Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Whole Lot of Hoopla!

I just ordered a weighted hoop, like the old fashioned hula hoop only heavier. About six months ago I bought a kid's hoop but couldn't swing it around my body without it immediately falling to the ground. It wasn't like riding a bicycle because I used to be pretty good at swiveling my hips but now it seems I'm a total disaster!

So after studying up I learned that the children's toy is not what we want anyway. A larger hoop with some heft is easier to spin and more effective. The idea was so appealing that I found out what to look for in a hoop and wound up ordering a beginner's hoop. If I'm not a total disaster, I'll spring for the next level. I even found a hooping event just a couple of miles away which I hope to attend in August, if I get the knack, that is.





So why would a grown-up want a hula hoop anyway? I'll share with you what I've learned. Livestrong.com says weighted hoops are effective at building core strength because you must tighten your ab muscles to counteract the weight of the hoop and the act of swiveling your hips helps with flexibility. The exercise can help reduce your waist and build a stronger core. Easy (I hope) and fun, how can I go wrong? So I'll take my waist measurements and then hula to my heart's content. Perhaps my waistline will reap the benefits.

A hoop between 32 and 45 inches seems to be ideal (depending upon your size) and weighing anywhere between one to 4 pounds. There were some warnings about the heavier hoops causing bruises so I opted for one that is 42" and 1.5 pounds, recommended for beginners. I've seen them priced anywhere from $19.99 up to $150. Mine was on sale for 28.50 - a small investment for exercise equipment and just think of all the fun I'll have.

I'll let you know how it goes... Have any of you tried hooping?


10 comments:

Karen@WaistingTime said...

I can't wait to see what you think. I had actually wondered about buying a kid's one for the whole whittling of the waist thing. I'm not sure we see them around anymore.

Patsy said...

Looking forward to your review! If I lived on the ground floor (or had a VERY secluded garden!) I'd buy a skipping rope to use...

Jules - Big Girl Bombshell said...

The only "hooping" I have been doing is on the Wii! It is just plain fun. Maybe the next step is one of these!

FOODalogue said...

Good luck! I'll be interested to learn if you have better luck keeping it in the air with the weighted hoop. I would think it would be more difficult.

Genie @ Diet of 51 said...

I could really hoop it up as a kid. Wonder if I still could? This post has opened up a possibility..... Thanks!

Big Clyde said...

I have never been able to do it, but guys aren't asked to do it much. Please let us know how it goes.

Jaxx said...

Oh how cool will see how you go and may look at getting one, didn't realise there were different sorts, I tried with the children's one and was useless lol.... but now may look into it more :-)

Traveliztera said...

I've tried hooping but that was when I was still in highschool! Haha! I'll be waiting for your review!!! :D

Linda Pressman said...

I have many fun memories of hula hooping. I think this one might be more serious than the ones I played with in my childhood! Right now I'm kind of into my gigantic exercise ball again. Ho hum.

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