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Best Battle Ropes Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
Criteria Used in Evaluation of the Best Battle Ropes
These are great for both indoor or outdoor uses, but that isn’t all that judges whether or not they get on this list, or how far up the list they go once they’re on it. There are a variety of different factors that play into this, despite the overall simplicity of the object itself. What are these criteria? Well, let’s see, as we look through, in no particular order, the criteria that got these entries on the list, and what decided how far up the list they got.
Material
This is exceedingly important. Cords need to be very carefully made when it comes to what materials are used to actually make them. We’ll get into design and braids later, but for now, we’ll focus on the fact that only certain materials can be used to make them. It needs to be flexible, yet durable. Able to withstand extreme use by its owner, including twirling, thrashing, and other various tricks used by the trainers who implement these cords into their training regimen. The most commonly used materials include polypropylene, nylon, dacron, and manila. The first three in that list, however, are all synthetic materials, leaving Manila as the sole natural material. Manila is a material made from plants and leaves behind tiny hair-like follicles. This is the material that you should use when using these indoors. A natural material like manila doesn’t shed nearly as much.
Durability
Being durable was a prerequisite for even making it on the list in the first place. When you call your product a “cords” then we have certain expectations for the awesomeness of your product. Durability is one of them, and fortunately, this was not hard for this list. If you live in a particularly tropical area, then weather resistance and anti-fray is probably rather high on your priorities list for your cords. Fraying especially should be one of your top concerns because it’s certainly the top concern of the people who have bought cords in the past. If you plan on using your rope outdoors, then water resistance should be really high up on your priorities list. Finally, it’s one thing for your cords to be shrunken down by heat, but a truly durable rope has heat shrink caps.
Flexibility
Regardless of what actual exercises you plan on doing with your equipment, flexibility is key. After all, if there’s anything you are entitled to expect from your limp, dry exercise noodle the world has deemed to be a special kind of cords because that sounds catchier, it’s flexibility. When using it, you should be able to unravel the thing out of the box you got it in, start using it, then roll it back up just as easily as at the start of this process without breaking a sweat. One of the most common complaints is that they’re too stiff, and indeed, at the start, you will have to break it in before you get the full experience. They’ve spent the better part of who even knows when wrapped up into a single form, that being a circle, while they hung on store shelves, waiting for someone to buy them. You don’t go that long in one shape, and then just go into another shape without any problems.
Available sizes
One of the biggest considerations you need to make before choosing one at all is settling on what size you want it to be. This is actually a lot more important than you’d think. For one, the obvious; if you don’t have all that much room outside and must exercise indoors, then you probably shouldn’t get the rope that lets you potentially knock down a vase from across the room. But on top of that, you need to not only consider length but width as well. The most commonly used width, and generally deemed the most useful, are 1.5-2 inches.
Cost
You’re likely used to this credo, as it applies to pretty much everything else in life, but when searching for a good one, you need to walk the balancing act of quality and cost. Don’t worry, you won’t have to worry about them absolutely breaking the bank underfoot. However, they can get pretty expensive all things considered. While most options out there on the market right now are priced rather conservatively, there are still those out there that sit squarely on the far end of the cost spectrum. If you feel that you must purchase a more expensive one, then research must be done. You’ll be spending a lot of money, after all, so do your homework and make sure that you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Does it do everything you need it to do? Does it do those things better than every other cord you’ve seen thus far? If yes to both of those questions, then the price is worth it, and you may spend.
Now, how can you do this research? Simple, through the magic of the internet! Specifically, customer reviews or even professional review articles posted on weightlifting and exercise sites. These will serve you better than pretty much any other type of research you can perform on this topic.
Finally, make sure that you aren’t paying for a name. We know that sounds obvious but bear in mind that many of the different brands that deal in this equipment use the same materials, the same designs and construction, and the same braids. So, when deciding on what you want to get, you need to get specific.
Top 10 Picks
1. Titan Fitness
Kicking off this list right, we have the Titan brand option. The reason that these get the #1 spot is very simple; in terms of raw power and intensity, these ropes have pretty much the rest of the competition beat by a country mile. So, what does this mean in a more specific sense? Well, let’s see.
Long, comfy handles
Taking one look at your average set of cords, your hands are probably already on fire imagining that rope burn. Thankfully, many options, including these, make sure to have handles for your hands to help them keep up the workout for longer periods of time without wearing out or burning your hands. And the handles on these are so long and comfortable, that you’ll barely even notice.
