Although hula hooping sounds like something only children should participate in, exercising with a hula hoop can help you lose weight. Along with using a hula hoop for aerobic activity, you should also increase your calorie intake to reach your weight loss goals. If you continue to eat a diet high in fat and calories, you are not likely to lose weight.
Expert Insight
According to a study performed at the University of Wisconsin and commissioned by the American Council on Exercise, hula hooping can be an effective way to burn calories. Energy expenditure was measured while using a hula hoop and it was determined that an average of 7 calories was burned per minute. For a half an hour hula hoop workout, 210 calories were burned. If you hula hoop for half an hour five days a week, you can burn approximately 1,050 calories weekly.
Size
Choosing the right size hula hoop can help you toward your fitness goals. Stand the hoop vertically in front of you. The top of the hoop should rest between your waist and chest. If the hula hoop is not sized correctly, you may find it difficult to perform the hip swaying motion to keep the going. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can be beneficial to hula hoop continuously for at least 10 minutes.
Types
Types of hula hoops also affect how much of a workout you get. Lighter and traditional hoops are available, along with weighted versions. Weighted and heavier versions gives you more control during use, which means you may be able to hula hoop for prolonged periods. However, lighter hoops require more energy to keep the hoop going, which may increase calorie burn.
Considerations
If you don't have a hula hoop, there are other ways to participate in this exercise. For instance, Nintendo's "Wii Fit" is a video game that includes hula hoop exercises and other aerobic activities. You simulate the hula hoop motion to burn calories and earn points. According to the American Council on Exercise, you burn approximately 3.7 calories per minute doing Super Hula Hoop on "Wii Fit."
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