New to Hula Hooping?

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Welcome. You'll find here links to hula hoop and hoop dance videos, how to make a custom-designed hula hoop, and where to buy a heavy hula hoop. Plus, you'll find information on caring for your hoop, selecting your first hoop, clothing and hooping. 

(The photo used here is of a phenomenal hooper named Baxter / Bax, who runs The Hoop Path in NC.)

How to choose the best hula hoop for you 

Recommendations if you're shopping for an adult-sized hula hoop

I've taken handfuls of hoops to handfuls of public events, and each person reacts to each hoop differently. A hoop I might consider less-trick-friendly is perfect for another woman my size. A hoop I love and find intuitively easy to use might fall repeatedly off another person's hips. The best work-around: Get two or more hoops! Also, you may wish to --
  • Call or email the person from whom you're buying the hoop. Describe your physical self: weight, height, gender. Get some recommendations.
  • Though heavy and big are good adjectives for a new hoopers' hoop, too big and too heavy and doing other hoop moves on your neck and arms might be painful and difficult.
  • Consider getting two (or more!) hoops in slightly different sizes. No joke. (You know the minute you go outside someone else is going to want to try your hoop, so you might as well always have two of them with you!)
  • Get a sense for the kind of hooping that thrills you. If you're really at a beginner stage and simply want to hip hoop and feel the delight of the spiraling movement, a large, heavy hoop will do you wonders. If you're itchin' to do upper body and hand tricks like you've seen on YouTube videos, then you might want a lighter and smaller hoop. Get a variety of sizes and weights.

It's easy to learn how to hula hoop 

Hula hooping is fun, sexy, playful and aerobic.

Hula Hoop Workout DVDs

Hoopnotic Hoopdance Beginning Level 1

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Hoopnotic Hoopdance Beginning Level 2

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

The Hoop Dance Workout

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

HoopDance For Beginners

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Dance Hoop (dvd incluced-workout kit)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

The "Modern Day" Hula Hoop 

If your memory of a hula hoop is a flimsy piece of plastic tubing, perhaps with a couple of beads inside it for sound and weight, make room for the new and improved hula hoop. Modern, heavy hula hoops are generally made of --

* heavy-duty irrigation tubing
* a connector piece
* electrical and/or gaffer tape

And, they are custom-made and often custom-designed to your color specs.

Sometimes these adult-size hoola hoops are weighted with water or beans to make them even heavier. Though, for many a hooper, the plastic and tape are enough to give the hoop sufficient weight. Why all the discussion about weight? Well, as a general rule, the heavier and larger a hoop is, the easier it is to use.

Whatever you do, DON'T buy a "Heavy Hoop" brand! 

Buy a handmade hula hoop, such as these on eBay.

Skip the store hoola hoops and "Heavy Hoops" brand. Handmade, adult-sized hoola hoops are the best option. I recommend this type: 36" or bigger. I like a 41" hoolahoop, myself.

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eBay

Hoop Lessons 

My very cute sister teaching me hula hooping with home-made videos

Hoop Tricks: Switching Arms, with Bent Arms

http://hoola-hoop-dvds-for-sale.blogspot.com/ http://www.squidoo.com/hoola-hoop-videos/ Learn how to move your hula hoop from one bent arm and switch it over to the other arm, also bent. ~ Jessie www.wolf-river-enterprises.com

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Hula Hooping and Clothing ... for everyday hula hooping 

(vs. hula hooper clothing for performances, and such)

Here's the first basic rule of hooping and clothing: the fewer clothes, the better!

The second key point regarding clothing is "go natural"; wear clothes made from natural fibers (cotton, silk, linen, hemp and such) as much as possible. Synthetic clothes somehow allow less "grab" between your body and the hoop, causing the hoop to slip down your body.

When hooping, you may also want to -

* Remove any belts with large buckles.
* Be careful about necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
* Remove any extra layers of clothing, such as jackets and sweaters.

What I've discovered is that the more I can feel the hoop on my body, the easier it is for me to hoop. So strip down a bit and go natural ... you may find it much easier to hoop.

Caring for your Hula Hoop 

Tips and tricks to make your hula hoop stay in good shape

  • Hoop on grass and soft, natural surfaces as much as possible.
  • Resist the temptation to use the hoop as a jump rope, or from putting a backspin on the hoop.
  • Occasionally wipe your hoops down with a washcloth and a light dose of ammonia.
  • Keep your hoops away from moisture, as some tapes (gaffer, in particular) can lose their stickiness when wet.
  • Use the hoop for hooping and hoop tricks only. Don't push, pull, stretch or bang them.

Where to Find Other Hula Hoopers 

Hooping.org -- A must-visit site!
Hooping.org is an online magazine for hoopers worldwide and an great resource and hoop community gathering place for new and experienced hoopers alike.
Find Local Hoopers on Tribe
Tribe.net (a social networking site requiring, first, free registration) hosts many "hooping tribes." These tribes are often clumped by locale, so it's easy to find hoopers in your region and city. You'll also find hoop groups by topic, there. It's a great site for adults and young adults who love hooping.

Reader Feedback 

Did you find this lens helpful? Let me know. ~Thanks.

Lensmaster

Hoola Monster wrote

Thanks for the "buy handmade" plug for all of us hoop makers! Great lens too. For anyone looking to take hoop dance classes in Florida or purchase custom hoops, you can find more info. at www.hoolamonsters.com.

Reply Posted February 06, 2009

Iconic_GenXer wrote...

Re hoop weight, the 160 psi vs 100 psi *IS* what creates the weight. I'm just not a fan of water-weighted hoops for many reasons. Go with the 160 psi. Check out a plumbing supply store for more tube options.

ReplyPosted September 07, 2008

Lensmaster

AP wrote

I notice some advice for making hoops and was wondering why the 160 psi is better (the DIY stores near me only have 100psi).
I also saw some info about avoiding water weighted hoops but no supporting info.
If one should avoid water weighted hoops what is the best way to get the extra weight to make it easier?

Reply Posted September 05, 2008

jpetals wrote...

What a great lens dedicated to spinning! :) I have been spinning for years now. I think spinning really is a family affair because my sister and I are both addicts as well. :)

ReplyPosted August 10, 2008

sarahshaffer wrote...

I handmake the adult sized hula hoops, you can custom order them on my website, www.truffalatreecreations.com (I also have lots of other cool stuff there too!) and P.S. I have watched your sisters video on youtube before!!

ReplyPosted June 28, 2008

 
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by Iconic_GenXer

Welcome. I'm Jessie. Thanks for stopping by. I am a social media coach, generational consultant, speaker, hula hooper and Iconic GenXer living in Colu... (more)

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