Hula Hoop For Weight Loss: How It Works?

Do you use a hula hoop for weight loss? (Photo via David Herron/Unsplash)
Do you use a hula hoop for weight loss? (Photo via David Herron/Unsplash)

Using a hula hoop for weight loss is a fun and interesting way to lose weight. You need to engage your entire body, such as hips, legs, arms, and core, to ensure that you’re being able to use the hula hoop properly. Although it is usually recommended for low-impact exercises, it does take some skill and movement to use a hula hoop for weight loss purposes.


How Does Hula Hoop For Weight Loss Work?

Hula hoops (Photo via David Herron/Unsplash)
Hula hoops (Photo via David Herron/Unsplash)

Using a hula hoop for weight loss works in the following ways:

1. Excellent Form of Cardio

When you’re using the hula hoop, you’ll be working on your endurance since it’s a great cardiovascular exercise. As a result, hula hoops count as good exercise, especially if you want to move away from the usual ones such as treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary cycling.


2. Burns Calories

As mentioned, hula hoops are a great cardio exercise. This means that it takes quite a bit of energy to use the hula hoop for weight loss. As a result, your body burns the stored calories to generate the energy required for it.


3. Helps With Strengthening Core Muscles

You need to engage your core muscles in order to keep the hoop spinning and maintain stability. This helps with toning your abs and making your muscles stronger.


4. Improves Your Mood

Staying healthy and fit isn’t only about becoming leaner or adding or building muscle mass. Mental health is an important part of our healthy lifestyle. Using hula hoops to exercise is a fun social activity that can significantly improve your mood.

Moreover, when you’re feeling good and happy, you’re less likely to crave unhealthy food. As a result, exercising with hula hoops has added benefits for your overall health as well.


Examples Of Hula Hoop Exercises For Weight Loss

Using a hula hoop for weight loss (Photo via Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels)
Using a hula hoop for weight loss (Photo via Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels)

Any hula hoop exercise can be used as a fun and effective cardiovascular exercise. The following are some of the hula hoop exercises that can help with weight loss:

1. Basic Hula Hoop

This is the basic form where you place the hoop around your hips and spin it around your waist. You can increase the speed and intensity as you improve.


2. Hoop Twirl

In this hula hoop exercise, hold the hoop with both hands and proceed to twirl it around your body in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. This is a great exercise for your arms and shoulders.


3. Waist Twist

In this exercise, you’re spinning the hoop around your waist, but instead of using your waist to keep the hoop spinning, you’re moving your torso back and forth. This form works on your core and hips.


4. Hoop Jumps

For this hula hoop exercise, start with the hula hoop around your waist. Next, jump up and down, but at the same time, keep the hoop from spinning. This is a good exercise for your legs and cardiovascular endurance.


Hula Hoop For Weight Loss: How To Use A Hula Hoop?

Using a hula hoop (Photo via MART PRODUCTION/Pexels)
Using a hula hoop (Photo via MART PRODUCTION/Pexels)

While we’ve discussed the benefits of using a hula hoop for weight loss as well as the many types of hoops available in the market, it’s important to understand how hula hoops are used.

Here are the steps you need to follow to be able to use a hula hoop:


Step 1: Choose The Correct Hoop

Hoops come in different sizes and weights. You must pick the one that is right for you, and isn’t too light or too heavy.


Step 2: Standing Position

The correct position is to keep your feet shoulder-width apart with a slight bend on your knees.


Step 3: Hoop Spinning

Spin the hoop around your waist by holding it with both hands and giving it a good spin. As soon as you spin it, extend your arms, but keep a slight bend on your elbows.


Step 4: Using Your Hips

Right after spinning the hoop with your hands, move your hips in a circular motion in the same direction as the spin. Keep your back straight and core engaged when you’re moving your hips.


Step 5: Practice

The only way to improve is to continuously practice the spin and move your hips. With time, your muscles will become stronger, and you’ll be able to improve your spins as well as build your endurance and accelerate weight loss.


Keep the aforementioned factors, benefits, as well as the practice routine in mind while choosing the right hoops for your weight loss journey!