Keeping Up the Hula Hoop: No Experience Necessary
If you are wondering if you have to know how to hula hoop before taking my class, the answer is no. Several people have said to me that when they tried to hula hoop at home, the hoop would not stay up on the waist. In most cases, they were using a child-size hoop. The hoops used in my WindUpFIT classes are large, weighted, and specifically geared toward fitness. These hoops allow you the opportunity to really activate the proper muscles for hooping. So, stop worrying and try the following exercises.
The Type of Hula Hoop to Use
The type of hula hoop you use is very important. The best hoops are weighted (no more than 2 lbs.) and are large enough to go around your waist (it should stand at least belly-button height). Anything heavier will stay up, but you will not be able to hoop for long periods of time, and it may cause bruising. The Infinity Collapsible Weighted Exercise Travel Hula Hoops by Canyon Hoops is my preferred hula hoop to work with.
Hooping Instructions
Foot placement is very important when learning how to hula hoop. You have the “basic side stance” and the “forward front stance”:
- The Basic Side Stance: If you hoop from right to left, your power points are the “front right side of the waist” and the “back left side of the waist.” If you hoop from left to right, your power points are the “front left side of the waist” and the “back right side of the waist.” Your push will be from side to side.
- The Forward Front Stance (one foot in front of the other): Your push is “front to back” coming from the belly button and middle back (creating a rhythmic rocking motion may help with this). It doesn’t matter which foot is in the front. Just try the “right foot front” and then the “left foot front.”
- In order to feel your power points, stand comfortably and close your eyes while rotating the hoop around your waist. In this exercise, do not push into the hoop, instead give your hoop a steady wind up. The hoop will rotate a couple of times before it begins to fall (catch it before it hits the ground, or worse, your feet!).
- Now do it again without pushing. Feel where the hoop hits the waist. After doing that a few times, add the push. Chances are you will have found the connection.
- Now, keep the rhythm with your hoop. FYI: I have tried this with my class and find that when I tell them NOT to push, they push. And it is at that point they feel the connection and continue hooping. That’s because there is the understanding that the body has to be doing something in order to keep the hula hoop rotating. If it keeps falling, don’t give up. Just relax and keep trying!