Something I’ve noticed lately on my social media algorithms is people embracing hula hoops as a means of working out, or at least as a part of their workout routines. I love a hula hoop and am all for embracing any kind of exercise that brings people joy. Hula hoops are making a comeback, and I can’t wait to get my hands on one – just like the good ‘ol days.
As a kid, I freakin’ loved a hula hoop. I wasn’t necessarily good at it, but I could swing that thing around my hips for at least two minutes before inevitably losing my rhythm. I can also vividly remember being at music festivals and concerts in my late teens and early 20s and seeing incredibly beautiful, whimsical-looking women around my age doing all sorts of tricks with their feather-adorned hula hoops.
Now, hula hoops seem to have made its way into the ever-evolving fitness space.
Hula hooping for health
Similarly to any workout, hula hooping will help you burn calories if that’s your goal; it’s also an excellent low-impact workout for anyone who may have mobility issues. Hula hooping is, of course, a killer workout for your core and abs, but you can also mix in additional exercises while hooping, such as leg abductions (see second slide):
Additional benefits of hula hooping include improved balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health. These benefits are amplified with a weighted hula hoop (there are dozens to choose from) which will strengthen your core in ways that a non-weighted hula hoop cannot.
One of the best things about hula hooping as a means of exercise is that it requires you to be constantly in motion, and the better you get, the harder you can make your workouts. In time, you can hula hoop while walking, squatting, jumping, or even dancing, not unlike this woman who seems to float while she hoops:
Would you consider adding a hula hoop to your workout regimen? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below.
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