Hey Flowmies! My name is Slush, founder of Slushropes!
In case you're new, Welcome Home FLOWMIE! With the new year in full swing, I can't believe that we're in 2025! For most of us, one of the things on our New Year's resolution falls under the category of health. If you picked up a flow rope or was gifted one during the holidays, I've created an easy to read (or watch) article/video for you.
If your goal this year is to lose weight, have better mobility, or overall just move MORE throughout the week: Rope Flow is THE ANSWER!
Here are the top 8 things you need to know!
- "Have Fun. Embrace The Newness." - Congratulations, you have now entered into what I call the "honeymoon" phase where everything is new, exciting, and fresh! Because everything is new, you will find yourself unlocking so many cool patterns, movements, and tricks! Enjoy this. BUT, my advice is to also give yourself some grace. As someone who's taught rope flow for over 5 years, I do find that many people quit within minutes "because they can't get the move". As a reminder, it won't look perfect. Nothing happens overnight.
- "Rope Flow Is Used For Mobility Training, Perhaps The BEST type." - Rope flow is an incredible movement practice that everyone can benefit from. Unlike jump rope, the need to jump the rope is removed making it so accessible for all ages! Because it was systemized around "Rotational Movement Training", the practice results into having your joints moving better (aka mobility). This touches everything that make up the vessel that carries your beautiful soul! People who practice rope flow, no matter how serious or playful, how young or old, benefit from having better mobility which results in moving throughout the day with EASE! So next time someone asks you what it does for you, let them know that it's for your mobility (and soul)!
- "Your Flow Rope Can Also Be Used For Cardio Training" - Perhaps this might be the least popular topic talked about. But your flow rope has no ceilings, as long as you use your imagination. Though the practice is based on mobility training, you can also apply it for cardio purposes. It's actually a lot simpler than you think. First, you need to decide on (1) simple pattern and then follow thru by increasing its intensity. Something that sounds as simple as an overhand swing done at a fast tempo for 1 minute can get you sweating in no time. If you want to get creative, you can even use it by adding it into your normal cardio routine, of course in a safe manner. Secondly, you can use your flow rope as a jump rope. This eliminates having to buy another jump rope as well. Because flow ropes are thicker than jump ropes using it for this purpose actually gives you a weighted jump rope experience!
- "The Basic Patterns are MORE THAN ENOUGH." - As someone who specializes in rope flow tricking, many people desire to be able to do releases and tricks like I do more than the basic patterns. Believe me when I say that tricking is insanely fun, but rather pointless a la carte. The basic patterns hold the key and will build your vocabulary. If you're practicing rope flow to have better mobility, the tricks does nothing for you. And that is just the truth. However, spending time with the basics will catapult your mobility in ways other tools can't. So, don't sleep on it! Spend time on it.
- "There is no Right or Wrong" - ...as long as it results into YOU moving MORE. The only exception here is if you're a pro athlete training with specific intentions. But the good news is, most people aren't pro athletes. In fact, practicing rope flow playfully or seriously results into the same thing. Your joints don't know any better (or different). And I think, that's so special! So, if you're learning right now don't get too caught up in perfection. That will come within time, reps, and practice.
- "Flow Ropes Can be Used For Stretching" - ...and that doesn't require any skill. Stretching with flow ropes is highly slept on! I feel that many overlook this, just as using it as a weighted jump rope. Grab your rope, hold it in half, and stretch your body as you please. You'd be surprised how many ways you can use your rope to stretch, and even hang (if you have a squat rack)!
- "Flow Rope Gear Obsession is a REAL THING" - If you are catching yourself wanting to get another rope, and then another rope... don't worry you're not alone. The story begins for you the same way it does for everyone else. It always STARTS with one rope. And then one day, you wake up and your garage or trunk is full of ropes. My advice for you is to spend some time with your rope first and on tip #8, I'll tell you why.
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"Your First Flow Rope Probably Won't Be Your Last" - Though I am very proud of giving free rope recommendations to flowmies worldwide, I do believe that at the end of the day YOU need to EXPERIENCE at least 1 flow rope for you to have your OWN opinion. It doesn't matter if you make your own flow rope, or if you buy one. You need to at least experience it. Your experience ultimately shapes YOUR opinion. One that is yours, and not echoed by another. Regardless of what anyone say, I say this confidently: The perfect rope...the best rope... is the one that you it is. Flow rope gear is subjective which is why spending some time with your first flow rope before jumping the gun to buy another is also helpful in HELPING yourself figure out what you'd like to see more of and less of on your next rope!
If you have any questions or need a recommendation find a rope, click the chat bubble at the bottom right of your screen! This sends an email directly to me :)
Happy New Years flowmie!
-Slush