The Hula Hoop - The Best Toy Ever!
Ranked #4,395 in Sports & Recreation, #111,862 overall | Donates to Squidoo Charity Fund, A Day of Hope, Diabetes Research Institute
Hula Hoops - The 1950s Phenomenon Is Making A Comeback!
However, at the grand old age of 50, hula hoops are making a spectacular comeback as a cheap, pollution-free and injury-free exercise in the fight against Obesity .
So, let's take a look at one of the most successful toy phenomena that the world has ever seen - and now, possibly, a life-saver, the hula hoop.
Table of Contents
- Wham-O Early 1960s Vintage Hula Hoop Commercial
- The Very Important Hula Hoop Poll
- History Of The Hula Hoop
- The Health Benefits of Hula Hooping
- Hula Hoops & Health Links
- Hula Hoop Video Lessons
- Christabel Zamor Hula Hoop Workout Videos
- Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program - Book & DVD
- Hula Hoop Entertainment Videos
- Have You Ever Hula Hoop-ed?
“In the Cold War of the 1950s, the Russians said the Hula Hoop
represented the shallowness of America”
“And their point was?”
Wham-O Early 1960s Vintage Hula Hoop Commercial
The Shoop-Shoop Hula Hoop
The Very Important Hula Hoop Poll
History Of The Hula Hoop
Plastic Hula Hoops were first manufactured and sold in Australia. In 1957, the Coles department store sold bamboo hoops but the supplier couldn't produce enough to meet demand, so they invited Alex Tolmer, the founder of Toltoys, to produce plastic ones. Toltoys sold 400,000 plastic hoops in 1957.In 1958, Melin and Knerr of Wham-O started to market Hula Hoops in the USA. Wham-O sold 25 million in the first four months and over 100 million in its first year.
Knerr and Melin were unable to patent their vastly profitable "re-invention", as it had been in use for thousands of years - making the device out of a new material did not meet patent requirements of originality. However, they were largely able to preserve a virtual monopoly by trademarking the term "Hula Hoop" in the USA.
The craze lasted from January to October [1958], then suddenly died..an estimated 80 - 100 million [Hula Hoops] were sold in 1958...
...To relaunch the Hula Hoop in the late 1960s, Wham-O staged a national competition in the US in conjunction with the National Parks & Recreation Network. The National Hula Hoop Contest (subsequently re-named the World Hula Hoop Championships) grew in scope from 500 US cities in 1968 to over 2,000 cities in 1980, with two million participants.
Competitors were judged on their performance of compulsory maneuvers (Knee Knocker, Stork, Hula Hop, Wrap the Mummy, Alley Oop) as well as freestyle routines set to music, establishing the roots of the contemporary freestyle Hula Hoop movement.
N.B.: This entire module on the history of the Hula Hoop is an extract from Wikipedia.
The Hudsucker Proxy
a fantasy movie about the invention of the Hula Hoop
The Hudsucker Proxy
Amazon Price: $12.34 (as of 05/31/2012)
"[The Hudsucker Proxy] is a comedy without jokes. Everything onscreen, from the characters to the sets to - especially to - the dialogue, is so incredibly amusing that many folks cannot seem to comprehend what the film is doing."
Amazon reviewer Zachary S. Houp
"Tim Robbins plays a mailroom clerk from Muncie Business School who is hired to run the company after Paul Newman and company directors concoct a scheme to hire him as CEO to drive the stock price down so they can buy ownership of the company for pennies on the dollar."
Amazon reviewer Zarathustra
"I was blown away when I first saw this on TNT late one night. I now own the video, soundtrack, screenplay and even a hoola hoop because I love this movie so much!"
