The hula hoop of the 1950s has found a new home as a tool for exercise buffs. Updated hula hoops have features that didn’t exist in the kid’s toy. These upgraded hula hoops fit into exercise programs that might help you tone up and slim down while having fun. Check with a physician before you choose this exercise regime.
Hoop Features
Today’s hula hoops are not the flimsy plastic tubes. The least expensive ones have weighted cores, while the high end ones have features such as foam padding and metal cores. Adult hoops normally weigh from 1 to 5 lbs. The heavier they are, the easier it is to keep them in motion. They also come in a variety of sizes, including smaller hoops that you use to target arms, shoulders and leg muscles. Travelers can also opt for collapsible hula hoops for exercise on the road.
Exercises
You can master the main exercise regime for hula hoops in a few minutes. After placing the hoop around your waist area, hold it with your hands so that it touches your lower back. Position your feet so that one is slightly in front of the other. Spin the hoop and rock your body, shifting your weight from one foot to the other while swiveling your torso in a circular motion. Once you reach the correct speed, your body movement keeps the hoop from falling. Unless you’re just out to have fun, you’ll need to try to keep the hula hoop spinning for at least 10 minutes at a time to see any benefits, according to MayoClinic.com. Exercise instructors, gyms and trainers have created exercise routines that incorporate the hula hoop into traditional cardio and aerobic exercise programs. You can learn hoop Pilates, hoops dance and swimming pool exercises with hoops these routines from DVDs or participate in classes at recreation centers and gyms. Each program lets you target a specific area, such as your core, upper body or your limbs. Consumer interest in hula hoop exercise programs has also spawned meetups and impromptu groups in metropolitan areas.
Calories
Little scientific evidence exists about the efficiency or effectiveness of weighted hoops for weight loss, toning and burning calories. The American Council on Exercise commissioned a small study with 16 participants to measure the calorie burning potential of hula hoop exercise programs. In 2010, they reported that their study suggests that you could burn up to 210 calories hooping for 30 minutes. This rate is comparable to cardio kickboxing and higher than the calorie burning rate for yoga, Pilates and step aerobics.
Warnings
To avoid frustration, get the correct size hula hoop. Before you purchase one, position the hoop next to your body in the vertical position. The top of your hoop should reach your navel when the bottom is touching the floor. People who have bad backs may want to skip this exercise regime, since it requires gyrations that may aggravate this condition.
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