Spinning around: why you need to start hula-hooping

It’s probably safe to assume that when Kylie Minogue sang, ‘I’m spinning around, move out of my way,’ she was crooning about the joys of hula-hooping.

Not only is hula-hooping a ridiculously fun way to kill a half hour or so, but it’s surprisingly good for you too. Whether you join in on a social class at somewhere like London’s HulaFit or grab your own hoop and start at home or in the park, make sure there’s good music to get you moving. Might we suggest, Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push it’ or Deee-lite’s ‘Groove is in the Heart’ to get you started?

Before you begin, it’s a good idea to use a padded, weighted hula hoop (trust us, it’s easier); and, remember to spin in both directions so you’re not just building strength on one side of your body. Here are some of the benefits of getting in to hula-hooping:

Tone your core

Hula-hooping requires good posture and a sturdy, strong core to keep your hula-hoop in flight. Just a quick thirty-minute spin a few times a week can help to get your mid-section in shape.

Get cardio-fit

It might look like child’s play, but this activity can really get the heart rate up and the sweat dripping! And, if it starts to feel easy, you can try jogging on the spot or doing star jumps while you spin, to set the challenge higher.

Improve your coordination

After a bit of practice, you mightn’t have to concentrate so hard on keeping the hoop from dropping; but, at first attempt, your coordination will be truly tested. Once you have the hang of hula-hooping, you can pick up some hand weights and strengthen your arms while you spin. Try pivoting in a circle, taking steps back and forth, and spinning in the opposite direction to further your skills.