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Changing your workout routine makes exercising more enjoyable. If you feel bored with your current workouts but want to continue targeting your abs, a hula hoop could solve your problems. Weighted hula hoops work when people use them to get stronger, depending on their weight and the exercise they try.
Weighted hula hoops look exactly like those you may have used in elementary school. However, those were light because the plastic tubes were full of air. Hula hoops made for workouts contain materials like sand or hard plastic. It gives them varied weights, depending on your abdominal strength.
When you start rotating your hips in a circular direction to keep your weighted hula hoop swirling around your midsection, you’ll likely notice your heart rate increase. The muscles in your abs and lower back exert more energy to keep the heavier hoop in the air.
Weighted hula hoops do work if you want to make your lower back stronger to achieve better lumbar support. You can also lose some weight with hula hoop workouts because they combine light cardio with muscle training. However, you might get more noticeable results by interchanging your hula hoop days with other weight-loss exercises like high-intensity cardio or swimming.
Adding a hula hoop to your weekly exercise routine does more than change your schedule. It could also provide a few notable health benefits if it becomes a lasting part of your workouts.
A small study found that weighted hula hooping burns seven calories per minute, which may be less than what you’d burn while jogging. However, it’s still more than you’re burning while lounging on the couch. It may be a helpful activity to add to your week when you’ve hit a weight loss plateau and need to vary your workout routine to continue making progress.
People often lose their sense of balance with old age. It’s a common part of getting older, but you can prevent it from being extreme with a hula hoop. Research shows hula hooping is among the exercises that make balancing easier and reduce a person’s fall risk. Continue practicing it with time to grow more agile on your feet.
Hula hooping is an aerobic exercise because it’s repetitive, rhythmic and increases your heart rate. Researchers found that aerobic exercise helps people regulate their heart health, so it’s worth adding to your workout routine if your cardiovascular wellness is a priority.
Need some inspiration to start your hula hoop workout journey? There are multiple ways to get your heart rate up with this fun workout tool if you get creative.
You might feel a bit silly while starting your first hula hoop workout. Make it feel more natural by following a fun workout video. You’ll exercise your core and potentially even target other muscle groups within the hoop, depending on how long you want to exercise.
The key to a successful hula hoop workout is a good beat. Turn a dance song on and use it as your workout guide. If you can keep up a fast-paced beat for even two or three minutes, you’ll start to sweat and make the progress you want.
Zumba classes turn exercising into dancing opportunities. They also occasionally incorporate hula hoops. Call a local Zumba studio to ask if they have weighted hula hoop routines. Attending a few could turn your new workout interest into a socializing opportunity.
Get started with your new favorite exercise with tools that make hula hooping fun. You’ll care for your body, improve your health and save money without breaking a pre-workout sweat.
Traditional weighted hula hoops are solid, but modern ones connect different pieces to adjust the hoop’s size to your body. This stylish hoop does exactly that with built-in buttons that don’t stick out as this hoop twirls around your waist.
A linked alternative might be better if a standard weighted hula hoop doesn’t feel like the right fit for you. It’s adjustable like most modern hoops but features an external weight that free-swings around your waist instead of the hoop itself. It’s better if you want a tighter fit inside your hula hoop or feel uncomfortable when a traditional hoop bounces off your hip bones.
Ready to redefine arm day? Get a pair of mini weighted hoops to experience the best arm workouts of your life. Use them on their own to target your biceps, triceps and shoulder blades. You could also use them along with a hula hoop around your waist to maximize your workout without taking a single step.
As you have fun with your new form of cardio, you might start battling your shorts. Some shorts struggle to stay up under the weight and push of a rolling hula hoop. High-waisted shorts perform much better during these kinds of workouts. It’s especially helpful when those shorts stretch down your thighs. If your hula hoop starts to slip, it won’t fall by changing contact from your shorts to your legs.
It might not seem like it, but hula hooping requires some balance. You’re constantly shifting around on your heels, so you’ll need supportive tennis shoes during your workouts. Under Armour makes some of the best. Look for a pair with thick heel support in the sole to ensure they last a long time if you’re hula hooping on concrete or pavement.
You’re about to experience fun workouts. Grab a hula hoop, prepare with some trusted supplies and remember why you’re exercising. If you keep your goals in mind while having a blast, your workout routine will become something you look forward to again.
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