Fray-resistant
These are still ropes, despite how big and impressive they appear. And like any rope, they can fray as time goes on. Luckily, this set is so tightly braided and carefully crafted, that fraying is almost impossible for a majority of its lifespan.
Cost and Value
You’ll typically find this set of battle ropes for a very decent price, considering the high-quality material and crafting used to make it.
2. NEXPro
Coming in at our 2nd place spot, we have the NEXPro Battle Rope. The biggest draw to this rope is very simple; it’s one of the most durable on the list. Made from pure polypropylene and polyester, this rope isn’t fraying anytime soon. Of course, that isn’t all that this battle rope has going for it.
Oxford waterproof sleeve
While the material of this is not waterproof, they are very water resistant. And if you are afraid that it’s going to rain pretty hard in the middle of your training, then don’t worry, because this set of comes with an oxford waterproof sleeve, which is completely waterproof. So, if you aren’t too afraid of getting wet yourself, your training can continue as normal.
Heat shrink end caps
The end of this rope (or at least, the end of the rope that you aren’t meant to hold onto) is covered in a heat shrink cap. These keep hardcore industrial wires from fraying, so you’d better believe that a simple option is no match for it.
Cost and Value
Once more, you’ll find this set for a very reasonable price. Not very cheap, granted, but far from being too expensive.
3. Garage Fit
Finishing up our top 3, we have the Garage Fit option. Most of these other products are locked into one, maybe two levels of fitness. You have to generally be a certain body build in order to get out of these cords what they ask of you. However, the garage fit stands apart from the others by being able to be used by people of any body type, regardless of how much or how little experience in the gym they may have beforehand. How does it do this? Let’s take a look.
Flexible design
Made from an ultra-durable polyester blend, this is both wear resistant and incredibly flexible. This flexibility is the big secret behind the user-friendliness of this. Because it’s so flexible in and of itself, you’ll usually be paired up with these cords when you’re just starting out with working on your lean muscles.
Easy to store
These are pretty big ropes. Not super big, mind you, but big enough for you to think to yourself “Wow that would be a nightmare to store in my house.” However, you need not to worry with such things because its flexible design also helps it rolls up nicely, allowing it to be stored securely almost anywhere.
Cost and Value
The big drawback to this item is the price. It’s often found to be at least $20 more than the previous two entries in most major retailers. Not to say it isn’t worth the value, because it more than is.
4. Super Deal
In the #4 place, we have Super Deal Black option. This here is the product that you look for when you need one that’s equal parts affordable and features all the bells and whistles one expects from a high-quality option. How does it accomplish this task? Well, to give you an idea:
100% Poly Dacron construction
This product is made from 100% poly dacron construction. Poly dacron is completely wear-resistant, so it’ll be years before this shows even the slightest sign of wear and tear. And with a 3-strand twisted braid design, the durability of this rope shoots up immensely.
Available in multiple sizes and lengths
Not everyone has the space required to use the really long options you see on TV or online. So, it’s good to see that this is available in a wide variety of different lengths and widths, so everyone, regardless of the space they have to actually exercise in.
Cost and Value
The best part about this product is the price. This is easily among the cheapest entries on this entire list. So, if you want a high-quality rope for a low price, then you’re looking in the right places.
5. AmazonBasics
Coming into the center of the list, we have our #5 pick, the AmazonBasics option. Once more, we have a high-quality training rope available at a great price. What else does this rope have in its corner? Quite a bit, actually.
Polyester, 3-strand thick design
The secret behind the durability of this is its design. Made from polyester, one of the most durable yet flexible cloths in the world, and then weaved into a 3-strand thick design, this is one of the tightest wound options on the market right now. And with that tightly wound design comes an excellent amount of durability.
Heat shrink ends
You may notice the ends of this are smaller than the rest of the body, even if just by a little bit. That’s because polyester tends to shrink when exposed to concentrated heat, which the manufacturers of this rope took advantage of, by using heat shrinking technology to compact the ends of this rope. This keeps the rope nice and tightly wound by keeping the strands so tightly compact, so they can’t move.
Cost and Value
This is a little pricey, but nothing too bad, certainly not as bad as the #3 entry. While a good bit above the average price of these cords, it isn’t anything unmanageable.
6. Comie
In our #6 spot, we have the Comie Poly Dacron Rope. We all know what these cords can do for our lean muscles, but they have other benefits as well, if applied correctly. With this option, you’ll find yourself building up your core muscles along with your lean muscle mass and end up accumulating more stamina from it. How is this possible? Well, let’s see.
