HULA HOOP FOR FITNESS

Hula Hooping Helps Burn Calories and Adds Variety to Your Workout!

Most of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s had hula hoops to play with; sometimes we even used them in P.E. class at school!  Little did we know back then that hula hooping was more than just fun. It is a great aerobic exercise that done right can help burn calories and strengthen the spine and torso muscles.

Hooping, done in conjunction with other cardio and strength exercises such as lifting weights, can spice up your workout routine and increase fitness.  President Obama says his wife, Michelle, is one of the best hula-hoopers he knows.  And some fitness clubs have started to schedule hula hooping into their group fitness classes.

What To Look For In A Hula Hoop

To start hula hooping, don’t run out to the toy store and pick up a hoop, or borrow one from your kids.  A child-sized hula hoop is too small for most adults.  It is important to choose a hoop that’s the right size for you.  According to the American Council on Exercise, when you stand with the hoop in front of you, it should reach between your chest and waist.  The bigger you are, the larger the hoop should be. 

Many people use weighted hula hoops for exercise which can be found at sporting goods stores.  Weighted hoops weigh about two pounds and rotate around the body more slowly, so they’re actually easier to use than a traditional hula hoop.  The lighter and smaller the hoop, the more energy it will take to keep it going.   So, if you use a weighted hoop, you should be able to hoop for longer periods of time. 

Hula hooping only works as an aerobic workout if you’re able to keep going for at least ten minutes at a time or longer.  If you hoop for 30 minutes, you can burn up to 300 calories!  But it’s okay to start with smaller increments of time when you’re getting used to your new hula hoop.

Hula Hooping 101

Even if you were the neighborhood hula-hoop queen when you were nine, getting back into the swing of hula hooping may take some practice.  There are several instructional hula-hooping DVDs on the market.  An excellent place to start is the Sports Hoop and Weighted Hula Hoop official website. The site also sells a variety of hula hoops.  But most people can teach themselves if they follow these basic moves:

• Place one foot in front of the other and hold the hula hoop against your back, just above your waist.  Keep both feet firmly planted on the ground.

• Start to push the hoop around your waist, rocking your hips from front to back, not from side to side.  If you try to move your hips in a circular motion, which is what most people do, it will be much harder.  Instead, keep moving in a gentle rocking motion.

• If you get tired of hooping in one direction, give the other side a try.  You’ll probably find that it’s easier to hoop on one side than the other.

Once you get the hang of hooping, you can use the hula hoop to work other muscle groups. Try placing the hoop on your extended arm and roll the hoop around in a circular motion.  Or lie on your back and place the hoop around one leg and spin the hoop.  You can also work your hips by placing the hula hoop on your hips rather than your waist.

No matter how you use your hula hoop, if you keep at it, you’ll find that hooping is a fun, low-impact way to burn calories and incorporate a little fun into your workout.   You’ll feel like a kid again, and if you have children of your own, you can shock and delight them with your hula hooping expertise!

Read More Fitness Articles

SEE RELATED ARTICLES

• Jump Rope for Fitness

Article Written By: Julie Mitchell; Julie is an accomplished writer from San Francisco who loves ballet, yoga, walking, cooking and reading. Her experience as a wife and mother of two lend to her articles and blogs for DivaVillage.com and VillageMAMA.com in the areas of wellness, fitness, beauty, parenting and food.