Hula hooping is a common activity everyone has likely done or seen people doing at a young age. You move your hips in a circular motion while keeping a thin, wide hoop circling your torso for as long as you can until it falls.
I have fond memories of hula hooping in elementary school. In fact, it was a vital part of my childhood. Whenever I look back on my childhood, one of the first memories that comes to mind is grabbing a hula hoop from a cart loaded with playground equipment and trying different techniques with it. I would stand still or walk around with it circling my torso, circle it around other parts of my body such as my arm or leg, or throw it vertically in a way that made it come back to me; which it never did. All these techniques made me think about the ways that a hula hoop can be used for exercise, since it prompts so much activity.
Although hula hooping may be seen as childish, it is inclusive to people of all ages for its plentiful fitness and health benefits. Hula hoops are also affordable and can be used anywhere at any time.
In comparison to the usual cardio or weight training, hula hooping is a different and more unique way to exercise. Consistently hula hooping brings benefits such as burning body fat, boosting cardiovascular fitness, challenging your core muscles, and improving your balance, according to a Healthline article titled “Want a Fun Workout? 8 Reasons to Give Hula Hooping a Try.”
Weighted hula hoops are a common exercise tool and could be greatly effective in helping with weight loss, especially if you circle the hoop near your waistline. They are heavier than the traditional hula hoop, weighing between one and four pounds, allowing for a more full-body workout, according to a WebMD article titled “What to Know About Hula Hoops for Exercise.”
Studies have shown that women using a weighted hula hoop lost about 3.4 centimeters from their waist and 1.4 centimeters from their hips in just six weeks, according to a MedicineNet article titled “Can Hula Hooping Slim Your Waist?” Hula hooping for 30 minutes can burn up to seven calories per minute, according to a WebMD article titled “What to Know About Hula Hoops for Exercise.”
There are also benefits for men, such as combining resistance (training for muscle strengthening) and aerobic movement, which are effective in boosting testosterone levels, according to an In2Hula article titled “5 Benefits of Hooping For Men.” Although hula hooping may be seen as a more feminine activity, the concept of exercise and weight loss is universal; in other words, everyone should be encouraged to try hula hooping, regardless of their gender.
For those wishing to try hula hooping, an article by the Women’s Best Fitness Team titled “Hula Hoop: Everything you need to know about hooping!” recommends larger hoops for beginners, as they have a larger diameter and require less hip movement. In the beginning, you should hula hoop for only a few minutes a day to avoid exhaustion. As the training progresses, however, you can do it for longer.
Aside from the fitness aspect, hula hooping is simply a fun activity that can be enjoyed by yourself or with others. Compared to running, walking, or lifting weights, the action of moving your hips in a circular motion to keep a hula hoop around your torso is a great way to not only get exercise, but also have fun.