Hula Hooping

For any women (or men) out there:  Has anyone every had success with hula hoop exercise?  I've been doing some research on hula hooping and it seems to be a growing exercise industry.

I just purchased a 3-lb hula hoop (from ebay) and it's suppossed bring results if I do it just 10 minutes a day for two weeks.  It's so heavy and the radius is so HUGE that I think it'll actually work.  If not weight loss, it'll be a great core work out once I get the hang of it.  

Is your friend over 50 like me?  How many pounds does she want to lose?  Does she do other forms of exercise?

Hey all! I've started hooping and it's fantastic exercise! Check out my journal entry, if you'd like ... and here are some valuable hooping links:

How to hoop! These sisters are co-owners of a hoop dancing, fire dancing performance company and they give some very valuable basics for free in a multitude of short vids on YouTube.

Hoopnotica - offers classes all over the place and they have a great hooping video on their site.

Hooping.org Magazine - anything and everything hooping ... forums, articles, links, etc.

How to make your own hoops ... Super easy! The initial investment cost me around $75, but if you consider that adult-sized hoops (you cannot hoop or hoopdance with kid's hoops) cost about $25 (eBay) to $70, this isn't bad. I was able to make 9 hoops, which brings my total to $8.33 per hoop and the next batch will cost even less!

The Hooping group on Tribe.net ... a fantastic community with more info on hooping than you can shake a ... HOOP at!

 

Hi, I purchased a hula hoos from storts-hoop.com and have been using it for almost two weeks. Its a 3 pound hoop and i can already see the difference. My only problem are "love handles" and little bit on the belly...but my "love handles" are getting smaller. I have started off at 3 minutes per day but realized that I can go loner. So by 3rd day i was doing 10 minutes and got one little bruise. But now I am not bruising and I do 10 to 15 minutes and then take a break then i do another 10 to 15 min. Can't wait to see end results

Awesome, Maya84! My hoops are regular weight (I made them), but I have one that I'm going to add weight to by putting either sand or water inside. I can do a regular hoop for 60 minutes in one session (keeping it constant for about 10 minutes) - shakin' my booty to my mp3 player, practicing going in different directions, etc. The first few days I did it, I was SO sore! I really work up a sweat when I hoop, and can't wait to take one or two classes to start to learn tricks. Happy hooping!

But will it work for those of us over 50?

Kwerel, yes this will work for people over 50 too. Two ladies that work with me ordered the same hop I have and one of them is really trying and she is up to 2 minutes without dropping it. I know it doesnt sound like much but for her it is since she doesnt like to workout and she never does. Another lady gave up the first day she tried it. But if you keep trying you will be able to do it and it will help. I will keep you posted on our results.

Tattooed _kitty great job. I have heard that you can make your own weighted hoop after I already got mine  Have you seen any results since you have started hooping? Keep us posted on you results...

Thank you so much!!

Well, I just started hooping regularly at the beginning of last week, so Monday (the 22nd) will be 2 weeks. Now, I'm also strength training, which includes planks and side crunches (so far), which I started (again) at about the same time. I think that I'm starting to see a tiny bit of improvement, but only time will tell. I will say this - 45-60 minutes of hooping gets me sweating (not like running, but I do get pretty sweaty) and I'm sore in my ab, side, "love handle", and low back muscles the next day. Yes, I can now keep it going without dropping it for 10 minutes, but I do drop the hoop more frequently sometimes, or stop for a second sometimes to change direction, practice a trick, grab a second hoop, etc. I imagine the longer one can keep it going at a time, as well as moving as vigorously as you can, would up the calories you burn. And for anyone who is interested, the research I've done online says that someone my weight (180) can burn 300 calories in an hour - not too shabby!

I purchased a hoop about 3 weeks ago. Wasn't sure if it would work; but I have heard so much about it and I figured it couldn't hurt to try something new. I was very sore at first and bruised quite a bit. After a week, I was able to keep it up for more than a minute. Not bad for a first timer! Anyway, along with my regular exercise routine, I have found it to be quite effective. I lost an inch and a half in less than 2 weeks but I used it 2 to 3 times a day for as long as long as I could keep going. Probably working out a total of 20 minutes each time. I can keep my heart rate up with no problem and I sweat like crazy. I will take measurements again in 2 weeks and I am hoping to see a drop.

Yes! I LOVE HULA HOOPING! I actually have a blog post about it.

It's the only exercise for me that is fun. It is so great because you can watch tv while doing it. I have my favorite shows that I love to watch and instead of sitting on my butt thinking about how I want to  be munching on something, I get up and I hula hoop during my shows. I even just pick it up when am bored or talking to my husband about something. It is a great way to burn of calories and work out those stomach muscles.

I mix it up though. I usually do an hour of exercise every day and I'll do something like running, jumping jacks, and hula hooping while I am watching my show. My stomach has gone down tons since I started hula hooping.

Good luck!