Our Oganization

Black Girls Jump is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the art of double dutch jump rope and utilizing jump rope as a fun form of fitness for women and girls.

What We Believe

Double Dutch jump rope offers an empowering way to address health disparities amongst ourselves.

For many women, double dutch jump rope elicits fond memories. Jump rope games were major childhood activities, often passed down inter-generationally. We made friends playing rope, made enemies playing rope, created and sang songs, and contributed to a unique art form and competitive sport.

As of 2021, African American women had the lowest rate of physical activity and highest rate of obesity in the U.S. Considering unique barriers to physical activity faced by African American women and girls, Black Girls Jump uses a community driven approach to health improvement. We believe it is essential that culturally relevant, accessible physical activity is available to African American women and girls.

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We believe double dutch jump rope offers an opportunity to use a culturally preferred physical activity to remedy high levels of physical inactivity and related chronic disease disparities among African Americans.

With African American girls being less likely to engage in physical activity, our youth programs provide a forum for girls to participate in sports. Studies show girls who play sports have higher levels of confidence, body esteem, and lower levels of depression. In addition, female athletes were significantly less likely to use drugs, less likely to become pregnant in elementary and high school, and less likely to drop out of school. Our youth programs focus on building leadership skills, teamwork skills, perseverance, and a sense of achievement.

Since 2014, we have served communities and worked to enhance the health and well-being of our people.

Health

The benefits of jumping ropes

Jumping rope is an extraordinary exercise. It’s one the most effective, fat burning workouts you can do. And it’s fun too.

Jumping rope is a great cardio exercise for your heart. It also helps your brain, strengthens your upper and lower body, and burns a lot of calories in a a short time. It’s inexpensive and the effort it takes to jump rope for 10 minutes is the equivalent of running a mile in eight minutes. 

Jumping rope can burn up to 700 calories per hour, with about 0.1 calories consumed per jump.

According to research by the Jump Rope Institute, jumping rope for 10 minutes a day is equivalent to:

–30 minutes of jogging
-720 yards of swimming
-2 sets of tennis singles

Your Heart

Jumping rope increases your cardiovascular fitness.

  • It improves your heart, arteries and veins
  • Increases blood and oxygen to and from the heart.
  • Greater ability to perform your daily tasks, but you will become less breathless during exercise as well.
Lower Body

Jumping rope also helps bone strength, coordination and overall endurance.

  • All leg muscles are worked out when you jump rope.
  • Toned calves, hamstrings and thighs, ladies.
  • It also helps to engage the ab muscles (try one-leg popups for that six-pack).
Upper Body Muscles

Jumping rope also helps Iin building muscles

  • When you swing the rope you’re working your arms, shoulders, back and chest muscles. So keep turning!
  • For an extra upper body workout, skip with your own rope while you wait for your turn.
  • Jump rope reduces incidence of osteoporsis