Amazon reviewer Allen W. Nyhuis
The Health Benefits of Hula Hooping
And so to the modern day, where weighted hula hoops are no longer a fad but are becoming part of the fight against Obesity.These hoops are ideally about 2 - 3 lbs in weight (heavier than that can cause bruising, especially when you first start) and with application, regular Hula Hooping workouts will provide you with:
- a good - though not heavy - cardiovascular workout
- a strengthening of the torso muscles and in the process, the removal of abdominal fat
- an Increase in the fitness level of the entire body
- an enhancing of the spinal and hip flexibility
- a massage of the intestines and internal organs - resulting in improved health in all areas of the body
- a probable Improvement in coordination and possibly the introduction of graceful movements to your everyday life
- an Increase in the flow of blood to the brain &
- a short - some may say - even, meditative break
Weighted Hula Hoops On eBay
Hula Hoops & Health Links
- Parkinson's Disease symptoms reduced via Wii Hula Hoop, Boxing & Aerobics
- December 2010 - Ex: The Sun Just 45 minutes a day has seen a "massive improvement" in 48 year old executive's debilitating Parkinson's Disease symptoms
- First lady, Michelle Obama, Hula Hoops for anti-Obesity campaign
- October 2009 - Ex: CBS News
What Size Hula Hoop Do I Need?
determining the correct size of your Hula Hoop is very important!
Unless you're actually the size a child, a child-sized hoop is just not going to work for you - especially if you're a beginner! You'll save yourself a lot of frustration if you purchase a hoop that's adult-sized and right for your particular shape.
Woman with Hula Hoop on the Beach Framed Art Print
Available from AllPosters.com
So, what is the right size?
Well, stand with your hoop in front of you, resting it upwards on the ground. The general rule of thumb is that your Hula Hoop should be somewhere between your stomach and chest height, although you may have to make some compensation for your waist size, too, because the rounder you are, the bigger your hoop should be.
Larger hoops will rotate more slowly, which will making getting started easier. However, smaller hoops - which need to rotate more quickly - are more challenging but better for doing tricks and exercising.
Hula Hoop Video Lessons
Video # 1: How to workout with a Hula Hoop (1.47)
Video # 2: How to Start Hula Hooping - what type of hoop should you have, what type of clothes do you need, how much space is advisable etc.
Video # 3: How to stretch before Hula Hooping to avoid injury (2.32)
Video # 4: How to work out which direction you naturally Hula Hoop (1.25)
Video # 5: How to turn with your Hula Hoop (1.30)
Video # 6: How to Hula Hoop to the right & turning (2.41)
Video # 7: How to keep a Hula Hoop on your waist (1.29)
Video # 8: How to move the Hula Hoop from your hips to your torso with no hands (1.55)
Video # 9: What is hand control in Hula Hooping? (1.27)
Video # 10: More hand control tips (2.37)
Christabel Zamor Hula Hoop Workout Videos
Video # 1: Hoop Girl, Christabel Zamor, introduces the Hula Hoop Workout
Video # 2: Christabel's feelings about her "Hulaerobics" exercise system
Video # 3: an excerpt from Hoop Girl's Hoop Sexy Workshop
Video # 4: an excerpt from Hoop Girl's L.E.D. Hoops nightclub performance in Chicago, USA
Video # 5: The HoopGirl All-Stars perform at the 2010 RSA Codebreakers Bash at City Hall in San Francisco (from 1.00)
Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program - Book & DVD
by Christabel Zamor & Ariane Conrad
Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program (Book & DVD)
Amazon Price: $9.04 (as of 05/31/2012)
"[Hooping] has great illustrations, the history or hooping, music and diet tips - all in all, a must for any beginning hoop- er who wants to take it to the next level."
Amazon reviewer B. McGraw
"Exercise fads come and go, but reading Zamor and Conrad's Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program I found myself hoping that this one would be here for the long haul. Not only do these authors cogently argue the advantages of hooping - including, but not limited to its excellent health benefits and the very low cost to participate - they do it in a manner both fun and inspiring.
The movement exercises cover a variety of levels, from basic to more advanced and offer lots of tips and encouragement."
