If you’ve ever participated in an exercise routine designed mainly to strengthen the core and abdominal muscles, you’ll understand just how tedious and rigorous such sessions can get. If you’ve ever done sit-ups or even exercised
on a treadmill, then you’ll appreciate what we’re talking about. And who says you can’t get your midsection all toned and looking gorgeous in a fun way? You can work out, build up and tone the abdominal and core muscles while socializing at the same time; using the hula hoop! Working out with the hula hoop will also improve your blood circulation and cardiovascular system greatly. You also get to trim your waist and strengthen your spine and, by extension, improve your posture. The use of hula hoops dates back to the ancient civilization of Egypt and was first seen in modern times in 1958.
Hula hoops can be used indoors and outdoors, although you’ll require a large room with enough space to maneuver in if you’ll be using the hoop indoors. If you wish to relax and exercise at the same time, hula hoops will afford you the perfect opportunity to put on your favorite music, either on your
surround sound CD player or your earpiece, and then gyrate to the beat. And if your goal is to improve attention and concentration, no other exercise routine will do it for you better than a hula hoop.
Hula hoops are not just for adults. They can be used by anyone at any age, provided you are able to keep the hoop at your waist. Apart from the hoops that are weighted for exercise, there are still the traditional toy hoops for kids and those with additional features that perform special functions like
massaging the abdominal muscles.
The best part of it all is that you need not spend a lot of time in one go. In fact, it’s strongly recommended that you do not spend more than 15 to 20 minutes hula hooping at a time, especially for beginners, to avoid soreness and bruising.
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a hula hoop. You’ll need to consider the fitness and expertise level of the user. There’s also the weight and diameter of the hula hoop to think about, the type, and also the price tag. This guide will provide you enough insight on these factors so you can make the best decision and choose the hula hoop that is best suited for you at the right price.
Price
Different factors affect the price of hula hoops in the market – things like the material, the extra features, its ability to be stored unobtrusively, and whether it’s adjustable or not. Our research shows that hula hoops fall in the price range of around $12 and $50, although there are still some that cost more than the stated price.
Here, we’ve reviewed different types of hula hoops with different feature combinations. All have guaranteed quality and durability that’ll give you value for your money. We came across some cheap hula hoops while conducting our research but we are quite sure those will not give you any value at all so we decided to stick to what works best – quality.
Features
To choose a hula hoop that’ll serve you well, there are features that you’ll need to carefully consider – if not, you may be making an error in judgement and may not get the hula hoop that you deserve. These features include:
- Type of Hula Hoop
- Weight of Hoop
- Diameter
- Material
- Additional Features
Now, let’s take a closer look at the different features on offer.
Construction and Design
Hula hoops come in basically three different types. We have the traditional or toy hula hoop which is designed mainly for children. The traditional hula hoop is extremely lightweight and easy for kids to keep them spinning on their waists. There’s also the weighted or fitness hula hoop that is meant for adults. These types come in various sizes but they’re all heavy to some degree and are used by both experienced and beginner “hoopers”. Dance hoops are smaller and lighter than weighted hoops, but not as small or as light as the traditional hoops. Because of the intricate moves involved in dance hooping, the dance hula hoop is uncomplicated and light so as not to hinder movement or weigh down the user.
The weight of the hula hoop is an extremely important consideration. Hula hoops can weigh as little as a feathery 0.5 pounds or as much as three pounds. As with everything in life, moderation is often recommended, especially for a beginner. As a beginner, you can go for a hula hoop weighing between 0.75 pounds to 1.5 pounds, and then build up from there. Getting a hula hoop too heavy for you may impede movement and take longer to master.
The majority of hula hoops measure from 40 to approximately 44 inches in diameter. The most standardized and recognized method to choose the suitable diameter is to place the hula hoop on the floor in front of your feet and hold it upright against your body. The hula hoop that reaches somewhere near or slightly above your navel is considered to be the best size for you in terms of diameter. To give yourself the best chance of buying a hoop with the correct diameter, measure from the floor to your navel and purchase a diameter as close to that height as possible.
Most hula hoops are made of plastic or foam materials that are both comfortable and durable. Some brands manufacture their hula hoops with just plastic material. Although such hula hoops are durable, they tend to bruise and cause sores easily, and hence cannot be used for an extended period of time. Other brands outfit their hula hoops with an outer foam covering and an inner plastic core, but such foam coverings are light and often tear easily. There are a few hula hoops that are made with EVA foam all through and these types are more durable and comfortable than others.
