The Scoop on the Hoop
31 Jul 2009
The hula hoop did not go out of style. It’s been keeping a low profile in your family garage…and that’s B.S. (yes, bullshit). You need to break it out, dust that baby off and put it to good use. Hula hooping might seem extraordinarily silly as a form of exercise but it’s actually one of the best ways to tone your abdominals and get a full cardiovascular workout. It will also help you do the following:
- Get your heart rate up.
- Enhance spinal flexibility.
- Improve balance and coordination.
- Increase energy.
- Build lower back muscles.
- Tone and strengthen every angle of your torso.
- Increase oxygen and blood flow to your brain.
- Burn approximately 400-600 calories/hour.
- Perform an intense cardiovascular workout with little or no impact.
- Reduce stress and laugh your ass off.
The hula hoop is a wise choice. It’s the quickest and easiest way to strengthen your core and probably the cheapest piece of workout equipment you’ll ever buy. I’m sure you can pick one up at Walmart if you don’t already own one. Hula hoops are also sold in toy stores, supermarkets and dollar stores. Just look for the plastic bouncy balls display and the hula hoops shouldn’t be too far. I recommend keeping your hoop handy—somewhere visible in your home so you’ll remember to use it. Place your body inside the hoop, twirl it around your waist and sway your hips to keep it in motion. The more you practice, the longer you’ll keep the hoop spinning and you’ll start to feel your muscles working harder. Try hula hooping in short bursts of 2 minutes for a total of 10 minutes. Take your hoop outdoors and use it before and/or after a run. It’s a great addition to any workout as it will help trim your waist, hips and thighs. For maximum results, try using a weighted hoop (2-3 lbs). You can find one at Target or Sports Authority for $30-$40. Stick to the classic hula hoop if you have back problems or injuries. I would post links to cool/modern hula hoops, but honestly they don’t exist. They’re ridiculous looking and we just have to accept it. The one I own (in the picture) has sound gems inside the hoop. It’s priceless…well, not really ($3).
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