Easy maintenance
You may think that the little yellow stripe along this is just there for show, but you would be wrong. While yes, it does do a lot to differentiate it from its peers, it also makes for surprisingly easy maintenance.
600D oxford waterproofing
This may not stand up for long against the elements if left out in the open for too long, but with the 600D waterproof oxford sleeve, you can leave it outside for days on end, where it rains every single day, and you’ll still be able to use it. You may not even find a single drop of water on it when all’s said and done.
Cost and Value
Unlike the previous entries, the price of this rope will vary depending on the size you buy it in. It can go from one of the cheaper entries on the list, to easily one of the most expensive. All of which depends on the size in which you buy it.
7. Trademark Innovations
In the 7th place spot, we have the Trademark Innovations option. These are essential for those who want to add a bit of extra endurance and variety to their average workout. But what makes them so special? Well, for starters:
Water resistant
No keeping track of a waterproof sleeve for this. Not to say it doesn’t come with its own little sleeve, but ironically, it isn’t waterproof, so don’t take it out into the rain. Luckily, the rope itself very much is, so you can use it near water or out in the rain without having to put on some silly little sleeve.
Can be used indoors and out
You probably aren’t keen on using these cords indoors, especially if, between workouts, you also love to collect fine china. However, so long as you make sure to buy it in a more manageable size, you can use this pretty much anywhere, both inside and out.
Cost and Value
Once more, we have a product that comes in a wide variety of different sizes, all with their own price tags depending on the length and width. However, while the small size is cheaper, the longer sizes can be far more expensive than anything else on the list.
8. Giantex
Kicking off our final 3, we have this option from Giantex. Considered by many to be possibly the most challenging piece of exercise equipment, not only with this type of exercise equipment but in the exercise market in general, this one will more than give you a run for your money. What does it have going for it to earn that moniker? Let’s see.
Breaks in fast
With many these, you typically have to keep using it for a bit to really break it in. They’ve spent the better part of who knows how long, after all, sitting wrapped up on a store shelf, so it’s only natural that they’re a bit stiff. However, this rope breaks in remarkably fast, taking no more than just 2 or 3 workouts before reaching peak flexibility.
Dependable
It’s only natural that this is durable, as that is a prerequisite for even getting on the list at all. However, this option brings something extra to the table: dependability. It will be years before this rope sees even a single fray.
Cost and Value
Once again, this rope comes in multiple sizes, and thus multiple prices. However, the prices are far better than previously established entries, as this price range is nowhere near as brutal.
9. ZENY
In our second to last place spot, we have our #9 entry, the ZENY Poly Dacron. This is one you would go for if you need a pretty affordable option that will still hold up through wear and tear. While there may be better options, do not discount the ZENY Poly Dacron just yet.
Durable
Like other entries on this list, this rope is made from 100% pure poly dacron and utilizes a 3-strand twisted braid pattern for its construction. While this design is used more for polyester, it lends itself well to being used by poly dacron, making for a durable, if not very flexible, rope.
Fray resistant
Using heat shrink caps and the 3-strand twisted braid pattern, this is nigh impervious to fraying over time. Sure, it may fray as the years wear on, especially if you don’t take care of it. But if that isn’t a problem for you, then you don’t need to worry.
Cost and Value
This comes in a variety of different sizes, but like with the previous entry, the price range is very forgiving and doesn’t drain your wallet dry just because you want a slightly larger sized option.
10. Fitness Solutions
In our final entry for this list, we have the Fitness Solutions Black Poly Dacron Training Rope. This is a good, basic version of exactly what it sets out to be: a good, basic training rope for people just now getting into the exercise of using it. What does it actually have going for it? Let’s find out.
Good rope for beginners
Some see it as an insult, of sorts, to call something “for beginners.” Well, we all have to start somewhere, so it may as well be here. Made from durable poly dacron and weaved into a 3-strand twisted braid construction, this rope is professional quality, while still being a flexible option for exercisers just starting out.
Endures the outside well
We kept seeing with the other entries all about how those other cords needed some type of sleeve or another form of protection to keep them safe from the outside elements. Whether it’s a sleeve or special protective coating, but this rope is just flat out okay to use outside because it’s just that well made.
Cost and Value
The big drawback of this rope is the price. The price range isn’t quite as insane as the #8 spot, but it still gets pretty high when it wants to, and boy does it want to.
