Real Hula Hoops

I did a blog post last spring about hula hooping.  I had purchased a child's hula hoop and it worked fine.  Since then, we had a weight management group move into our building at work and they brought some heavy duty adult hula hoops with them.  I tried them out and they are the real deal.  They are heavier and much larger in diameter.  Ideally, a hula hoop should come between your waist and chest when it's standing on end.  The child's hoop that I was using only came up to the middle of my thighs.

I asked my co-workers where they purchased their hula hoops and found out that a local woman makes them.  She charges $45.00.  I thought that was a bit extreme (my Dutch heritage coming out), so I decided to make one for myself.  I went to Home Depot Friday evening and bought the supplies.  Forty five minutes and ~$14.00 later, I had my own real adult hula hoop.

Supplies:  1-inch irrigation tubing (you'll need about 10 - 12 feet)
                Insert coupling
                Hot water pipe insulation
                Duct and/or electrical tape

I used plain old gray duct tape for my prototype.  Next time I'll use colored duct tape.

$45 Hula Hoop 

$14 Hula Hoop

My core will never know the difference.

For hula hoop exercises, see post from 5/19/11.

Budget Friendly Home Gym: Part 5

With spring here, it's time to return to your childhood and get out the hula-hoop.  You can pick one up at any discount department store for around $5.00.  I tried several in the store and ended up getting a weighted one.  It also is pink with sparkles.

Hula-hooping is great for your core, thighs, and arms.  It will also get your heart rate up.  Studies show you can burn over 200 calories in a half hour.  Throw on some fun tunes and it's a great addition to your workout.

The moves:

1. Side to Side - Holding the hoop at waist level, start with your feet about hip distance apart.  With your hands, push the hoop off a hip so it begins to rotate.  As it spins, sway your hips from side-to-side, as if bumping each side of a doorway.  Work up to 60 seconds.  Rest.  Repeat.
2. Front and Back - Stagger your stance so one foot is forward and the other is back with toes pointing forward.  Hold the hoop at waist level and push it off a hip so it begins to rotate.  With your knees soft (not locked), rock your hips back and forth to keep the hoop rotating.  Work up to 60 seconds.  Rest.  Repeat.
3. The Revolution - Stand with your feet together and hold the hoop straight out in front of your body.  Get the hoop in motion so that it's rotating around your hand (move your arm up and down slightly to maintain the motion).  Slowly raise your arm above your head, keeping the hoop moving.  (You may want to do this outside at first as the hoop can easily fly off your hand.)  Work up to 60 seconds. Rest. Repeat with other arm.

There is a video you can watch to get started @ http://www.healthkicker.com/742417015/the-hula-hoop-workout/.

Update:  See post on 11/13/11