References to games, dances and exercises with hoops can be found in the earliest records of human history. Native Americans used elaborate hoop dances to tell stories of life and transformation, and ancient Egyptian children used hoops fashioned from grape vines to twirl around their waists. Modern hula hooping, often simply called hooping, has a devoted following and can be an effective way to lose weight.
Weight Loss
To lose 1 lb. of fat you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you eat via physical activity, notes MayoClinic.com. Although it is difficult to calculate the exact number of calories you can lose with each hula hooping session, hooping offers aerobic exercise at multiple levels of difficulty. Vigorous aerobic activities not only burn more calories than passive exercises such as stretching, but also improve cardiovascular health and reduce blood pressure.
Toning
Another benefit of using a hula hoop to reach your weight-loss goals is toning. While some people want to lose weight for health reasons, others are motivated by losing that extra jiggle or trimming their waistline. A hula hoop can be used to exercise and tone every part of your body. Check out websites and groups dedicated to hooping for suggestions on the many ways to use your hoop. Hoopers dance while hooping, do cool tricks, use multiple hoops and twirl their hoops on every part of their bodies for a total body workout.
Making a Hoop
The larger, heavier hoops used for hooping are easier to use and control, and the additional weight of the hoop makes for better exercise. In addition, it is easy to make your own custom hoop with extra weight for a more vigorous workout. Poly irrigation tubing, a PVC pipe cutter and insert connectors, available at most hardware stores, are all you need to make your own hula hoop.
Additional Information
You may want to make several hula hoops in differing weights and diameters to develop a full-body exercise routine. Fill the poly tubing with sand for a heavier hula hoop. Make smaller, lightweight hoops for twirling on your arms and legs. Check your local area for hooping groups to find your fellow hoopers. Hula hoop dancing classes and meet-ups may be helpful in maintaining your weight-loss goals.
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