Top 500 Amazon reviewer J. A. McGill
"[Hooping] is a spectacular hooping instruction and lifestyle book. With a 50-minute DVD included, this book is the best value on the market for those seeking to get started with a healthier, better and more joyous lifestyle through hooping."
Amazon reviewer Miss Rosie
Hula Hoop Entertainment Videos
Video # 2: a slightly-edited Hula Hoop performance by award-winning cabaret artist, Irina Roubleva
Video # 3: a superb, punchy music-video-like montage of exotic Hula Hoop performances by Anna Jack - as seen on Letterman
Video # 4: comedy Hula Hoop artiste, Viktoria Lapidus, from the Tiger Lillies Circus, France tour, 2008
Video # 5: comedy act, Hoop La La, on Britain's Got Talent 2008 - and grumpy Simon Cowell hates them!
Video # 6: now, this is just ridiculous - four grown men jump through a rolling Hula Hoop!
Video # 7: now, this is even more ridiculous - Orison provides a death-techno song - with a garish music video - about his Hula Hoop, that's had over 1 million views on Youtube!
Video # 8: Why every guy should buy their girlfriend Wii Fit - a young man videos his girlfriend Hula Hooping indoors, that's had over 10 million views on Youtube!
Video # 9: spontaneous - and a little bit sexy - Thailand shopping mall Hula Hoop performance by "Kelly", to African Djembe drums!
Video # 10: trailer to the documentary, The Hooping Life
The Latest News On Hula Hoops
- Hooping mad! 2012 bosses banned my hula ring display and threatened legal ...
- But an estate agent who created a celebratory Olympics display using hula hoops as the famous five rings has been ordered to take it down by Games organisers ? and threatened with legal action if he doesn't. Staff at Webbers Estate Agents in Braunton, ...
- Learn hula-hoop history, then get a workout in Hamburg
- Berks Encore-Hamburg will be breaking out the hula hoops at 11 am Tuesday, May 29, for a hula hoop history lesson and demonstration. Kaitlin Becker, Berks Encore's information and referral specialist, will lead the activity in the senior center at 61 ...
- Where Are All the Big-Gutted Ladies?
- Hula hoops!! Yes, I'm serious. You can hide your gut with clothes, but you should also probably exercise. Last weekend, I met an amazing woman who owns a Hula Hoop company called Alotta Hoopla. She runs workshops for kids and adults, and she told me ...
- Hula hoop record holder; spiritual guide
- By GREG HARDESTY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Gregory Sean Dillon, 31, of Capistrano Beach, set a new world record for most hula hoop revolutions in one minute: 243. The former heavy drinker has launched No Hoopla, a cause to "create healing change for ...
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Have You Ever Hula Hoop-ed?
I'm sure there are many Hula Hoop memories out there!
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Donita_Marie
Sep 29, 2011 @ 11:56 am | delete
- Great lens, hula hoops are awesome.
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HulaHoops
Mar 19, 2011 @ 5:24 pm | delete
- I'd love to add your lens to my Hula Hoop Group on Squidoo. I'd feature both you as the lensmaster and your lens. Please apply! http://www.squidoo.com/groups/hula-hoops
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:26 pm | delete
- I'd love to be part of your Hula Hoops group, too.
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LivingInParis
Jan 28, 2011 @ 11:32 pm | delete
- I had a hula hoop growing up in the 80's (when they made a minor resurgence). I guess it's true that everything old is new again, and again...
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:28 pm | delete
- Nothing better than 80s music like Prince & Madonna to hula hoop to!
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BigGirlBlue
Jan 26, 2011 @ 8:27 pm | delete
- I'm a terrible hula hooper but I'm not giving up! :D
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:29 pm | delete
- That's the girl - keep on hooping!
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antith3tical
Jan 24, 2011 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- I love vintage toys. The hula hoop is one of the few toys that has stuck around. A lot of toy fads from the 50s and 60s have fizzled out because kids nowadays are lazy and don't want to have to exert any energy...
