Fitness trends come and go. In 2023, it’s time we go back to the basics. Jump rope is where it’s at—I’m a case in point. I started jump rope fitness from scratch in May of 2020 during the lockdown. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one. People everywhere, are getting back into skipping to improve their cardiovascular health and lose weight. It’s one of the most effective exercises for overall health. Plus, it can be done virtually anywhere. It’s no surprise then—jump ropes are getting smart.
I’m reviewing the Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope. It features a pair of smart jump rope handles that connect to smartphones to record and track jump rope data. Needless to say, I was looking forward to this review.
Specs: Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope
- Bluetooth connectivity, compatible with iOS, Android, and Apple Watch
- Rechargeable lithium battery, 30 days of use on a single charge
- Track workout stats using the Paiactive app
- On-screen display for calories burned and jump rope count.
Design of the Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope
The Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope uses a durable rope that is hard to break. It’s made from a 7-strand steel wire that is PVC-wrapped. The rope length is 9 feet and 10 inches and it will work for most heights. The rope connects to the handle through a loop system which makes it easy to adjust it to any size. To determine the right rope size, I put one foot on the middle of the rope and held up the handles to my chest. For most people, the top of the handle should be around the armpits. I adjusted the rope accordingly to get the perfect length.
The handles are long, narrow, and easy to hold. One of the handles features an on-screen display with a micro-USB charging port on the bottom. Here you can see the number of jumps and calories burned with a quick glance. This data is also sent via Bluetooth to the Paiactive app. More on that later.
Getting the Yu-mn Smart Jump rope setup was quick and easy. After downloading the app, I followed the pairing instructions and I was ready for my first workout session.
Using the Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope
I typically use a lightweight nylon speed rope. The first thing I noticed about the Yu-mn rope was how incredibly light the handles are. I’ve reviewed other smart jump ropes, and they were heavy. I was not expecting light handles. Theoretically, I should be able to do trick moves like cross-overs and side swings.
I filmed myself using the rope for the first time. Surprisingly, it felt very comfortable and I was able to do all my standard moves. To be honest, I was shocked. It typically takes time to get used to a new rope. I went full ninja mode in a matter of seconds. It’s also been a while since I’ve used a PVC-wrapped steel rope. I wasn’t expecting to have much rope control but I had no issues whatsoever. In fact, doing advanced moves like continuous alternate hand crossover swings was easy. I’m so glad I filmed this initial test—it looks like I’ve been using this rope for a long time.
Smart features inside the Paiactive app
The Yu-mn Smart Rope doesn’t seem to have its own dedicated app. Instead, it uses the Paiactive app. Here users have three jumping modes: Free Mode, Time Down, and Count Down. Free Mode lets you jump and track your jumps, the length of the workout session, and consumption (kcal). Time Down sets a timer and Count Down sets the number of jumps to count down from.
I used the Free Mode to track jumps. If you jump and look at the phone screen, you will notice a slight delay in the jump counter. That’s expected from a wireless Bluetooth device. Periodically, a coach will say “Keep going, very close to your goals!).
I don’t understand what consumption (kcal) data means. I think it’s supposed to be estimated calories burned. The app tracks workout data over the course of days, weeks, months, and years. This is a quick and easy way to visually see your workout data and track your progress.
Suggested improvements for the Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope
The Yu-mn has a stellar overall design. The handles are light and comfortable and it comes with a durable rope that will last a long time. However, I accidentally press the button on one of the handles during jump sessions. Perhaps it might make more sense to move the buttons to the middle. That way you don’t press them by mistake.
In regard to the smart features, Yu-mn needs to develop its own app from the ground up. The Paiactive app seems limited. I would like to see more features and modes. For example, the app should show the number of trips. A great challenge is to see how many consecutive jumps you can do before a trip. Those personal records should be displayed in the app. I would love to try to break my personal records and then share that data with my jump rope community.
In the future, a dedicated Yu-mn Jump Rope app should have a library of jump rope tutorial videos. Learning to jump rope is a skill. A simple-to-follow video series can help people move from beginner moves all the way to advanced moves. The great thing about jump rope is that there are so many moves to learn. An easy-to-access video library is just what this rope needs to build a community around the Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope.
Final thoughts
We all need to exercise. But why run when you can jump? It’s one of the most effective cardiovascular workouts you can do. Plus, if you jump long enough, you will get abs. Nothing builds core strength and stability more than a jump rope. Don’t do crunches, jump!
The Yu-mn Smart Jump rope is basically for anyone. It makes an excellent standalone jump rope. The handles are light and comfortable to hold in the hand. The rope is durable and long-lasting. It especially appeals to people who want to quantify their workouts and track their progress over time. If you’re ready to make serious changes to your health and fitness, give the Yu-mn Smart Jump Rope a try.
