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Hoop Making, Hoop Making Information, Hoop Making Supplies, Hoop Sizing, Hooping and life wisdom, Hooping flow, Hooping For Health, Hoopologie Team

Reasons to Start Hula Hooping Today!

Let’s face it… Over the last year we have all seen our lives come to a grinding halt in more ways than one. Many people are spending more time at home than ever. Some folks are home working, others have become homeschool teachers and cafeteria staff, and many have found it increasingly more difficult to get the exercise they want. With gyms around the country operating at minimum capacity, a cautious hesitation to spend too much time around others, and a household to run, you may be wondering how you can find an exercise to get you going. Well, we have one idea that will get you moving and having fun.

It is a great way to exercise.

It’s probably been a few years since you picked up a hula hoop and gave it a spin, but any old hoop won’t do. One of the best ways to set yourself up for a successfully hula hoop journey is to make sure you are using a hoop that is the correct size for you. When holding the hoop up beside you, it should reach your waist. Your best bet is to make your own beginner hula hoop.

Once you’ve got your hands on your dream hoop, the fun part gets to start. Before beginning any exercise routine, it is important to stretch your arms, legs, back, and torso. You should be able to notice a difference in your posture and positioning once you’re limber and relaxed. Swing the hoop around your waist and shift your weight back and forth, building momentum as the hoop spins around you. Start slowly and give yourself plenty of space to find your rhythm and flow. As you continue to practice each day, be conscious of working yourself up to 30 minutes of active hooping.

image of Woman in meditative position in front of sun approaching flow state

The surprising perks to consider.

In the event you still are not convinced that hooping is for you, we have a few more reasons you’ll join the fun soon enough. The benefits of hula hooping cannot be debated. If you pick one up and dedicate a little time to it each day, you will quickly see a difference.

Burn loads of calories.

Did you know you could be burning up to 450 calories after an hour of hula hooping? With traditional gym and exercise routines, you’ll be lucky to burn 300 calories per workout… That’s a huge difference! Anyone trying to drop a significant amount of weight or looking for ways to get your heart rate up, hooping is the solution for you.

Help alleviate back pain.

Do you suffer from back issues and pain? If the answer is yes, you have certainly tried your fair share of options to find relief. One of the major proponents of back pain is poor posture; what starts as sore shoulders will seemingly stretch down your back before you know what happened. Hula hooping is a fantastic way to practice proper posture while strengthening your core muscles. You’ll notice right away it is virtually impossible to hoop when you are slouched over!

Enhance your mind and body connection.

Meditation is an exceptional way to refocus your mind, clear out negative thoughts, and spend some time in your own mind – peacefully. Some of us may struggle to find the calm through traditional meditation practices, but the combination of aerobics, mental focus, and rhythmic movements is a sure way to help quiet the outside world. Any opportunity to find a way to lower stress levels while getting your heart pumping is worth a shot.

Don’t wait – get yourself a hula hoop today!

We all have a lot to keep track of during our daily lives, and for many of us, our exercise routines are the first things to go. Juggling day-to-day tasks, running errands, paying bills, and making time to swing by the gym may not be very practical, but who needs to hassle with a gym when you can exercise right at home. Get your family involved and make it an activity everyone will enjoy. Before you know it, you’ll be raving about the benefits of hooping. What is your favorite part of hula hooping? What made you get started?

Hoopmakers University
A comprehensive guide for hoopsmiths and hoopers – answering all of your questions from deciphering sizing of tubing, tubing types, how to create the perfect connection, the tools you’ll need to create a hoop, and beyond!!


Hoop Making, Hoop Making Information, Hoop Making Supplies, Hoop Sizing, Hooping and life wisdom, Hooping flow, Hooping For Health, Hoopologie Team

Hula Hooping: Find Your Inspiration

Welcome Hoopers!

Whether you are just starting out with hula hooping, or you’ve become a master, you may find there are days you just don’t feel like getting up and moving. Maybe you’ve had a long week, you’re feeling especially tired, and the house needs to be cleaned… You have just got too much to do! But putting yourself first is a priority and when you find yourself in a rut, it can seem impossible to find the motivation you need. Well, grab your hula hoop and get yourself pumped about hooping! We’ve got a few ideas we’re certain you’ll enjoy.

Use a hoop you love.

If you’ve never taken the time to create your own custom hoop, you are missing out on a genuinely exciting experience. When you buy a hula hoop from a hobby or craft store, there are limited options available. Making your own hula hoop is an easy project anyone can do. You’ll need a few supplies to get started, but don’t fret, Hoopologie has got everything you need – and then some.

Add a personal touch to your hula hoop.

