title really says it all. what i mean here is this: is the rope needed to get all the benefits of jumping or can just continuously jumping and mimicing having the rope get the same workout?
The rope stops you cheating yourself. i.e. it makes sure you jump and not just 'bounce' barely off the ground. Other wise the rope does very little... unless its quite chunky, then its kinda wrist strengthening.
if you have a really light rope (i.e. an actual rope, not plastic) it's a harder workout.. I find it works the chest as well.. with the cheap plastic ones, it's all wrist..
IMHO, jumping ropes with the rope also strengthen your wrists as well. In addition, it also improve your body coordination. So it is better to use ropes.
