A jump rope exercise device includes a handle and a flexible, elongated lash having a first end associated with the handle and a second end. A ball-and-socket assembly interconnects the first end of the lash and the handle in order to provide rotary movement of the lash relative to the handle in all directions. The handle, lash and ball-and-socket assembly form one half of a pair of identical jump rope exercise assemblies which jointly comprise the jump rope exercise device. Alternatively, a jump rope exercise device includes a handle defining an inner cavity and a flexible, elongated lash having a first end at partially disposed within the inner cavity and a second end. A spring disposed within the inner cavity is configured to interconnect the handle and the lash and resist movement of the lash out of the inner cavity.