Can you recommend a weighted hula hoop?

[Embark]

I had one before and loved it but left me so bruised it hurt. I have since bought one of those ones that are right around your waist and you sling the sort of weighted ball around but it was useless, the ball thing won’t keep moving no matter what I do (I can hula hoop very well for quite a long time!).

So I’m think back to old school but is there one better than others that won’t leave me bruised and sore?

I bought a Davina McCall weighted hula hoop a few years ago.There's thick foam padding round it all and I've never had an issue with bruising.

I had the original powerhoop but think there's a deluxe one now. I did get bruising the first couple of times I used it but then I was ok after that

Ok thanks I’ll have a look at those

Your body will adjust to the bruising. I have an old weighted hula hoop. Don't even know the brand. To begin with I was bruises and quite sore. But I don't get bruises at all now. And I can hula hoop with just a sports bra and leggings (so bare midriff). X

@astridpeth do you do it regularly? The instructions say to begin with 3 mins a day for I think 2 weeks to avoid bruising etc and to be fair 3 minutes and I’m done! Do you notice a difference in your body? I don’t want to lose weight but need to tone up! I used to do it really well but I’m struggling to keep the momentum going around my middle for long .

@Embark at the minute I'm doing it everyday for 30 mins. (I've got 2 weeks off work) but realistically it is 3/4 times a week. I was like that to begin with couldn't keep it up for long at all. Now I can go 30 minutes without dropping it and am able to add in arm movements and leg movements. My tummy is more toned and my core feels stronger. But yes, build it up gradually, you will be amazed how easy it becomes and I am completely uncoordinated usually. 2 left feet lol. So I've I can do it anyone can! I love how easy it is. I whack on some 80's tunes, set my timer and I'm off.

@astridpeth 30 minutes non stop?!? You must have abs of steel!! That’s impressive. I can’t even do 3 minutes 🤣 how far apart are your feet? I automatically go further than I think I should? Wider feels more natural but I think they are only supposed to be hip width apart? I find the hoop hurts when it bashes on my legs/shins when it falls!

Yep 30 mins without dropping it at all. But like I said I was dropping it all the time when I first started. Once you've got a rhythm going it does get easier. Hence me building in extra exercises while I'm doing it. Arms aren't too bad but I'm finding foot work a bit of a struggle as my hoop loses momentum a bit. I would say my feet are about shoulder with apart, maybe a bit more but you can play with what suits you. If I'm using resistance bands on my legs they will be slightly further apart as I like to feel the burn in my legs too. Not sure about abs of steel lol. I've lost almost 6 stone since last March (not just through hooping) so there is a bit of tidying up in my midsection to go yet. Looking so much better though.

When I did classes you stood with your right foot forward if hooping to the right and left forward if hooping left. You use a backwards and forwards motion rather than circular or side to side motion.

Hoola hoop classes you say?! Wow they would be fun! I can only spin it to the left. When I try to spin it to the right I can’t quite get it so I’m trying to get a better spin and then try to master going the other way

It was powerhoop classes I did but they have disappeared now. You can use the hoop for arm exercises and support doing squats too. There's videos on YouTube of workouts

@dementedpixie @astridpeth also what do you do with your legs? Keep them straight? I find if I bend my knees a bit and do a fake pretend little walk so bend the knees alternatively I can keep it going longer but I don’t want to create bad habits

@Embark it all depends what I'm doing tbh re legs. Sometimes I add in side steps or walk around with my hoop (so knees would definitely be more involved), other times I'm just working on my arms. Either way I wouldn't lock out your legs. Oh and I still haven't mastered spinning to the right! I have tried but finding it a real struggle.

Have you tried standing with your right foot in front when hooping to the right?

I just can’t do it the other way I’m going to try to get better at it then conquer the other way. Today I kept it up much longer. Although it felt very tender from the beginning!

I find that I am better at keeping up a heavier hoop as it goes a bit slower.

I was wondering about the weight. Mine is for beginners and is 1.2 kg….

The powerhoop I had came in a 4lb and 5lb version. I got on better with the 5lb one. Apparently that 2.268kg
4lb is 1.8kg

Maybe you need a heavier hoop

I’ve just got a weighted hoop. I definitely recommend building up slowly. I didn’t and ended with a huge, impressive bruise around my waist.

I looked at YouTube to teach me how to hula hoop. They all said to use a larger, rather than smaller hoop.

I was reading about the size based on your height? I’m short so I took one of the parts out of it as it suggested you could do that. Tomorrow I might try adding it to see if that makes a difference. Today it felt bruised and sore whilst I was hooping… or hulaing…or hula hooping whatever the correct term is. So I have been doing it for 5 days, I guess I’m toughening up… no physical bruise but hurts inside!

I do 5 to 10 mins about 3 times a week, yes I got so sore around the middle at first, I had to tie a towel round my middle to be able to do it but it does pass.