Performance and Ease of Use
Hula hoops are really simple and easy to use (with a little tutoring for beginners) and can be enjoyed by both the young and old. Most brands include an instructional video DVD on hula hooping along with the hula hoop so you can learn how to hoop on your own. It doesn’t take much to maintain the hoop and it stores away easily, depending on the design.
For better and easy storage, most brands design their hula hoops in detachable sections so you can assemble and disassemble the unit at will and when needed. This feature ensures that you store the hula hoop away safely and compactly instead of leaving it lying around, constituting an obstacle and nuisance. It also means that you can take it along with you when traveling.
Some hula hoops are designed to perform additional functions apart from toning and strengthening the abdominal muscles. Some of them have contours or textured inner circumference that act as massagers and also improve grip and circulation. A number of hula hoops come with weighted and non-weighted sections that you can combine for various exercises and activities.
Many children’s hoops are water hula hoops that enable them do tricks and have additional fun while using them. There are hula hoops that are designed with air-filled extrusions from the inner circumference with a muscle-loosening and soothing effect, increasing the value derived from its use.
To make a good purchasing decision, there are some factors you need to consider, like the weight and diameter of the hula hoop. Having gone through our buying guide, we are sure that choosing the right hula hoop will now be a breezy affair for you. So let’s head over to our individual product review section so you can have a look at our top picks for the day.
Features
For over 35 years, US Games has been committed to ensuring that kids get the best in physical education and sports. They pride themselves on their high-quality products and are all about crafting cool sporting activities that kids enjoy in and out of PE class. This is one brand that’s completely devoted to the proper physical development of children.
US Games’ Standard Hoop (Selling for $43.99 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a pack of multicolored, versatile hoops that can be used for more than just hula hooping. With this hoop, you get a fun and safe way to learn balance, posture, coordination, and rhythm. These hoops are a good way for beginners to learn hula hooping. For children, it promises a delightful play session as it can be used as targets, hop and jump rings, races, and so much more.
Features
Founded nearly five years ago, Dynamis seeks to keep the average fitness enthusiast supplied with quality weight loss products and exercise equipment at affordable prices. Each of their products is subjected to intensive testing for long periods of time before they’re released on the market. Through their extensive testing process, Dynamis ensures that their customers are getting equipment that’s both high quality and safe.
The Dynamis Heavy Weighted Hula Hoop (Selling for $44.99 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) has six detachable green, orange, and gray colored sections. This hula hoop allows you to have fun while improving your balance. It’s made of high-grade plastic that’s cushioned with foam padding to reduce the impact of the hoop on your thighs, waist, and core. Because the hoop is weighted, you can tone both your lower body (glutes, thighs, and core) as well as your upper (shoulders, triceps, and biceps)!. It’s a great way to improve endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
Features
Ron Klint, the founder of Canyon Hoops, got inspired to make his hoops when he went on a trip with his friends down the Colorado River. It’s been more than a decade since that trip, and today, he runs Canyon Hoops with his wife. Together, they have shipped over 25,000 hoops locally and internationally. Canyon Hoops continues to deliver its collection of hoops and fitness gear to both newbies and seasoned pros worldwide.
The Fitness Hula Hoop by Canyon Hoops (Selling for $39.99 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) features a heavy-duty, 200-250 psi polyethylene tubing for strength and balanced weight. With six color combinations and two cool patterns, this hoop is one of the most attractive and distinctive. Its easy-to-assemble, snap button connectors make beginning and ending your workout session a breeze. It’s also covered by a 30 day, money-back guarantee!
Features
Geospace was founded in 1985 by a young mom and her product, space marbles. They’re actually called magnetic marbles, but since their debut in space on a NASA shuttle mission, they’ve been called space marbles. Since then, Geospace has grown to include a number of exciting and educational children’s games, including the popular, award-winning Word Spin. Geospace continues in its inventive toy manufacturing way even today.
Geospace’s Snap and Go Hula Hoop (Selling for $11.99 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is an impressively new take on the conventional hula hoop. With its motion-activated LEDs, kids literally keep the light shining with a continuous rotation of the hoop, which is a great way to keep them active. The hoop doesn’t need batteries to run, and its easy assembly and disassembly make it a cinch to put together, take apart, and store. For kids six and above, this hoop is sure to bring them hours of fitness joy!
With such a wealth of information, we know you’re ready to get your hoop on! … Okay, that was bad, but don’t let our bad ‘90s joke distract you from purchasing your desired hula hoop! Was your favorite hoop one of our favorites, too? If it wasn’t, that’s okay— we know the one you pick will be a great choice!