I had a spiffy silver hula hoop when I was a kid. I was never very good at it but I did teach my german shepherd how to jump through the hoop....he seemed to like it lol.
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:39 pm | delete
- These days, if you caught it on video - you might have been a hula-hoop sensation!
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chemknitsblog
Dec 25, 2010 @ 7:51 am | delete
- I have hula Hooped, and I am not that good at it!
When I saw the title of this lens on SquidU, this was not what I expected. This is an absolutely fantastic lens! (I never knew this much history about this classic toy.)
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:40 pm | delete
- Thank you so much - hope it inspires you to hoop!
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fromamericateel Oct 12, 2010 @ 12:54 pm | delete
- Yes, I had a Hula Hoop as a child. And i've been thinking about getting another. Thanks for the information about size of hoop I'd never considered that.
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:41 pm | delete
- Don't forget the weight of the hoop - it's pivotal (no pun intended).
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partybuzz
Jan 12, 2010 @ 11:54 am | delete
- Oh, yes, I had a hula hoop and loved it. I was pretty good at it, too! I doubt I could do it now though. :-)
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the777group
Dec 30, 2011 @ 11:42 pm | delete
- Nah, hooping is like bike riding - you never forget!
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What Blogs Around The World Are Saying About Hula Hoops
- Hooping mad! 2012 bosses banned my hula ring display and threatened legal ...
- But an estate agent who created a celebratory Olympics display using hula hoops as the famous five rings has been ordered to take it down by Games organisers ? and threatened with legal action if he doesn't. Staff at Webbers Estate Agents in Braunton, ...
- Learn hula-hoop history, then get a workout in Hamburg
- Berks Encore-Hamburg will be breaking out the hula hoops at 11 am Tuesday, May 29, for a hula hoop history lesson and demonstration. Kaitlin Becker, Berks Encore's information and referral specialist, will lead the activity in the senior center at 61 ...
- Where Are All the Big-Gutted Ladies?
- Hula hoops!! Yes, I'm serious. You can hide your gut with clothes, but you should also probably exercise. Last weekend, I met an amazing woman who owns a Hula Hoop company called Alotta Hoopla. She runs workshops for kids and adults, and she told me ...
- Hula hoop record holder; spiritual guide
- By GREG HARDESTY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Gregory Sean Dillon, 31, of Capistrano Beach, set a new world record for most hula hoop revolutions in one minute: 243. The former heavy drinker has launched No Hoopla, a cause to "create healing change for ...
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Weighted Sports Hula Hoop for Weight Loss
Acu Hoop 3 lb. Boxed
Weighted Sports Hula Hoop for Weight Loss - Trim Hoop 3B 3 lb. No Ridge, Travel Easy and Easy to Assemble/disassemble
Amazon Price: $26.45 (as of 05/31/2012)
"I heard about this [Weighted Sports] Hula Hoop from my doctor, who has been using it since June of 2010. She runs and hula hoops and has lost 21 pounds!
I bought mine on November 1st and have been using it every day! I started out 3 - 5 minutes a day and now I am using it for 20 minutes a day! Put on some Michael Jackson or any other fast music and it makes the workout even better!
You should not bruise if you wear a sweatshirt the first few times."
Amazon reviewer Karen Sansregret
"This hula hoop gives a great work out for abs and core."
Amazon reviewer naskar24
"I... thought I'd give you some tips...
I put my right foot/leg forward with knee slightly bent (lunge style) and my left leg back slightly - there is a about a 12" of distance between my forward leg and back leg. Then, with both hands on the hoop with the hoop against my back, I throw / swing the hoop across my waist to the left and begin a rocking back and forth motion. The back and forth motion is my waist and lower body shifting the weight from my forward leg to the back leg as the hoop comes around. The success is in the timing of when your waist hits the hoop while utilizing the centrifugal force to keep it going.
Also, keep in mind every one has a dominant leg. If you were to fall forward which foot would you send out to break your fall? That's the leg you need to put forward."
Amazon reviewer Sandra Gill
