How to Hula-Hoop
Hula-hooping isn't just for kids. It's a fun and exciting way to stay in shape.
You Will Need
- Athletic clothing
- A hula-hoop
- Ample room
- Upbeat music (optional) (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Wear athletic clothes
Wear form-fitting athletic clothing. Baggy or loose clothing may slow the hula hoop's rotation.
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Step 2
Get it going
With one foot in front of you, place the hoop against your back at waist height, wind it back, and then push it firmly counter-clockwise.
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Choose a hoop whose diameter reaches from the ground to between your waist and mid-chest. Larger hoops rotate more slowly and are easier for beginners.
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Step 3
Push and shift
Push your stomach forward with a pumping motion as the hoop rolls across your stomach and back as it moves across your back. Shift your weight between your front and back legs.
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Step 4
Find your direction
Spin the hoop in the opposite direction to find which direction feels natural. Right-handed people usually prefer rotating the hoop counter-clockwise, while lefties prefer clockwise.
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Step 5
Speed up and slow down
Shift your weight between your feet more quickly or pump your torso faster back and forth to increase rotation speed.
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Use a heavier, weighted hoop for a more intense workout and a smaller, lighter hoop for doing tricks.
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Step 6
Turn your body
Slowly turn your body in the direction that the hoop is spinning, taking small steps as the hoop hits your back.
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Join a hoop-dancing class to increase your hooping skills and to interact with fellow hoopers.
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Step 7
Booty bump
Experiment with tricks like the booty bump: slow the rotation of the hoop until it rolls down just below your hips, then speed up to keep the hoop rotating there.
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The Hula-Hoop was introduced in 1958 and took the nation by storm with an estimated 100 million hoops sold in four months.
