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What are Weighted Hula-Hoops®?

B. Miller
B. Miller

Weighted Hula-Hoops® are Hula-Hoops® designed for exercising; they are designed to be heavier than a standard child's Hula-Hoop® that is intended for play. Weighted Hula-Hoops® may also be slightly larger in diameter, because they are intended for adults. Using a weighted Hula-Hoop® for exercising can be a great way to get aerobic exercise, have fun, and lose weight, in addition to drastically increasing the strength of the abdominal muscles.

In general, weighted Hula-Hoops® are between 1 and 5 pounds (0.45 to 2.2 kilograms), though 2 and 3 pound (0.9 to 1.4 kg) weighted Hula-Hoops® seem to be the most popular. It is nearly always recommended that one begin with a lighter weighted hoop, for a few reasons. The first is that it will be easier to exercise aerobically with a lighter Hula-Hoop®. Even though a heavier hoop may be more challenging, one may only be able to Hula-Hoop® for a few minutes with it, whereas one may be able to exercise aerobically for 20 minutes or more with a lighter hoop.

Weighted Hula-Hoops may help a person lose weight.
Weighted Hula-Hoops may help a person lose weight.

In addition, it is likely that weighted Hula-Hoops® will cause some irritation, and even possibly bruising around the hips and midsection. Beginning with a lighter hoop can help to prevent this bruising, and help one get used to hooping for exercise. Then, once physical fitness and endurance has increased a bit, it is possible to move up to a heavier weighted Hula-Hoop®.

Many weighted Hula-Hoops® are collapsible, which can make them easier to store or even to travel with. Some also offer removable sections, to allow the user to increase or decrease the weight of the Hula-Hoop® as needed. For instance, one might make the hoop lighter if he or she wants to focus on aerobics for the day, but if the goal of the day is to increase abdominal strength, one might add weight to the Hula-Hoop®.

Keep in mind that exercising with weighted Hula-Hoops® is intended to be fun. If the hoop that one purchases is too heavy, it might be too challenging or frustrating. In that case, simply switch to a lighter hoop, or even a plastic one for children until one gets the hang of the hooping motion. One may also choose to supplement a hooping fitness routine with other types of aerobic exercise, such as jogging or brisk walking, to ensure that the whole body is receiving benefits.

Discussion Comments

gravois

Does anyone know where to buy a weighted hula hoop? To be honest, I'm not even sure where to buy an unweighted hula hoop.

I looked in the big sporting goods store by my house but they didn't have anything. I guess I should probably go online but even then I'm not so sure where to start looking. Also, does anyone know how much these usually cost? Thanks for your help guys!

whiteplane

I go to a hula hoop fitness class at my local gym and I absolutely love it. Its a great workout, lots of fun to do and very high energy. It is also such a novel concept that you don't get bored with it very quickly.

In the two months that I have been doing the class I've seen huge changes in my body. I've lost almost 10 pounds and and my legs and butt are toned in a way that they haven't been in years. I have lots of energy, I am eating less and sometimes I even put on the radio and hula hoop in my spare time just because I like it so much.

nextcorrea

I have a friend that performs hula hoop tricks as part of a performance troupe. Her and several other hula hooping girls go to concerts and street fairs and generally anywhere that has merriment and launch into their act.

She has several weighted hula hoops that she uses both to practice and as part of her act. She practices with a particularly heavy one to help her work her hula hooping muscles. I know it sounds strange, but hula hooping is like any other sport and the stronger you are the better you will perform.

She uses a weighted hula hoop in her act because the weight allows her to spin it incredibly fast. She has tied a number or ribbons and beads to it and when she really gets it spinning she looks like some kind of firework. Its really a cool trick.

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    • Weighted Hula-Hoops may help a person lose weight.
      By: jedi-master
      Weighted Hula-Hoops may help a person lose weight.