While hula hooping gained widespread popularity in the United States from the Wham-O creation in the 1950's, the activity actually dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Today, you can find inexpensive, colorful hula hoops in just about any store that sells toys. More expensive, weighted hoops are also sold as a fitness accessory for exercise enthusiasts to include in their workout routine. Hula hooping is something that nearly anyone of any fitness level can do. Hula hooping is an affordable way to reap an abundance of benefits.
Aerobic Activity
Hula hooping is a great form of aerobic exercise to include in a cardio workout. The Mayo Clinic states that just 10 minutes is long enough to benefit from the aerobic activity of hula hooping. Smaller, lightweight hoops are best to use for aerobic exercise because they require more energy to keep the hoop rotating.
Tones Muscles
Because your muscles must be in constant motion to keep the hoop moving, hula hooping is an easy way to tone and strengthen the muscles in the abdomen, hips and legs. Spinning a hula hoop on the arm tones the arm muscles. Larger, weighted hula hoops are available with more resistance to strengthen muscles faster.
Builds Coordination
In order to keep a hula hoop moving, you must move in a steady rhythm with good timing. Using a hula hoop may seem challenging at first, but the more you do it the easier it becomes as your coordination increases. Advanced hula hoop users can try using multiple hoops to develop an ever higher level of coordination.
Fun Activity
One of the best benefits of hula hooping is that it is just plain fun. Using a hula hoop is a great way for adults to reconnect with their inner child and play. You can hoop to music or with others to make it even more enjoyable. Hula hoop contests and classes are also available to show off your hooping skills and meet others who enjoy the activity.
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