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How to Hula Hoop

Last Update: July 31, 2008

Video By: LIVESTRONG.COM

The hula hoop was popularized in the late 1950s in the United States. Useful for fun and fitness, the hula hoop can be twirled around the neck, waist, arms or legs. Learn how to hula hoop from a trainer in this exercise video.

  • Views: 20,962
  • Comments: 16

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  • Move in circular motion
  • Keep arms clear
  • Put one foot in front of other

About this Author

ShaNay Norvell, a top personal trainer and fitness competitor based in Atlanta, GA, uses her positive energy and natural motivation skills to help take clients to their next level of fitness. With an upbeat attitude and a dare-evil nature, ShaNay has always challenged herself, just as she challenges her clients; to be the best they can be. Her awards and honors include: 2007-2008 American Gladiators Runner Up, 2007 Arnold Schwarzenegger International Amateur Fitness Champion, 2006, 2005 Ultimate Fitness Challenge Champion, 5 time National Obstacle Course Champion Women's Tri-Fitness Challenge, Galaxy Nova Competition.

Member Comments

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by fitzgerald on April 21, 2009 at 7:09 AM

Have been Hula hooping for months now with a 3lb hoop, lots of fun but no weight loss or inches lost in the mid section, no cardio increase, in fact I can keep that thing going all day without breaking a sweat so am kinda wondering what the benefit might be other than fun and rhythm, find some good music and have fun.

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by typpi on April 21, 2009 at 7:38 AM

Thank you for post this HONEST comment. I was thinking about how effective hula hooping would be. Can anyone give effective Hula Hoop methods? No one wants to waste time doing this when there are other more effective ways to exercise.

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by potterw on April 21, 2009 at 8:06 AM

I love to use the hula hoop. I have a weighted one and a regular one. I also do the hula hoop on the Wii. I think the true benefits come with mixing it up and not depending on it solely. Do some regular abs exercises and finish with the hula hoop and vise versa. When my kids and I are outside, we walk with it in a fast motion, almost racing and that gets my heart rate up. My kids also found this video on Comast with a lady dancing with the hula hoop and it was fun and challenging. I think it beats the monotony of doing the same ole thing over and over again. I have pretty decent abs but I think it comes from a variety of exercises not just one thing.

I hope that helps.

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by Elestina on April 21, 2009 at 8:07 AM

One thing that I found to increase the challenge both mentally and physically was trying a hula hoop dance video. This adds steps, different movements, and different methods of hula hooping. I definately felt it in my hips!

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by Elestina on April 21, 2009 at 8:20 AM

One thing that I found to increase the challenge both mentally and physically was trying a hula hoop dance video. This adds steps, different movements, and different methods of hula hooping. I definately felt it in my hips!

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by hoopk on April 21, 2009 at 8:49 AM

It can be great exercise. If you just hoop around your waist, you will stagnate there. You need to keep pushing yourself with it. There are tons of arm exercise, tricks etc. * Try hooping in reverse. * Or bring it further down on your hips. * On one foot! * Shimmy it up around your arms. * I know weight is one element of the hoop, the other is the circumference, which may make a difference for some people. Keep Hoopin!

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by daisyjane on April 21, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Where do I get a hula hoop like in the video? The one in the video looks more sturdy than the ones in the toy section of the store.

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by MidnightWolf on April 21, 2009 at 10:01 AM

I have the exact same hoop as in the video; it's a weighted hoop (you can choose from 1 lb, 2 lbs, 3 lbs, 4 lbs, and so on) and I bought it on Amazon. (I recommend the 3 lb )I've never found the weighted ones in any store, and even though the toy ones are fun.. they don't give that much of a workout. Good luck! ^-^

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by myztikangel on April 21, 2009 at 10:26 AM

I got mine at a local sporting goods store and they have them on eBay, they really are a good workout...hope this helps

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by soltouch on April 21, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Go online and look up hooping.org They have a ton of information and videos!

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by jennincat on April 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM

I like hula hooping. Your right it is different than the ones in the toys stores. Those are way harder. I got mine from www.bodyhoops.com. It's a local company in my area. Or just google weighted hula hoop I"m sure tons of places to buy them will pop up.

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by kt_yak on April 21, 2009 at 5:32 PM

Does anyone know how this compares to Wii Hula Hooping?

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by Sarabiner on April 21, 2009 at 9:20 PM

I made a few hula hoops from PVC piping a few years ago (before I learn't how bad PVC is for the planet). They were already about a pound or two each depending on the size, but I weighted them with hockey tape or electrical tape. You can weight any hula hoop with tape very easily. It's great for when you build up you mad hula skills and want to push yourself a little harder without having to buy a new hoop at every level. It's nice to have different sized and weighted hoops for however your feeling that day.

A favorite fittness past time is eating my morning cereal or reading an afternoon book with the hula going around my waist. After a bit of practice you get good enough to do just about anything with a hula (I once got a the winning bulls eye playing darts one night at home with some friends with a beer in one hand and darts in the other.)

As mentioned above here, shimmying the hoop up/down and on one foot is great to keep things lively and mix up the muscle groups. Hooping in reverse is nessisary to stay balenced. I always time myself (approximately) and do half clockwise, half counter-CW.

This year I'm gonna try to hula hoop on a slack line. (a kind of tight rope set hip height off the ground - mine is set between two tree's 35-40 in length - http://www.slackline.com/) />
Hooping is good fun.

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by Sarabiner on April 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM

Wii hooping is fun. It's probably a good work out too, minus the extra weight a good hoop could add.

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by kt_yak on April 21, 2009 at 10:57 PM

Does the weight make a huge difference? and if so how? thanks :)

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by kt_yak on April 21, 2009 at 10:57 PM

Does anyone know how this compares to Wii Hula Hooping?

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