HULA Hoop

Lets face it WORKING OUT can get downright BORING day after day. I have my "usual go-to" workouts but I LOVE to find new ways to mix it up every so often.

New Workout of the Week: THE SPORTS HULA HOOP!

Weighted Hula Hoops (typically around 2-3lbs) are readily available in stores (Target, Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods) or online (Amazon.com). When buying a hoop it is important to get the right size. If you hold the hoop in your hands and lower it to touch the ground, the top of the hoop should reach your stomach.

(Amazon.com)

Due to the weight of these hoops they revolve more slowly around the body requiring greater core stability. They are also great for cardio... believe me you will wonder how you ever hula hooped for hours on end as a kid!

Many cities are now offering Fitness Hula Hoop classes, but if you would rather HOOP in the privacy of your own home there are many great Hula Hoop DVDs out there too. I recommend the company "Sports Hoop" which has  several DVDs with different length and intensity of workouts.

(Amazon Webstore)

Just a few of the benefits FITNESS HULA HOOPING is thought to provide for you:

Massages your intestines and organs as it circles your waist

Allows for meditative time

Gets your heart rate up

Increases the fitness level of the entire body

Increases the flow of blood to the brain

Increases energy level

Improves coordination

Strengthens torso muscles

Enhances spinal flexibility

Here are a few tips from www.exercise.lovetoknow.com on HOW to workout with your hula hoop if you choose to fly solo without a class or DVD:

How to Exercise with a Hula Hoop

Once you've purchased the right size hoop, it's time to start the fun. If you used a hoop as a kid, it might not come back quite as easily as riding a bike, but with a little practice you'll get the hang of it.

Waist

The key is to put one foot in front of the other instead of standing with your feet side-by-side. Start with the hoop against your back at your waist. Give it a gentle push to start the rotation around your waist and shift your weight back and forth between your front and back foot to keep the hula hoop moving. Don't move your hips in a circle to keep it rotating because the opposite will happen. As you shift your weight back and forth, your hips make more of a rocking motion than a circular movement. Keeping the hoop twirling around your waist is the most important of the hula hoop exercises. In fact, if you're strictly using the hula hoop for exercise and don't have a lot of time, this is the only exercise that's needed. It can be used anywhere and your waistline will really show improvement as the unwanted fat burns off the midriff and the stomach muscles tighten.

Arms

To use the hula hoop to tone muscles in the arms, extend your arm to the side and roll the hoop around your arm in a circular motion. The idea is to keep the hoop moving around your arm. This exertion works to firm and melt body fat.

Legs

You can do a similar exercise for the legs. To avoid losing your balance, lie on your back to work the legs. With one leg perpendicular to the floor, or at a slight angle, start the hoop spinning around your extended leg and keep it spinning for one to two minutes.

Hips

Stand in a standard position, but instead of spinning the hoop around your waist, work it around your hips.

(Beautytiptoday.com)