Weighted hula hoop

[PoptartPoptart]

Has anyone got any experience using a weighted hula hoop for exercise / weight loss?
Is it easy? Would you recommend it? Realistically how long do you have to do to see results?
And last question.. can anyone recommend the best one to get? There are lots to choose from on Amazon

They are quite fun to use but they won't make any real difference to your shape. From a cardio perspective they are as strenuous as taking a walk, and there's no mechanism by which they can make your waist smaller just by pressure.

Honest review: I used to have one years ago. It gave me loads of bruises as I was starting out. Made zero difference to my shape and eventually the kids took it outside and it became a garden toy.

I used to love mine. Maybe it's not anymore strenuous than going for a walk, but I really did feel like it improved the suppleness of my spine and toned my midriff. I used to like messing around with it in the garden, trying little routines. Not possible to get bored with a hulahoop. A large hoop will give you a slower revolution; you have to flick faster with a smaller hoop. The hoops which come in clippy sections can sometimes be used in two sizes, which can be useful.

Yeah, it’s probably going to hurt quite a lot (and even bruise you) at first. I think they’re good and really seemed to help pull in my stomach. Not sure about weight loss, though.

It’s enjoyable too if you put on some music (and get a disco light 😃).

I’ve got this one: https://amzn.eu/d/fGmrr6q

I REALLY didn’t get on with the one that has a swinging weight on it, though.

It was hard to keep it moving, and it really hurt! I gave up on mine before I ever started to enjoy it or feel like I was getting any exercise.

Those of you saying it hurt - do you think that’s because it is weighted?
I’ve only ever hula hooped using a normal kids type hula hoop and it’s never hurt or caused bruising 🤷‍♀️
Do you think a regular hula hoop would be just as good as a weighted one??

No, a weighted one is better, I think, because you work your core muscles harder.

I’d say, for the first few times, wear a couple of tops while your body gets used to the hoop. The pain doesn’t go on for ever. Only the first few times. Then it’s all positive 😃

Thanks - I’ll have a look.
How long would you say you have to use it daily to get any benefits? Is it hard work (like skipping?)

A couple of years ago I did 1 minute of weighted hoop a day (I was just trying to be able to do it properly and started with an easy amount of time to stick to! I could manage ten or twenty seconds at a time by the end). For the same month I was also photographing my daily outfit.

It was clear in photos at the end of the month that my "muffin top" was reduced. I didn't keep it going after the month but I wish I had. While not weight loss it did make a visible difference.

I love mine. I have a Powerhoop which is a beast of a thing, much bigger and heavier than my previous weighted hoop.

I don’t know what other people expect from them - I do know that using one strengthened my core. Long ago it enabled me to wear high heels easily (when heels were everyday wear).

With regular use I could actually see the muscles developing across my middle, which was gratifying. It gave me a defined waist and svelte thighs. And was great fun to use - it brought joy and made me smile. You’re correct that a heavy weighted hoop is similar in effort to a skipping rope - and the more you do it the easier it gets.

(I’m currently not able to use mine and miss them both very much.)

Seriously
what is the physiological mechanism by which 1 minute of pressure for 30 days can reduce fat or whatever it is you claim happened on a human body to such an extent that a difference is visible?! If that were possible nobody would be lifting heavy weights and running hours on treadmills to lose weight. If your body changed shape it was for another reason.

I used to go to powerhoop classes at the sports centre but now the classes have all gone. I have a 5lb old style powerhoop in the spare room. Was looking back old posts and I got it for Christmas in 2012!

I think it helps define your waist and tone your muffin top. Havent hooped for years now. Raked it out during covid as I found my instructor had powerhoop workouts on youtube

Gosh, this brought back memories! I loved my weighted hula hoop! It was so fun, not sure it helped with weight loss though! I would recommend for fun though.

I saw you ask about comparison with skipping, i would say it’s not at all strenuous but I’m sure there are ways to make it more so. I had a fairly large hoop so that might make a difference? It was very easy, but I do remember the bruising at the start but that went so quickly I wouldn’t have remembered it if not for this thread.

Our powerhoop classes used to be a full body workout and wasn't all hooping. Can use it for arm exercises, support when squatting/lunging, use it for core exercises, etc. I miss the classes, were good fun and hard work

I never attended classes - to me the advantage of a hoop was that I could use it at home.

Really interesting thanks all.
I’m still unsure which hoop to buy, I don’t want anything too heavy but I do want it weighted, and I need it to be adjustable as my 20 yr old son might also use it (he’s 6ft, I’m 5’3 lol 😂)

Let him buy his own!

While they are adjustable, it’s enough of a faff that you’d end up never bothering to use it at all.

If you haven’t used an adult size before you’re probably better with one of the more moderately weighted and priced versions. Try that for six months or so to see if you actually enjoy it. The power hoop might be a bit daunting.

I have no idea! Biology and sports science definitely aren't my strong points! But there was definitely a small change! 😊