Hooping is fast becoming a popular for of aerobic activity using hula hoop exercises to firm, tone & burn body fat and it’s FUN!
What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the word hula hoop? Childs play or the 50’s? I used to think I was terrible at it because I was never able to keep it around my waist for more than a coupe of seconds. What I didn’t realise was that I was trying with a hoop sized for a 6 year old!

We recently organised a class for one of our clients and I had the opportunity to join in. After the hour long class I felt like I had done a major workout. My heart was pounding and my body was jelly. The class structure was fun and simple. The instructor taught us some basic simple techniques and then next thing you know the whole class was dancing a choreographed wonder!
The next morning my stomach muscles had a satisfying ache to them and my enthusiasm for hula hooping increase ten fold.

The hoops used in the class are not the standard type that you played with as a child. These customized hoops are weighted especially for the activity. Because of the extra weight they rotate around the body more slowly, so it’s easier to keep it rotating around your hips. But the extra weight also gives the workout more core strengthening properties.

Benefits of exercising with a weighted hoop include:
•    Cardiovascular workout
•    Massages your intestines and organs
•    Gets your heart rate up
•    Allows for meditative time
•    Increases fitness level of the entire body
•    Increases blood to the brain (always a good thing!)
•    Increased energy
•    Improves coordination
•    Strengthens your core muscles
•    Enhances spinal flexibility

Getting the right hoop
The general rule is that when the hoop is resting on the ground it should reach somewhere between your stomach and chest. For people larger in the waist area its better to start with a larger hoop – i.e. reaching your chest. The bigger the hoop the easier it is to rotate it around your body!

To learn more about Hula Hooping click Here.

Myrthe Wieler
Mindwell
myrthe@mindwell.ie