Does Jumping Rope & Hula Hooping Get Rid Of Stomach Fat?

As you get older, your metabolism slows and your distribution of fat might change. Gaining weight is a natural consequence of a slower metabolism, and for some people, the extra weight might accumulate primarily around the midsection. Losing body fat, no matter where it is, means losing weight, which means burning more calories than you consume. A heart-healthy diet, portion control and regular exercise are the keys to losing stomach fat.

Stomach Fat

Fat that accumulates around your stomach increases your risk of developing serious chronic health conditions such as gall bladder problems, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and some kinds of cancer. Unlike fat around the hips and thighs, abdominal fat cells are active, producing hormones and other chemicals that have a negative impact on your overall health. If you want to reduce stomach fat, you might perform exercises that specifically target the abdomen, but aerobic exercise, including jumping rope or hula hooping, is more effective.

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise, also known as cardiovascular exercise, moves your large muscle groups, raises your heart rate and causes you to break a sweat, according to the Texas Heart Institute. Strive to get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. This is the minimum recommendation for healthy adults under 65 years of age, so you might need to increase this to 300 minutes a week to effectively lose weight and stomach fat. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests exercising in 10-minute bouts throughout the day, as well as mixing up physical activities, which can include walking, running, hula hooping and skipping rope.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope is a high-impact form of aerobic exercise that is a beneficial part of your routine. Skipping rope improves hand-eye coordination, helps keep your heart healthy and can help you lose weight and get rid of stomach fat. According to MayoClinic.com, a 160 lb. person can burn 730 calories by jumping rope for an hour, and someone who weighs 200 lbs. can burn 900 calories in the same time. The amount of calories you burn will depend on your weight and the intensity of your workout.

Hula Hooping

Hula hooping is a fun aerobic activity that can help you tone your abdominal muscles and reduce belly fat, particularly if you are able to do it for more than 10 minutes at a time. Smaller hula hoops require more energy to keep the hoop going, and larger, weighted hoops take longer to go around, which means you can hoop for longer periods. Hooping is low impact and burns approximately 210 calories per 30 minutes, according to the American Council on Exercise. As with jumping rope, the number of calories you burn can vary.