HEALTH

Hula hooping: The fun retro craze you need to try

4 April, 2022 . 0

It is a fitness craze that has celebrities in a spin and is fast winning fans as a serious workout. Here’s why hoops are enjoying a resurgence beyond the playground.

For most of us, the last time we picked up a hula hoop we were probably in primary school.

But it turns out this basic kid’s toy has some core-trembling, waistline-busting benefits.

A hula hooping workout “can improve flexibility and balance while strengthening the back, abdominal, arm and leg muscles”, according to one study.

And, it’s a fitness craze on the rise with celebrities including Zooey Deschanel and Liv Tyler swearing by their hula hoops.

“It is a really fun fitness activity to do and there has been growing interest in the past 10 years,” Melbourne’s Hoops, Thighs and Buttocks teacher Jane Fondle says.

So, regardless of whether you are 10, 20 or 70 years old, here’s why you should give hula hooping a whirl.

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Hula hooping is a serious workout

In addition to being a great workout, researchers also concluded hula hooping is an excellent activity for weight loss – burning 165 calories during a 30-minute hooping session for women.

“Hula hooping is a playful form of fitness,” Hoop Empire teacher Bunny Hoop Star says.

“People are bored with gyms and conventional workouts.

“They want to exercise in a way that is light-hearted and stress-free.

“Hula hooping is a no-brainer – it makes you smile, laugh and reminds you of the carefree days of childhood.”

Bunny recommends people aim to hula at least three times a week for five to 20 minutes to see results.

While it can take some time to get the hang of, Jane encourages people to persist.

“Once you’ve got a few tricks or when you can simply hold it on your waist while standing still, you’ll find you can then start to add in a bit of dance and really have fun with it,” she says.

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Which hoop is right for you?

If your kids have one, it’s fine to pick it up and have a crack.

But SpinJoy teacher Caitlyn Woods says if you’re planning on hula hooping regularly you need good gear.

“Make sure you’re getting one that’s suited to your body as it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing,” Caitlyn says.

“As a general rule of thumb, the hoop should be roughly belly button height, but that’s going to be different for everyone.

“It can be helpful to go up in hoop size if you carry more weight around the middle.”

Speaking to a hula-hoop maker is advised as adults will need a slightly heavier hoop than kids, to help it flow better, but if you’re just starting out Caitlyn warns against getting a hoop heavier than 500g.

“There is a difference between a heavier hoop and the weighted hula hoops,” she says.

“Some weighted hoops have metal inside them and can be quite heavy – up to 1kg – and these are not good for your back and internal organs.”