Jump Rope, and Exercise Balls for Abs

[Forcegx7]

Hello everybody! Just need a concrete tip on what to buy.
I'm about 5' 8 inches tall and don't want to buy a jump rope that's too long or too short, so what size jump rope should I get?
Also as far as the inflatable exercise balls to do ab exercises, how do I figure out what is the best size for me?

[Aoife]

iirc, a good length rope is one where if you stand on it and pull the rope up your sides, should end somewhere at the armpit or somewhat past.

Physioballs often have sizes on them for different heights. You'd prolly be fine with a 65cm ball. It tends to be the one that fits most people. Even I do ok on it most of the time at 5'3" and one shouldn't really need to go up to a 75cm until about the 6' mark.

[Forcegx7]

I'm going to be ordering the jump rope online, so do you know how many inches that would be for a 5' 8 inch tall guy?

[Phaedrus49er]

Kinda depends on your stature. There's no cookie-cutter method. Just find a tape measure. I think the ones in crafts are $0.50-1.00 at Wal-Mart.

[Lisa~]

Stability Ball Sizing Tips and Guidelines

• When seated on the top of a stability ball your knees should be even with your hips or slightly above.
• 45cm- used for people under 5'
• 55cm- used for people 5'1" to 5'7"
• 65cm-used for people 5'8" to 6'1"
• 75cm-used for people 6'2" and over
• Larger, softer balls are great for de-conditioned, overweight, or mature populations.
• The firmer the ball the more difficult the exercises are to perform; the softer the ball the easier exercises are to perform.

[Lisa~]

Ross Enamait is the go-to guy for jump rope training. He's got a couple of articles about rope training and the first one addresses choosing your rope and rope length.

Jump Rope Training - Part I

Jump Rope Training - Part II

[fitdave]

You can also consider doing exercises with resistance bands. I've found them to be more effective then ab crunches for working the abs.