Hoop tape has a variety of functions other than being aesthetically pleasing. In fact, there are infinite choices when you start looking. Some tapes help the user to grip the hoop while dancing and others add a protective layer so you don’t have to worry about dings and scrapes on your hula hoop. Gaffer, reflective, and mirror tapes are often used to enhance the personality of your hula hoop and come in every color you can imagine. We’ll show you everything you need to know about hula hoop take and how to take your hoop to the next level.

Amanda Brewer – @misshoopdido

Create a playlist of tunes.

Have you ever attended a music and art festival or outdoor concert? You’ll be hard pressed to miss the group of folks’ hula hooping and dancing through the crowd. Music is great for the soul and is an exceptional way to tap into all kinds of emotions and bottled up energy. When you add a physical activity to the mix, like hula hooping, you’re opening yourself up to a brand-new experience. Opening your mind and losing yourself in your activity is a great way to tap into your flow state.

Find your hoop space.

Getting into your element makes a big difference. If you normally enjoy spending your time outside in the sunshine, you may find it is easier to find your groove when you hoop in your favorite places. Set your thoughts aside, find your happy place, and express yourself in a way that makes your feel good – mentally and physically. There are many benefits of hula hooping you may not have considered! So, get your heart rate up, your hips moving, and take your hoop on an adventure!

We are passionate about hooping!

At Hoopologie, we are inspired by love, creativity, and FLOW. Sharing our passion for hula hooping with you is at the core of who we are. We want to hear from you so leave a comment! What inspires you?

Hoopmakers University
A comprehensive guide for hoopsmiths and hoopers – answering all of your questions from deciphering sizing of tubing, tubing types, how to create the perfect connection, the tools you’ll need to create a hoop, and beyond!!


Community, Hoop Making, Hoop Making Information, Hoop Making Supplies

The Basics of Hula Hoop Tape

If you’re new to the sport of hula hooping, you may have noticed how many people have fancy, flashy tape on their hoops. Certainly you’ve asked yourself, “what’s up with that?” Aside from enhancing their aesthetics, there are several reasons to add tape to your favorite hoop. Getting started can seem intimidating, but we are here to guide you through the process!

What are my options?

If you have ever had a hula hoop fall down on you or have struggled to keep the hoop going for very long, you need some tape! Most hoops are made out of sleek plastic and provide very little surface area to grip. Over the years, hoopers have answered the call and come up with a genius – yet simple – solution. Tape.

There are a few common types of tape that are used on hula hoops, but there are three types of tape to get familiar with:

  • Vinyl tape – or electrical tape. This is extremely durable, long lasting, and readily available which is why it is such a popular choice. You can change this tape out whenever the mood strikes.
  • Gaffer tape – commonly known as “grip” tape because of its textured surface. This is a great solution for slippery hoops or for anyone who struggles to get the hoop to stay up on their hips.
  • Deco tape – sometimes called metallic tape. This is the kind of tape you will notice from a mile away. It is super sparkly, draws attention, and comes in a large variety of patterns and colors.

Other noteworthy tapes include:

  • Crystal Clear Protection tape – This is a wonderful tape for layering over decorative or vinyl tapes to help them last longer and to preserve your hoop.
  • 3M Grip tape – This type of grip tape is very soft, durable, abrasion resistant, and protects the hoop from damaging drops or bounces on hard surfaces.

I found my tape… Now what?

Great! Making a selection can often be the biggest challenge you face. If you’ve ever worked on another arts and craft project, you know you usually need more supplies than you think you do. Instead of buying too many or too few, try our Hoop Tape Calculator and determine exactly how much you need to get your project done.

Once you’ve got your tape, the real fun can begin. A lot of this is trial and error, playing around with types of tape, and finding the feel you like best. Layering and taping takes practice, but you’ve made it this far, and you will master this before you know it.

How to Tape a Hula Hoop

Now get out there and get hoopin’!

Community, Hoop Making, Hoop Making Information, Hoop Making Supplies, Hooping For Health

Hoop Making & Hooping, A Perfect Stay-At-Home Activity

Hooping is an activity for everyone.

As we all continue to hunker down, you may have found yourself asking how you’ll be able to entertain your family, let alone yourself! Have you considered hula hooping or hoop making as your next avenue to fun? Whether you are looking for something new to keep you active or introduce your kids to something new, you will soon discover why so many people enjoy hooping.

Aside from being a fun way to spend your time, there are many benefits to hula hooping including mental coordination and physical fitness.

Find your creative side.

There is a lot more to hula hooping than just spinning a hoop around your body. It’s an expression of who you are and the passion you feel inside. Your energy is colorful and flows from within you; your hula hoop should match. One of the most exciting parts of starting on this adventure is finding a hoop that represents you as an individual. Which hula hoop is right for you? The options are endless!

