Hula Hoops Are Fun

People world wide have been playing with hoops in various ways throughout history.

In the late 1950s, California's Wham-O toy company manufactured a plastic hula hoop that gained popularity over the years. By 1958, hula hooping was a fad; more than 100 million hoops were sold internationally in about two years.

Today hooping has become popular as a fitness aid among adults. You can also see hoops as a prop in circus and other acts.

I was not the most athletic child growing up. I remember spending hours jumping rope and playing with friends, but I also remember having bandaids on my knees most of the time and being one of the last to be chosen in any game requiring athletic skills.

However, even then, something about hula hoops captured my imagination. It was a challenge! I wanted to get that hoop spinning about my waist. I can remember kids lining up for their turn when some child in the neighborhood arrived with a hula hoop. When it was my turn, the hoop would go around once or twice, then inevitably fall about my feet in a clatter.

So why am I now reviving my interest in hula hooping so many years later? Meeting a hula hoop enthusiast is one reason. She claims that a larger hoop is easier to manage and weighting the hoop, usually done by filling the hollow tube with water or something sparkly if the tube is clear, makes spinning the tube around your waist much easier. And the exercise potential is a great benefit.

Many women who have given birth and older women in general struggle with extra weight in their belly area. Spinning a hoop not only burns a lot of calories, but works the muscles of your waist and belly in the process. How many calories does hula hooping burn? According to the American Council on Exercise, hula hooping burns 200 calories every 30 minutes, or even more if the hoop is weighted.

You can make your own hoop with a few supplies. I have included some videos below that show you how to make your own hula hoop. Or you can buy one ready-made.

But as with any exercise routine, you should check with your doctor before beginning to hula hoop, especially if you have a history of back or hip problems.

These are some of the benefits of hula hooping:

*Strengthens your core
*Burns 500 calories an hour
*Cardiovascular workout
*Develops flexibility and balance
*Low impact
*Works the muscles in your waist and hips

Sounds like a pretty good workout. And you can have fun while doing all those great things for your body!