Perhaps you have fond memories of hula hooping as a child. It was a sunny day at the park and you had that perfect colorful circle whizzing around your torso. It was fun, wasn't it? You had the approval of your friends and parents because "hula hoops are for kids."
Since then have you picked up one of those perfect colorful circles to find that you "can't hoop" anymore? That the distant memory of accomplishment and fun has been replaced by a hoop that doesn't do much more than get catapulted by gravity to the ground before you even had a chance?
If you are no longer a kid and you are feeling discouraged by hula hoops, know that you aren't the only one. For every ounce of disappointment you have felt toward that "not so perfect" colorful circle, there is an equal ounce of joy and happiness to be had. Read on, and let's change that "I can't hula hoop" to "Yes!!! I can hula hoop!"
Why Adults "Can't Hoop": It Usually Comes Down to Three Things
- Size: most adults are stuck with a leftover kids' hoop
- Weight: too light, and you can't keep up with it
- Movement: the hip motion trips up almost everyone at first
- Type of hoop: bare polypro vs. taped, and why it matters
- Feeling self-conscious? You are not too old for this
Size
One of the most basic qualities of a new hoop is its size. The size of your hoop makes all the difference. Eventually, you will know your favorite hoop size down to the inch. Hoop size also makes certain tricks more accessible. Most adults try hooping again for the first time since childhood with a small "kid's size" hoop from a major department store. These hoops are no longer suitable for you. Depending on your size, a 36–42" Weighted Fitness Hoop would be a great place to start.
Most kid hoops are around 24" in diameter. The size of your waist dictates what size hoop you will need: bigger hoops are better for bigger waists. The bigger the hoop, the slower you will have to move to keep it up. We have a hoop sizing guide that can help you answer the question "what size hoop do I need?" and you can always write us at support@thespinsterz.com with more questions.
Weight
Weight is almost as important as size. A heavier hoop will move more slowly and give you time to react and keep the hoop up. The lighter the hoop, the faster you will have to move. However, just because a hoop is heavy doesn't mean it is better: you will see lots of weighted fitness hoops on the market, and it is important to get one that is not too heavy. For a healthy body, a 2.5–3 lb hoop could be fine, but 3 lb can be too heavy depending on your size and the health of your spine.
Caution: anything above 3 lb can be damaging to the spine. If you have a sensitive spine or have previously injured your spine, a heavy hoop may not be for you.
Movement
How are you moving to keep the hoop up? The most common ways to keep a hula hoop up are to move side to side, or forward and back, with your hips. Practicing with a hoop that is the right size and weight will help you figure out which style you prefer. Even though your hoop is a circle, circling your hips will not help you keep it up easily: when you press your hips to the right, the next easy point of contact will be to your left. Focus on keeping the hoop up by meeting it where it is going to make contact with your body. You also want to make sure that when you first start the hoop spinning with your hands, it is level to the ground.
See how this hoop is perfectly horizontal?Nicole Goss @theegalavantingbae
Type of Hoop
There are many different types of hoop tubing, and this makes a big difference in how easy it is to keep your new hula hoop up. Bare polypro is too light for a beginner hoop anyway, and the texture is also very slippery. Slippery hoops slide downward a lot faster than grippy hoops like taped fitness hoops. What makes these hoops grip onto clothing and skin better is gaffer tape. Gaffer tape has the texture of fabric and often makes up half of the tape on a fitness hoop. Some tapes, like vinyl and other specialty tapes, are slick and won't help you keep the hoop up: the type of tape on your hoop can make all the difference. Likewise, the type of clothing you are wearing can also make a big difference in how the hoop slides, or doesn't, on your body.
This polypro hoop is beautiful, but it is also a bit slippery for new hoopers!KitCat @kitcatkatelyn
But I Am Afraid of What Others Will Think…
If you find that you love hooping but still have it in your mind that "hooping is for kids," let me dispel that thought right now. Hula hooping has been growing in popularity every year with adults and kids alike. Hula hooping is fun, can help you lose weight, and can be done at any age.
If you are on Instagram or Facebook, you will find plenty of videos of adults hooping. If you feel like you are the only hooper in town, try finding fellow hoopers through Facebook groups, or look for a local class. If you don't find anyone, maybe you can share the love of hooping by getting a Hoop Fitness DVD and inviting a friend over to give it a try.
No matter what, hooping will be what you make it. You can hoop because it brings you joy. You can hoop to burn calories. Or you can hoop because it's a great way to get your friends together at the park on a sunny afternoon, this time with "big kid hoops."
Hula hooping is for everyone!Find Your Right-Size Hoop
Ready to trade in that leftover kids' hoop? Start with our beginner and size-changing hoops, browse weighted fitness hoops for extra stability while you learn, or go with taped polypro hoops for the grippiest feel. Once you've found your size, our colored polypro hoops are where the fun really starts.
