So update. It’s really not indestructable. I’m disappointed because I wish it lasts longer. The previous post was written last year, but I did not skip everyday. Not consistent at all. But since I skip on mostly concrete or driveway, the cable wore out. At least the cable won’t be cut near the handles.
I think that’s why Crossrope is selling mats. Or some jumprope has beads. but Crossrope’s mat is ridiculously expensive, beaded jumprope is loud. I guess I’m stuck with the PVC coated cables for now.
I wanted to keep doing drills at home while I can’t go to the gym but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. For slip line drills, I could use my hand wraps but it’s quite annoying if I need to roll it again once I don’t use it and I will probably never do the drill again. I also don’t want hand wraps to be loose in case my kids or cats accidentally play with if I forget to roll it back.
So, I got my materials to make a slip line from dollarama. It will cost $8CAD + tax to buy but I didn’t use all materials which is about $1 or less.
What you will need: Paracord($4 for 50′, I used 1′) bungee cord($4 for 12, I used only 1) box cutter or scissors lighter
1. Once you measure the length between 2 hooks/eye bolts. Then prepare the paracord just a bit longer than your desired length
2. Cut the bungee cord in half
3. Connect each end. In my case, I used the 4th method in this video
4. Use the lighter to melt the end of paracord and bungee cord
I buy jump ropes from dollar stores because it’s probably the cheapest fitness equipment(only $2!!) other than my own body weight. They are my favorate equipment compared to anything because it lets me improve my cardio in any space and they fit right in pants pockets.
I bought it some years ago as a backup then forgot about it..
The problem with them is that they don’t last long. I’m not sure whether it’s the quality or PVC ropes in general but they always snaps. It seems not getting any better because the most recent one snapped after 5 days of use, 6 rounds(3 minutes each, 1 minute rest in between) each day.
It always snaps near the end of the handles.
I got sick of this PVC rope so I had an idea after checking out a local home depot store. There is a PVC coated cable that is same thickness as the PVC rope that was snapped.
I bought it from rona
So I measured the length, cut it, paid at the checkout. I needed 9ft so $8.1CAD + tax so… just about $9.
There I have $11.5CAD (almost) indestructible jump rope!
But this also has some problem…
It’s way heavier than PVC rope so if you are a fast skipper, be aware of the load on your wrist. I do a lot of double unders, my wrists are sore for few weeks. If you are a fast skipper, find a good quality PVC jump rope and maybe invest in a mat to protect your rope being worn out.
I bought exact thickness cable which made it hard to install rope clips(not sure what they are called but the pieces that holds ropes to stop them from slipping out). You may want to bring the handle to check the fit because you may need thinner cable than you think.
Even though the cable is very strong, it’s still worn out. Once the PVC coat is worn, the cable is exposed. It will take a long time to break and that’s why I mentioned it’s almost indestructible. But it’s quite cool to spark up on concrete ground though. 🙂
Once the cable is exposed, be careful of cable threads(or fibers?). They can cut or poke your skin, clothes and it can be uglier than cuts from knives or papers.
Materials: 1. 8 SUV tires (compact cars’ tires won’t be good because they are too light and don’t have thick sidewalls) 2. Hex bolts, washers, nuts x 21 (I’ve gotten 5/16″. Because the tire walls are thick, get longer than 1.5″ full threaded bolts, not partial. They are my only purchase for this, under $35CAD) 3. Masking tape, sharpie and a cutter knife 4. A stubby phillips screwdriver 5. Hand drill, 1/2″ drill bit (I’ll explain later) 6. A socket, ratchet socket wrench, adjustable wrench 7. Vacuum cleaner I’ve collected 8 tires for free from local mechanic shops. Since they are different sized, the bigger the tire is, the lower it’s going to be in the stack.
Once that’s done, label them so you know the order.
I’ve gotten 21 sets of bolts, washers and nuts to secure 8 tires.. so I will need 3 sets between tires. Put a tire on another, check the alignment, then use the masking tape to mark 3 corners. Try marking with the tape as straight as possible.
It’s going to make your life easier when you label each corner so that you don’t have to find it again later. Cut the masking tape. After that, put the upper tire down but upside down. We need to drill upper one first.
Before drilling a hole, put longer masking tape for each corner as an extension so that you know where you will drill. I chose a bigger drill bit than the bolt size because those SUV tires(one was a truck tire) has strong sidewalls, so even with a bigger hole, there will be some struggle. ** A tip. Clean the rubber bits every time you drill the tires. If you don’t, those rubber bits will go everywhere. Even on you hair! **
After drilling 3 corners of upper tire, put the upper tire on the lower one and align it again. Get the stubby screwdriver. It’s time to mark on the lower tire.
Find a hole from the inside of the upper tire. Poke through the hole as straight as possible. If you don’t, the bolt would be slanted, hard to secure well because of strong sidewalls. Do this for all 3 corners and put the upper tire down again.
You will see a small mark on the lower tire. That’s where you should be drilling. After that, put the upper tire on the lower one, align them again. Now it’s time to secure them with bolts, washers and nuts. Use wrenches to fasten them real tight, they will get loose over time.
pretty random archives 