In this guide, allow us to relieve you of one of the most asked questions around battle ropes – what is the best length for battle ropes?
Building that personalized calisthenics program may have taken a lot of research and planning, so we can’t blame you if you want to extend the same degree of meticulousness when shopping for workout tools.
Let’s be real – choosing which battle rope to buy can be just as intimidating and challenging as using one.
Several brands will promise you the moon and the stars just to catch your eye (and your wallet), so it pays to know the most objective considerations that can help you choose the right one. After all, getting your own battle rope can be a pretty expensive investment.
Hop in as we break down why length is important in the first place, along with a sizing guide that can help take the hassle off of battle rope shopping.
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How does length affect a battle rope?
Do you just want a quick burn to get your heart rate up? Or are you up for the challenge of explosive strength exercises?
The length of your battle rope can spell the difference between chill and devastating workouts.
The equation is pretty simple. The longer the rope, the harder resistance you will get.
Let’s explore the science behind it.
A battle rope’s length determines its property of fluidity. The length will determine the force you will have to apply to make the rope move. This simply means that the movements of longer battle ropes tend to be unpredictable or unstable, thus it is a much greater challenge when using them. The added resistance makes it more difficult to control both the direction and height of the waves as you execute.
In contrast, shorter ropes are scrutinized for having less fluidity. Ever noticed how they can’t make waves that are as graceful-looking as what you would get from a 50-foot rope? This is because a form of recoil gets sent back to you immediately even before the force you exert reaches the anchor point.
This effect is further amplified by the thickness of your battle rope.
Usually, these tools come in 1.5 inches and 2 inches variants. It may not seem that much at first, but that half of an inch difference can be immense in changing your battle rope workout difficulty.
There is also a weight factor here, longer and thicker ropes will weigh more, so expect to get even more powerful resistance when you go for the bulkiest and longest battle ropes.
What are the different lengths of battle ropes available in the market?
In our buyer guide where we crowned the six best battle ropes for calisthenics, we have enumerated a couple of all-around kits where you can choose from their 30, 40, and 50 feet options.
These battle ropes have to be folded in half during installation, with the middle secured by an anchor (e.g. wall-mounted anchors, kettlebells or weights, etc.). So if you grabbed a 30 feet battle rope, you would take up 15 feet of space. Considering other factors like thickness and materials used, brands often have insider recommendations on which product will suit what skill level or type of training program.
There are also tools such as the Hyperwear Hyper Rope that has been developed to bypass the need for fixed anchor points. Made with a fluid metal dense core, it can be powerful enough even with its 20 feet design.
That’s for traditional battle ropes, but our think tanks in the fitness industry have also created single rope trainers that don’t require much space or complex setups. There are companies that offer ropes as short as 10 feet but weigh as much as their longer counterparts. However, it might not be compatible for use if you’re after a more traditional battle rope workout.
What is the best length for battle ropes?
There is a vast collection of sizing guides and customer reviews out there, but the best person to consult regarding the best length for battle ropes is your own characteristics and goals. Here are a couple of pointers you can keep in mind before clicking that buy now button:
#1: Where will you train with your battle ropes?
One thing we love the most about battle ropes is its versatility. As long as you have enough space and a stable anchor point, you can practically use them anywhere!
But of course, the area available in your training location will determine the right length of battle rope to buy.
If you will use them inside an apartment or studio, you might want to stick with its shorter variants. Single rope trainers can work great too. They will be lighter and less fluid, but at least your indoor gym won’t come at the expense of cracked floors and broken furniture.
If you plan to train outdoors (e.g. in your garden or at the park) or perhaps set up a garage gym, you can go for the massive 50-foot length ropes.
Just remember that whatever battle rope you decide to purchase, you will need a clear space that is half of its total length.
#2: What is your skill level?
In the same way that the intensity of your exercises should be compatible with your current skill level, the work out tools you will use should be too. You would not grab a hundred-pound dumbbell on your first-ever trip to the gym, would you?
For beginners, it will be easier to acquaint yourself with battle ropes training with shorter products. Less resistance. Easier workouts.
It’s important to respect your limits at the start of your training program. It would be such a mood-killer if you’d just end up feeling frustrated and unfulfilled after failing to execute decent waves with long, heavy ropes.
Don’t worry, you can always scale up your battle rope’s length as you gain the needed strength and endurance to handle maximum resistance.
#3: What types of exercise will you be using your battle ropes for?
Along with your physical strengths and limits, you must also consider the intensity and nature of your workout routine when choosing battle ropes.
For people who are committed to bodybuilding or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), dial-up your workout with a rope that is 50 feet and 2 inches thick. These will assist you in stimulating your muscle fibers with the highest resistance and tension possible. If your fitness fundamentals are pretty much solid already, handling short, light ropes can feel kind of like throwing around a wet noodle.
Meanwhile, cardio enthusiasts can already reap great results even with a 30 foot or shorter rope and with 1.5-inch thickness. With these being lighter for use, you will be able to tame your battle rope better while executing complex exercises.
Final Thoughts
While we have covered length and thickness in this guide, there are other factors you must consider before investing in your own battle rope.
You’d be slamming your ropes like crazy, so they have to withstand a lot of beating and pressure. It’s absolutely unacceptable to end up with a product that will break, shed, or fray after just a couple of intense use.
Brands tend to over glorify their products’ durability, so be sure to check out actual customer reviews. It’s also a plus if your purchase will come with a warranty.
Traditional battle ropes are often made of poly dacron (polypropylene blended with dacron plastic fibers) or twisted cotton, with the former often hailed as the more premium in terms of strength and resistance to shedding.
Our buyers guide also features products with unconventional materials such as sand-filled neoprene and heavy rubber.
With an ample amount of self-reflection and research, it’s possible to avoid the regret of owning a battle rope that’s impossible to use or incompatible to your fitness goals. If shopping for workout tools and equipment has always been a nightmare for you, we sure hope that this guide took a couple of confusions off your mind.
Have you already tried out varying lengths and types of battle ropes? We’d love to hear about your personal favorites in the comment section!
