I know this city is noise and you learn to sleep through a lot. But my upstairs neighbor has started doing what sounds like jump rope at 5:45 a.m. every weekday. It's not music, not a fight, not the usual stomp—it's this super even thud-thud-thud right over my bed. I banged on the ceiling once and it stopped for like 30 seconds, then came back. Do I leave a note? Try to catch her in the hall? Go to the super? I don't want to be the block snitch, but 5:45 is outrageous. I'm in a walk-up rental, not a co-op, and the super is basically a ghost.

Had a guy above me doing Insanity workouts at 6:15. I finally ran into him at the mailboxes and said 'bro, I hear every single tuck jump.' He got embarrassed and started going to the park. If you've already banged and she didn't get it, I'd skip the note and go straight to the super, especially in a rental. A note can spiral if the person takes it as an accusation. If you do note, keep it almost annoyingly polite. Also start a log because management will ask for dates and times.

I just moved into my first place and I honestly didn't know you could hear someone jumping rope like that. My upstairs neighbor walks around in what sounds like boots at midnight, and I've been too scared to say anything. Is it normal to talk to your neighbors here? I always thought people just tolerated noise or moved. Is a jump rope even allowed in a rental? Following because I might need to borrow whatever script you use.

Oh, that’s an impact noise problem, not an air-noise problem! In older walk-ups, the floor is often just hardwood over wood joists with no underlayment, so a jump rope isn't just heard—it actually shakes the ceiling assembly. That rapid bam-bam-bam is worse than a washing machine. You could ask her to use a thick gym mat, but even then the force transmits down. There are ropeless jump ropes too! They give the same workout without the rope slapping, but you still get the bounce if she's hopping. I'd honestly lead with the ropeless suggestion if she's into fitness and doesn't want to quit. Have you tried a fan or white noise at 5:45? It helps the annoyance, but not the exhaustion.

I'm with EastHarlem_E on this. You already banged on the ceiling; leaving a note isn't passive, it's a second warning. I'd knock on her door at like 6 a.m. when she's mid-jump, not later, so she can't pretend it isn't her. Just don't do the note typed in caps and taped in the lobby, that never works. If she tells you to kick rocks, then super. But in my building, they gave the upstairs neighbor a warning because the board got tired of calls. Since you're rental, the super may be ghost but management company has a number.

Check your lease. Many standard forms have a clause about not disturbing other tenants, and some specifically say no use of exercise equipment if it causes noise. If you're in a walk-up, the floor might not be thick enough for that. I once lived under a rowing machine at 5:30 and the guy had no idea I could hear the seat slide. I left a note under his door saying 'I can hear your rower like it's in my bedroom. Any chance you can move it later?' It worked for a while. But jump rope at 5:45 is a choice. You're not a snitch for wanting sleep.

OK update: I left a very polite note this morning. Basically said I live below, I hear rhythmic jumping at 5:45, I have to be up at 7, and if there's any way to shift it later or use a mat I'd be really grateful. Felt like a total coward taping it on the door, but I also didn't want to get into it with someone I've only seen once. If this doesn't work, I'll go the super route and update. Appreciate the ropeless jump rope idea, HudsonYardsHype, I never would have thought of that.

Let us know how it lands. I had a similar thing with a guy above me shadowboxing on a hardwood floor. A note did work, but only after I wrote 'I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just don't want to escalate.' People sometimes don't realize how much sound travels down and sideways. If she keeps it up, don't bother calling the super at 5:45 repeatedly—they'll stop answering. Instead send one email to management with dates, times, and a clip of the sound from your phone. They want a paper trail more than a dramatic call.

Thank you for posting this! I didn't know there were ropeless jump ropes, that's wild. I still haven't said anything to my midnight boot walker, but hearing that a polite note can work makes me feel less scared. Do you think I should wait for a weekend or is a note on a Tuesday fine? Also if anyone has a good white noise machine rec, I might get one for my new place.