Anybody can Hula Hoop!

Making your own hula hoop is a piece of cake...the only tricky part is tracking down the supplies. Once you know where to get them buy enough to make a bunch of hoops...trust me, everyone will ask you to make one for them!

What you will need

PVC or Poly Tubing: You can find this at

irrigation supply stores and depending where you live possibly Home Depot or other home improvement stores.

What type of tubing you buy is important.

For adults and beginners you will want 3/4 inch 160psi. This makes for a slightly heavier hoop and a good thickness.
Kids or people who want a lighter hoop: 100 - 120 psi.

I use 180 psi as that is all that I can get my hands on where I live. 180 + will cause some bruising when you first start (more on that later on.)
You can buy 1" diameter, this makes it a little thicker and heavier, it's really your own preference.

Insert Connectors - This holds the hoop together, in most cases if you buy 3/4" tubing then buy

3/4" connectors. However I use 5/8" nylon connectors and they work perfectly. When looking for connectors try inserting in the tubing it should be very difficult to get it in, or not really fit at all. You can use metal or plastic the main thing is that it's really tight. Buy a few different sizes and see which one works best.

PVC cutters (easiest option, or use mini saw) - you can buy cheap ones for only $5.

Duct tape or electrical tape - get black and a couple of colours to wrap your hula hoop.

Instructions (watch the video below for more detailed instructions)

1. Cut tubing to proper diameter. For beginners about chest high, bigger hoops make it easier when you first start.

2. Next heat up the ends of the tube under hot water or hair dryer to make it pliable. I just hold the tube ends under hot water.

3. Insert connector in one end so it's half way in, then attach it to the other side and try to get it as snug as possible.

4. Wrap the black duct tape to seal up the seam. Then alternate two coloured tapes around the entire hoop to customize the look.

It's just like when you first start back riding a bike or a horse, you get saddle sore until your used to it, same with hula hooping, your waist will be sore at first.

When you first start practicing with your hoop you'll be sore for a few days even up to a week until your body gets used to the hoop.

I had huge bruises on my hips when I first started, that's normal, most people experience some bruising. I stuffed some facecloths under my belt to cushion when I was sore, however the best thing to do is just wait a day or two to heal.

You may want to wear some extra padding around the chins and knees when you first start and gloves when practicing spinning on your hand, that will help with the soreness until your used to it.

Remember to always stretch before and after you hoop, I learned this the hard way after throwing my neck out..this is especially important if your feeling a bit tense or stressed as your more likely to injure yourself.

How to get started

Everyone has a natural direction they like to hoop in, for me it's counter clockwise. You will know which way to hoop as it will just feel right. However practice going both ways especially for fitness.

Stand with one foot in front of the other, give your hoop a spin and push your hips back and forth, side to side as it's not quite a circular motion with the hips, more like a pumping action. It will feel awkward at first but once you get good at it you won't need to move much at all to keep it spinning.

It takes practice

It took me 3 days just to keep the hoop spinning around my waist and another week to walk around with it. It takes time and practice to get that beautiful fluid motion you see in the videos. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged. The best way to practice is listen to music, it helps you keep your rhythm.

Hoop Dancing

Hoop dancing is just that, dancing with the hoop. It's hypnotic, beautiful and even sensual to watch. If your embarrassed to dance, this is a great excuse to start and many people start hoop dancing just for that reason.

Poi Hooping

Poi is a form of juggling usually using balls at the end of a chord. With poi hooping you're basically juggling by spinning the hoops around your body using your hands.

Fire Hooping

Just what it says, the hoop has torches around it lit on fire...something I will never try, but it's certainly pretty to watch

Do yoga - this will help with flexibility and help make your movements more fluid. This also will help prevent any injuries from trying out new tricks.

Listen to music - it helps tremendously to get into the rhythm.

Take a belly dancing class - this will help with mastering the hip movements.

Try hooping blind folded or with your eyes closed - it helps you become more in sync with the hoop so you learn to move with the hoop.

Watch instructional videos- There are several on you tube that explain step-by-step how to hoop. You can also buy hooping videos which is useful as you can watch it while you hoop.