Most people won’t have picked up a hula hoop since school.
But the nostalgic pastime is one of the latest fitness trends on TikTok (along with skipping and roller skating).
Lucy Usher, a personal trainer at FLEX Chelsea, puts the resurgence of this childhood activity down to the pandemic – particularly with the closure of gyms and limited resources for fitness.
‘I think it’s suddenly become a trend on TikTok as we’ve all been looking to keep ourselves entertained throughout lockdown, and what a fun way to do so,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.
‘It’s also a bit of a party trick as well, when you can keep the hoop around your hips for a while.’
Targeted core workout
But not only is it fun to attempt, it seems weighted hula hooping has numerous health benefits – and is more of a workout than you might think.
Lucy explains that you can burn up to 400 calories in one hour of hooping – similar to running 5k.
Alongside this, it increases your aerobic health and improves core strength.
While Mel Stoodley, a fitness instructor and owner of Believe and Achieve Activewear, adds that hooping ‘reduces abdominal fat, increases core muscle mass and improves balance, endurance and coordination.’
Essentially, it’s a brilliant targeted ab workout – without a stomach crunch in sight.
Lucy explains: ‘The morning after your first hula workout you may find your abdominals are feeling a little sore – and who doesn’t love that feeling that somewhere deep down you have a six pack just waiting to shine.
‘It’s a great core workout as primarily this is what keeps the hoop afloat.’
People have also found that weighted hula hooping can help create a more defined waistline. This is down to the tightening of the muscles in this area, which sculpt the overall shape of a waist.
A great low-impact choice
It’s also a great option for those who want to take the pressure off their joints when exercising.
Lucy says: ‘It’s a low impact workout meaning there is no unnecessary strain on the body while you are hooping and therefore appeals to all ages and genders.
‘It’s a great form of cardio as it requires you to find a rhythm within your body to keep the hoop up around the hips and, within that, you can decide how fast or slow you hula.’
The fun factor
As it’s a bit of a throwback for many adults, it’s fair to say that weighted hula hooping is considerably more appealing than other workouts (especially if you do it with a friend, with an old-school playlist in the background).
Due to this fun-factor, you’re more likely to try it again and make it a regular part of your fitness routine.
Both Lucy and Mel add that these feel-good hooping endorphins can help with anxiety and stress, too.
So, thinking of giving it a go?
Just remember to opt for a weighted hula hoop, which is commonly used in the world of fitness – as opposed to the lightweight ones you find in the school playground.
Lucy says: ‘A weighted hoop is easier to keep around the hips as you have extra momentum from the weights and therefore you can find your rhythm a little easier.
‘Equally, once you’ve mastered the technique of the weighted hoop you’d be able to find your natural rhythm with a non-weighted hoop as well.’
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