By Janelle Davis, CNN
A surge in demand
Companies selling hoops have reported an increase in demand. Hoopologie, based in Boulder, Colorado, had a 25% increase in sales during the pandemic in 2020, according to founder Melinda Rider.
“TikTok introduced many to this art and exercise activity,” Rider said.
There are three types of hooping trending right now.
The version you’re used to doing as a child is called on-body. With this style, the hoop spins around the waist, chest, shoulders, arms, knees and really any body part. Through a series of moves, these hoopers transition the hoop from one body part to another in one seemingly effortless motion.
Presnell specializes in off-body hooping, which has become more popular during the pandemic. It involves tossing, flipping and catching the hoop. Picture dancing but with the added complexity of a hoop being flung and caught while grooving. “It’s a lot of fun, fast moves that, when you’re watching, you’re like, ‘what just happened?’” Presnell explained.
Finally, there is weighted hooping. These hoops are large and can weigh up to 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms). Weighted hoops are used as a fitness routine to strengthen abdominal muscles. These hoops are designed to stay around your waist.
—Excerpt from CNN Article
5 tips for beginners
Before you dust off your old Hula-Hoop, read Presnell’s (@lilhoopgirl) top tips:
1. Dress for success: When you are using a hoop, wear close-fitting athleisure attire. You’ll want to get skin contact with the hoop, so tank tops and shorts are ideal. Remember, hooping is an art form, so wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
2. Choose the right hoop for your style: No, you cannot just grab the one you used as a child – those typically have water or sand for weight, so the hoop is wobbly and off-centered.
There are specific hoops designed for specific purposes. As a beginner, you’ll need to start with a bigger hoop to master the basic moves. The bigger your hoop, the slower it rotates. That makes it easier to learn. The right hoop size for you should hit your belly button when you stand the hoop upright from the floor.
For on-body moves, Presnell recommends starting with a 36- to 40-inch (91.4- to 107-centimeter) hoop that’s weighted and taped. It might sound counterintuitive, but heavier hoops are easier to keep up. If you plan to try off-body moves, get a lighter and smaller hoop. She recommends a 29- to 30-inch (74- to 76.2-centimeter) polypropylene hoop that is about 0.75 inch (1.9 centimeters) in width.
3. Get the body ready before picking up the hoop: Before you start hooping, Santas recommends warming up. Put your hands on your hips and slowly move your hips in a circle, in both directions. “Warm up your hips and your core first, before trying this dynamic movement,” Santas said.
Make sure you stand up straight and tall. Your weight should be centered with your feet shoulder width apart, and your hoop should be parallel to the ground before releasing.
4. Master the waist spin first: As you spin the hoop around your waist, keep your legs as still as you can and pulse your waist forward to backward in a rhythmic fashion. When the hoop starts to drop (and it will), move faster and harder to push it back up. Focus on your four contact points: left hip, right hip, back and front.
5. Give these tricks a whirl: Once you get a good flow, practice a two-handed isolation. This is when the hoop stays still as your hands lightly circle the inside of the hoop. This creates an illusion that the hoop is defying gravity. “It’s like the hoop is just floating in one circle while your hands are doing all the work,” Presnell said.
For an on-body move, try the upward escalator – when the hoop twirls up around your body with one flick of the hand. Start with the hoop in front of you around one foot, then push the hoop up with the other hip, and the hoop will spiral up your body until you can catch it by your head.
—Excerpt from CNN Article
Hoopologie Beginner Hoops
Travel hoops: are fully collapsible hoops that come with 6 hoop segments and a strap for easy storage and travel. These hoops allow the hooper to adjust the hoop from a 42″ hoop (with all of the segments connected) to a 37″ hoop (with one segment removed) when you’re ready for a bit more of a challenge. These hoops are apx 1.5lbs and come in 3 color combinations (black/silver, blue/silver, & pink/gold).
Beginner Fitness Hoop: options range in weight from apx 1lb-1.5lbs, at their heaviest, and are all handmade, to-order here at our warehouse (meaning there is an apx 3-5 business day build time to complete these + shipping times). The standard adult hoop is a 40″ diameter hoop, made with the recommended 1″ tubing and are crafted with a single piece of tubing and a connection point that allows the hooper to partially coil the hoop down and take on-the-go or for temporary storage.
Adult Budget Hoop: A simplified version of the beginner fitness hoops above and are a bit more budget friendly for the hooper looking to try it out and see if it is something they’d like to stick with. You just pick the color and we do the rest!
Feel free to reach out to the Hoopologie Team with your questions
and recommendation inquiries @ [email protected].
