If you think of jumping rope as a schoolyard pastime, take a good look at the toned physique of Sports Illustrated model and NBA style correspondent Damaris Lewis and reconsider skipping (or slaloming) down memory lane. Before she became the muse to Prince, taught fellow catwalker Kate Upton how to do the Dougie, and interviewed the kings of basketball, this born-and-bred Brooklynite was doing double Dutch at the Boys & Girls Club. “Jumping rope is an amazing workout because you’re working every part of your body,” Lewis explained. “Your legs, arms, and core all have to be engaged at the same time.” After juggling two ropes since the age of 6, mastering one at high speed—and incorporating tricks like jumping jacks—was a cinch for the super, who pulls out her Nike Speed Rope for 30 minutes every other day. “It has good weight to it but isn’t too heavy, which makes it great to travel with,” she said. (In other words, no excuses.) As for whom Lewis would like to go head-to-head with in a heated round of double Dutch: LeBron James, of course. “He’s one of the best of our time on the court, but I haven’t seen him in a double Dutch game!” she said, laughing. James can definitely dunk, but Lewis no doubt knows how to jump. Here, four of her must-try moves.
Criss-Cross: Cross one foot over the other while swinging the jump rope.
High Knees: Lift your knees up toward your chest when skipping over the rope.
Cross: Get your arms in on the action by crossing your hands as you jump rope.
Slalom: With your feet side by side, angle your hips to the left and right—alternating sides each time you jump.
Once you’ve become proficient in each exercise, combine all four as you skip rope and increase the speed. “I never do anything in succession more than once,” noted Lewis.
—Amber Kallor, Style.com
