0%

If you grew up before the age of smartphones and apps, there’s a good chance that you learned to hula hoop - and do it well. As it turns out, hula hooping isn’t just for playgrounds - it’s also a legitimate fat-burning, muscle-toning form of exercise. 

In fact, according to Mayo Clinic, hula hooping burns as many calories as salsa, swing dancing and belly dancing - up to 165 per 30 minutes for women, and up to 200 for men - and weighted hula hooping is even more effective. 

Are you tired of the same old workouts at the gym that don’t deliver the results you want? Looking for a fun, inexpensive workout to try?

Read on to find out more about weighted hula hooping and why it’s still a workout favourite for young and old. 

How do you use a weighted hula hoop? 

If you’ve used a regular hula hoop before, using a weighted hula hoop will probably come naturally to you. It works in much the same way in that all you have to do is put the hoop over your head and swing your hips to keep it in motion. However, there are some health risks that come with the use of a weighted hoop, and it’s important to adhere to health advice from medical professionals in order to avoid injury. 

What is the best weight for a hula hoop?

For most people, the recommended maximum weight for a hula hoop is 450 to 900 grams, and it’s important to adhere to these limits. If you’ve got a lot of weight to lose, you might be tempted to add more weight to your hoop in the hope of seeing faster results, but it is widely considered unsafe to put excessive weight in your hula hoop, and doing so could do you much more harm than good. 

How long should you use a weighted hula hoop for?

A weighted hula hoop adds a level of intensity to the standard hula hoop that makes it more difficult to maintain correct technique over time. For this reason, medical professionals generally advise that you use a hula hoop for no longer than 20 minutes at a time, although this does depend on your age and fitness level. If you are still feeling strong and energised after 20 minutes, you may be able to carry on for longer. 

Do weighted hula hoops work for weight loss? 

Weighted hula hoops make excellent exercise for weight loss, even if you don’t have the time to hoop for several hours every day. Aerobic activity is the key to weight loss, and hula hooping is an intensely aerobic exercise, and it’s not uncommon to see a rise in heart rate to 150 beats per minute or more. 

How long does it take to see results from using a weighted hula hoop? 

One of the best things about hula hooping is that it can deliver results within small amounts of time. In fact, studies have shown that hula hooping can deliver effective weight loss results in as little as 13 minutes a day over six weeks. Like all the best forms of exercise, hula hooping is known to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass at the same time. 

Weighted hula hoops offer a sustainable health and fitness option for all ages (Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-elderly-woman-using-a-hula-hoop-6815661/) 

5 Reasons To Try Hula Hooping 

It’s fun 

If you’ve ever attempted to stick to an exercise regime and failed, you’ll know that many forms of exercise just aren’t fun enough to keep us coming back. Hula hooping, on the other hand, has been proven to enhance mood and take that “chore” feeling out of exercising. 

It’s challenging 

When it comes to exercising, we all love a bit of a challenge, and hula hooping delivers in several ways. It requires great coordination and rhythm to get the hoop going as well as superior core strength to keep the movement flowing over long periods of time. 

It burns calories

Studies have shown that hula hooping burns as many calories as salsa, swing dancing and belly dancing - up to 165 per 30 minutes for women, and up to 200 for men. Weighted hula hoops multiply this effect, and are particularly good for shedding inches of unwanted fat.

It’s great for long-term health

If there was ever a reason to return to the favourite exercise pastimes of your childhood, this is it: hula hooping is a fantastic way to boost your cardiovascular fitness. This, in turn, helps to prevent future problems like heart disease, stress, and high cholesterol. 

It works different parts of your body 

If you really want to get the full benefit out of your time at the gym, an all-over body workout is the way to go - and hula hooping fits the criteria perfectly. With a single hoop, you can work as many as 30 core muscles, including your abs and obliques, as well as a handful of lower body muscles like your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. 

Simplistic, cheap, and effective, hula hooping is a timeless activity that works on so many levels - and with the addition of weights, you can expect even more amazing results. At Caremax, we are proud to be an Australian retailer of the genuine Weigh Hoop ® Fitness Hula Hoop, because we know the amazing results these hoops can deliver. 

Are you ready to try a weighted hula hoop for yourself? Click here to check out our stocked options.