Finding the right dance hoop size is the first place to get started. Just like any sport, having the proper equipment, that fits you, and is comfortable to use will make a huge difference in your overall experience. It may look intimidating when you see how many options exist, but getting the proper size established is universally important. Traditional hula hoops are large, but over the generations, we have embraced all sizes! Right now, you may be looking for a good beginner hula hoop, but before too long you may be ready to ignite your excitement with a fire hoop.

Truly… The choices are incredible!

You are not limited to prebuilt, off the shelf hula hoops. If you don’t see any that call your name, you can easily make your own Polypro Hula Hoop at home. With some simple supplies, you’ll be crafting a masterpiece before you know it. On top of doing this for you, your whole family can spend the day making a hula hoop they can use for years to come.

Where can I learn more about Hoop Making?

You can find all of the videos you’ll need to help you craft you own hoop by visiting the HOOPMAKERS University page. With dozens of hours of tutorials, explanations of pieces, and instructions, you’ll find an answer to any questions along the way.

Still have questions? Check out some of the Common Questions and Answers Regarding Hoop Making and challenge us to answer any question you may still have! At Hoopologie, hula hooping is our passion, and a joy we hope to share with the world. Together, we can spin your world around.

Hoop Making, Hoop Making Information, Hoop Making Supplies, Hooping and life wisdom, Hoopologie Team

Common Questions Regarding Hoop Making Supplies

Beginning your hoop-making journey can be a little intimidating, but fret not! We are here to help you make this as easy as possible while answering many of the basic questions you might have as you start out.

Supplies Needed for Making Hoops

–       TubingHoop Making Tools

–       Pipe cutters

–       Riveter

–       Handheld power drill or drill press

–       Drill bits

–       Push buttons

–       Rivets

–       Tape measure

–       Super glue (to glue gaffer tape ends down – optional)

–            Other supplies you may need depending on the type of hoop you are making include decorative tape, 3M crystal clear protection tape to cover decorative tape, and gaffer tape or 3M grip tape to add grip to a hoop. Gaffer adds a nice subtle grip, while 3M grip tape provides a super grip that many people love. Some people prefer to have their hoop bare with no grip, and others may prefer to have the hoop sanded with sandpaper or waxed with hoop wax for a more natural grip that doesn’t add any weight to the hoop.

Extra Info on Rivets, Snap Buttons, and Drill Bits

Rivets are used to secure one side of the insert piece to the hoop, while push buttons are used on the other side of the insert piece to make a hoop collapsible. The push button allows you open up the hoop and coil it down for travel! While push buttons are not necessary, they are used in most hoop connections for convenience in shipping and traveling.

Snap Button Sizes:16722554_10211755333659835_2051387370843782493_o

Extra Small snaps are for 1/2″ hoops (3/8” insert material)

Small snaps are for 5/8″ hoops (1/2” insert material)

Medium snaps are for 3/4″ hoops (5/8” insert material)

Large snaps are for 7/8″ and larger PE hoops (3/4” insert material and larger)

Universal Straight Leg snaps are for 5/8” and 3/4″ hoops (1/2” and 5/8” insert material)

 

Small Coil vs. Large Coil & How to Stretch and Store Tubing

Small coil is wound on a smaller hub, so the diameter of the coil is much smaller and can fit in a smaller box- the main reason the cost is much lower. Large coils are larger in diameter and make it much easier to make larger hoops out of since you do not need to stretch the tubing.

Large Coil

Large Coil

Most people, however, still choose to use small coil and stretch it out themselves. This can be done by opening the coil of tubing as soon as you receive it (cut the tape and ties off). Many people leave the coil flat on the floor to expand on it’s own, which works great for HDPE tubing. For polypro tubing you may need to coil the tubing around a large object such as a box, etc…

Whatever coil size you choose, make sure to cut the flat parts off both ends of the tubing. This wastage is common in hoop making and each coil is a few feet longer than 100’ to allow for these flat parts to be cut off. Coils should be stored reconnected with a piece of insert material to keep the round shape of the ends, and can be stored flat on the ground or you can hang them with bungee cords on a rack!

Small Coil

Small Coil

Additional information regarding tubing sizes and the comparison of Polypro & HDPE can be found in our guide here!

Insert Material

There are various types of insert material available in the hoop world today. The most popular type of connector is polycarb, for it provides a very straight and sturdy connection so that the hoop will not bend at the connector. Polypro and HDPE may also be used in hoops that won’t quite work with polycarb inserts, and can make great connections as well.

As always, please feel free to contact us with additional questions. We are here to help at all points in your hoop making journey!