

Harbinger 2-Pound Weighted Rope: Hollow, plastic handles each hold up to 1 pound of steel weights.

Likes: Heavy handles made the workout more challenging, raising my heart rate, and working my arms, shoulders and legs. The weights -- four half-pound cylinders -- remove easily. Dense, rubber-coated rope holds shape better than lightweight, low-cost nylon or leather ropes.

Dislikes: Some experts say that the extra fatigue may compromise form, detracting from the aerobic workout in the long run (although it didn’t bother me).

Price: $19.95, (800) 729-5958; www.harbinger sports.com.

Beaded and tough

Rope Warrier Lifeline Power Jump Rope: A beginner-to-intermediate beaded rope made of a thin fabric cord strung with 3/4-inch plastic extrusions. Signature “trick rope” of David (“The Rope Warrior”) Fisher, holder of the Guinness World Record for “tush-ups” (jumps from a seated position).

Likes: Most natural-feeling swing of the ropes tested. The large, weighty beads turn with ideal momentum, even on carpet and in windy outdoor conditions. Easily adjustable length. Comfy padded handles. Low price.

Dislikes: None.

Price: $12.95, (888) 567-7673; www .ropewarrior.com.

Swivels for speed

Buddy Lee Hyperformance Rope Master Jump Rope: Lightweight speed rope with swivel bearings and a thin urethane tubing. Designed for athletes by Buddy Lee, two-time Olympic wrestler and master jump rope trainer to U.S. Olympic athletes.

Likes: The sound, the look, the exhilaration. Whips through the air with a fearsome whistling whoosh, warning pets to back off. Turns fast enough to do double and triple revolutions with relative ease. The high-tech-looking padded handles and Olympic symbol decal inspire.

Dislikes: Lightweight rope doesn’t hold its shape well at slow speeds. . Probably too advanced for beginners.

Price: $25, (800) 953-JUMP; www.buddy

leejumpropes.com.

Counts as you go

Tanita Healthy Jump Calorie-Counting Jump Rope: Tracks how many jumps you’ve done and comes with a display that shows calories burned. Has a translucent blue handle with an LCD display.

Likes: Motivating and fun. Counter is fairly accurate. Time goes faster while competing with yourself. Simple programming. Length adjusts easily.

Dislikes: None

Price: $19.99, (800) 826-4828; www .tanita.com.