Hula-hooping is a really fun way to burn calories, but many people think they can't Hula-hoop, so they don't even try. Admittedly, those lightweight flimsy hoops are difficult for adults to twirl and can easily lead to frustration and the conclusion that Hula-hooping is impossible. But don't despair--the new generation of hoops makes it easy for anybody to master Hula-hooping.
AARP and Hula-Hoops
According to the AARP Bulletin Today in its April 9, 2009, article titled "8 Surprising Ways to Burn 50 Calories," Hula-hooping was at the top of the list. Hooping it up for eight minutes gives you a good cardiovascular workout and will burn 50 calories, or 6.25 calories per minute.
Virtual Hula-Hooping
Virtual Hula-hooping, such as WiiFit's Super Hula Hoop program, burns an average of 3.7 calories per minute, or 111 for the 30-minute program, according to research performed by the American Council on Exercise and released in November 2009. This suggests that virtual hooping burns fewer calories than real hooping.
Weighted Hula-Hoops
Newer Hula-hoops are larger and weigh more, resulting in a slower rotation, making them much easier to twirl. Because they weigh more, the muscles must work harder, burning more calories in the process. When Coopers Institute researched the weighted hoops in its 2001 study, it reported that "its vigorous twirling not only thoroughly engages your core muscles, it also can burn more calories than a high-impact aerobics class, an intense bike ride or a comparable run on the treadmill," according to the WashingtonPost.com in its article, "Play with Heavy Hoops," from July 4, 2004.
HULAerobics
HULAerobics is an invigorating, fun and low impact exercise program that utilizes the movements of Hula-hooping, Tahitian and Polynesian dance, Pilates, yoga and interval training, according to the folks at HULAerobics.org, who claim it burns 600 calories or more, depending on age, ability and effort.
Hoopilates Fitness Craze
Hoopilates is one of the latest fitness crazes, "combining the joy of Hula-hooping, the core strengthening exercises of Pilates and the mind-body stretches of yoga, giving you a fun, energizing, unique and inspiring practice," according to the HoopilatesNYC web site. One-hour classes reportedly burn 300 to 500 calories.
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