It’s no secret that when it comes to fitness, trends are abundant and quick-moving. When battle ropes first made their way onto the scene, many of us thought that it would just be another one.
However, after seeing how fun, straightforward, and effective the ropes really are, athletes worldwide realized that this piece of gear is absolutely a mainstay.
Many people wonder if you can get the most out of a workout if you don't own battle ropes. They absolutely make a difference, so if you don't own any, we're here to show you how to make DIY battle ropes yourself!
What Can Substitute a Battle Rope?
Proper battle ropes certainly offer a certain amount of appeal, as they're literally made for this purpose. However, there are various things that you can find lying around the house that make great alternatives. Let's take a look at the most common and most popular battle rope replacements and where you can find them.
- 1Utility Rope
Not all ropes are made the same. However, there are many synthetic and natural fiber ropes that can work well. You can find just about any weight out there, perfect for suiting your individual needs. If you want to make a heavier or thicker rope, you can simply braid more strands together until you have what you're looking for. To make the rope shorter, simply tie knots in it until it reaches the proper length. - 2Garden Hose
These also vary in thickness, though generally speaking, the more expensive and more durable hoses will be heavier. This is because the materials used to make the hose will be higher-quality and all-around more rugged. - 3Fire Hose
No, you may not be able to find one of these at your local garden store or utility store, but you can often call up your local fire department and ask for one! Make sure you're asking for a delivery hose, which is more heavy-duty and lands anywhere from 3-6 inches in diameter. These are going to last throughout even the most strenuous workouts! - 4Chain
This is certainly going to make your workout setup stand out from the rest of the pack, as there's a pretty small chance anyone else you know has a battle chain! However, these are more dangerous to be throwing around, and much more challenging. You can find these at many junkyards.
Things You’ll Need for DIY Battle Ropes
Now that you know what you can use, you need to know how to make DIY battle ropes. The list may look a bit like what you’ll need to go into battle, but trust us when we say it’s actually a lot more fun and less intimidating once you get started.
The Rope
Your “rope” is going to be any of the aforementioned items (hose, chain, etc.). If you have various thinner ropes, you can braid them together. The ideal diameter for the majority of users is about 1.5 to 2 inches, though the weight is going to make more of a difference than the thickness.
If you're a beginner, we recommend starting out at 25 pounds. If you're more advanced and need more weight to move around, move up to around 55 pounds.
Length is important, as you're probably likely to have some space limitations. You want your rope to be anywhere from 15 to 60 feet long. Remember, it shouldn't be so long that there's no resistance on the other side if you lean back.
Duct Tape
You'll use this at the ends of the rope as your "handles." Electrical tape also works well, as it’s soft enough against the skin without chafing and creating blisters.
Anchor
You don’t really have to have an anchor, though, in our experience, it's more efficient and more user-friendly overall. If you don't have an option, you can just loop it around something big and sturdy. For example, if you have a big tree in your yard, that would work great.
Tape Measure
This is needed so you can mark the length of your rope before you cut it.
Hacksaw
You'll use this to cut through your "rope." Make sure your hacksaw is sharp, however, as dull ones are harder to use and increase the risk of you cutting yourself. A sharp hacksaw will cut through even the toughest fire hoses.
However, if you're using a garden hose, you can use something less industrial, like a PVC cutter. For thinner ropes, even a sharp, serrated knife will do.
Butane Torch
This may sound a bit extra, but you can also opt for your average lighter. You just need the flame to melt any frayed ends after you cut it.
If you’re using a garden hose, you can just skip this. However, with fire hoses, they do use fabric, so you’ll still need the fire to melt and create a smooth finish.
Sand or Water
This is only necessary if you find that your rope is still too light after preparing it. This also doesn't work with actual rope – you need a hollow hose in order to fill it with water or sand.
How to Make Your Own DIY Battle Ropes (Easy Steps)
1. Measure The Length of Rope
First, make sure you've taken your tape measure and measured out the right length for your rope. Once you've done so, stretch it out completely and mark where you'll cut.
2. Cut Your Rope
Cut your rope, focusing on keeping it neat and avoiding fraying if possible.
3. Melt Any Frayed Ends
If you have frayed ends, melt them with your torch, lighter, or candle. While frays may look more rugged, they can advance and even cause a rope to unravel over time.
4. Wrap The Ends Of your Rope With Tape
Grab your tape and wrap multiple layers around the ends of your rope until they’re about 8 inches long down the rope. If that is still a bit too hard for you, you can add a bit of thin foam. Just wrap it around the ends completely, and cover it with the tape.
5. Weigh Your Rope
If your rope is too light (and happens to be hollow), you can fill it with sand or water. For every 25 feet of garden hose, you’ll want about 8 pounds of sand. This will maximize efficiency and yield you quicker results.
6. Anchor Your Rope
Anchor your rope by looping it around a sturdy, heavy object. If you don’t have something like that available, you can also attach a large carabiner to a hook in your wall. A hose clamp is also pretty handy for anchoring a rope.
Do I Need to Anchor My Battle Ropes at Home?
By now, you may be wondering, “Can I anchor DIY battle ropes?”. The answer is “yes”!
Consider the location
The first step to anchor battle ropes is figuring out where you’ll be using them. Garages and basements are the most popular, as most home gyms.
They’re usually pretty spacious, free of furniture, and are typically pretty light on foot traffic. Perhaps you have an outdoor patio area that works better for you; it all comes down to your individual space and layout.
Get your battle rope battle ready
Once you have your rope threaded through or around its anchor, you’ll also need the space surrounding it to be clear. For example, if your rope is 30 feet long, you’ll need at least 15 feet of space to use them.
Make sure they’re anchored securely
You really don't want them to come loose while you're using them. You could lose your balance or even injure yourself. If you have a heavy kettlebell, they work well as an anchor! Simply thread the rope through the handle and make sure each side of the rope is equal in length.
If you feel the kettlebell isn't quite heavy enough on its own, you can even add some bags of sand on top of it. If you have a squat rack, you can also loop your rope around one of the legs, and that works well, too.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Do battle ropes build muscle?
They absolutely can! While they are great for building cardio capacity, they do offer enough resistance to help build muscle.
Can you use battle ropes around a pole?
You sure can. However, if you’re using a pole, we recommend actually tying the rope around it to keep it from slipping around.
Is a 30 ft battle rope a good size?
If you’re tight on space, that’s perfectly fine. However, if you have the extra room, we recommend 40 or 50 feet.
How often should I use battle ropes per week?
Start out with a couple of times a week if you're a newbie. Three times per week is usually a good balance, without leaving you burnt out.
Conclusion
Now that you’re an expert in battle rope making, have you decided how yours are going to come out? We hope that our guide has helped you out and that you feel confident in making yours. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you again soon!
Last Updated on December 17, 2022
