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“Hooping improves core strength, tones your stomach, arms, thighs and butt. It’s a low-impact, high-energy workout that can burn 400 to 600 calories in an hour.” This is according to Edward R. Laskowski MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Try to keep your hoop twirling for at least ten minutes at a time and look for results similar to salsa, hula, belly and swing dancing. Most fitness hoops are 2 ½ pounds; they are easier to keep going and work your abs more than the lighter weighted counterparts we had growing up. Weighted hoops are available at most sporting goods stores and online.
Body toning, sculpting and muscle-building are not the only benefits of hooping. It can relieve and loosen your lower back muscles lessening back pain, prevent osteoporosis as a low weight-bearing exercise and improve posture and balance by increasing the flexibility of the spine and hips. The rhythm of hooping has been compared to rocking, a form of meditation and stress relief so important to our wellbeing. Find your own personal rhythm and you’ll have no problem whipping that hoop around your waist. Always hoop to music. During the intermittent rests from hooping, instructor Ann Merrill leads exercises with bands, balls, weights and mats.
One student reported losing four inches around her waist after one month of hooping class. Another says she’s gained endurance, flexibility and strength—-not to mention losing a total of 11 inches. Not only do students see results from hooping, as Patti says “it’s the most fun I’ve had getting fit.” Ann’s instruction style is effective, safe and always lots of laughs. As Elaine says it’s “500 laughs for 500 calories” and often more.
Cardio intensity varies with the hoop’s speed and direction and with arm movements, squats, lunges and knee lifts. If you drop by to observe the class, you might see students walking around while hooping. You can start the class any time—-beginners join almost every week. Come try hooping—now you’ll be hooked! Hula Hoop class meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the Fitness Studio.