What do you do for exercise? I take walks. I also do a bunch of physical therapy exercises I’ve collected over the years for preventing a repeat of various aches and pains.
The kind of exercise in today’s story sounds too energetic for me, but I see that it could be exhilarating. Maybe if I had been doing it since our days in nursery school with the friend who sent me the story, I could handle it today.
The exercise is jumprope. Specifically, Double Dutch.
Shaunice Ajiwe at Philadelphia wrote that the magazine’s 2022 “Best Pastime winner, 40+ Double Dutch Club, started from a 2016 gathering of friends in Chicago and is now a nationwide women’s fitness movement. Sharon Hatcher and Iesha Jackson steer the Philly chapter, where a quick visit to observe their footwork turned into much more.
6:00 p.m.
“Earth, Wind & Fire echoes down the halls of a West Oak Lane community center. Inside a multi-purpose room, seven women stand in bright red t-shirts, hula-hooping and chatting about their plans for the summer: graduations, prom send-offs, cookouts, new babies. In the middle of the room, a trio gets to the main event. Two begin turning the ropes while the third dives into the fray, alternating feet at breakneck speed. To a layman, it’s perfect. To these experts, it’s anything but. They stop and ask for a different set of ropes. Hatcher hands them a lighter woven set, and feet start to fly again.
6:08 p.m.
“ ‘It started off with two friends who wanted to do something that was just for them to have fun,’ Hatcher says. ‘They were in their heads about different things — divorces, kids growing up, all that. They thought back to how they jumped rope when they were kids and how much fun they had.’ From that original duo, the club has amassed more than 30,000 members across the country.
6:20 p.m.
“Hatcher took to double Dutch at age five, she says. Many women join the club without having jumped rope in decades; just like riding a bike, they return to the childhood pastime with ease.
6:30 p.m.
“Fun, fitness and fellowship, Hatcher says, is the name of their game. They don’t concern themselves with competition, just with passing down skills, traditions and memories. …
6:45 p.m.
“When I thank Hatcher for her time and turn to leave, she stops me: ‘Oh no, now we’re gonna teach you.’ Prince’s ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’ is playing. Each time I trip, they offer another tip: Get in when the rope closest to you is raised. Don’t jump in; run in. Don’t be scared. When I get the hang of it, they speed up and have me turn in a circle. When I finish the revolution, they cheer.”
Pretty cute, huh?
There’s more. Matteo Iadonisi interviewed Jackson for ABC television.
” ‘I was scrolling on Facebook one day, you know, just looking for something to do,’ said Iesha Jackson, who is now 44 years old. ‘And I ran across, you know, the 40+ Double Dutch page.’
“The 40+ Double Dutch Club was founded in 2016 in Chicago as a means for women over a certain age to come together, work out, and relive childhood memories. It spread across the country, reaching Philadelphia in 2018 thanks to Jackson. Locally, there are also chapters in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and South Jersey.
” ‘When I started the group, I was actually going through something really depressing,’ said Jackson, referring to a breakup. ‘And just coming and meeting a bunch of the sisters really just improved my mental health, my physical health, so, it’s just been a complete turnaround for me.’
“What started with about five women in Philadelphia has grown to include dozens, including those who cannot physically jump rope. Other activities such as hop scotch and line dancing keep everyone engaged.
“But the group is also a safe space for prayer, conversation, and camaraderie among women who can mentor and be mentored by one another.
” ‘We all have a lot of things going on with family and work and all of that, and this is a time for us to come together,’ said Philadelphia co-captain Sharon Hatcher, ‘And just have a good time and enjoy some of the things that we did as children.’ “
From the club website: “0+ Double Dutch Club exists to empower women in mental health and physical fitness, all while inspiring them in friendship. fitness, fun, and fellowship. …
” ‘No Sister Left Behind’: Financial assistance for official members in an effort to support our sisters who are experiencing emotional, spiritual and/or financial challenges and showing not only through our words but also our actions that we are our sisters’ keepers.
“We envision communities where women can live out their purpose as they walk in mental and physical health, encouraging and empowering themselves and other women over 40 while inspiring generations to come. “
More at ABC, here, and at Philadelphia magazine, here.
Hat tip: Hannah.
Photo: Jeff Fusco.
40+ Double Dutch Club at Philadelphia’s Simons Community Recreation Center.
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