Take off the Weight … by: Tish Merritt for FitBottomedGirls.com

Hula hooping may seem more like playtime than a workout, but if we know anything, it’s that you’re more likely to stick to a workout when it’s actually, you know, fun! And don’t get it twisted — working out with a hula hoop isn’t a walk (or a swivel) in the park…

I met up with Jackie Hesley, hoop dancer extraordinaire and Hoopnotica instructor, on a beautiful Saturday morning in the Santa Monica, Cali., area and basically got a nice slice of humble pie served to me on a hoop for breakfast. My boyfriend scoffed the hula hoop, stating it wasn’t the kind of workout a guy could get sweat to. Hmph. He came back from running around the park and saw his girl, hula hoopin’ and sweating like I do in his boot-camp classes (he’s a personal trainer and tortures me regularly in class) and his mouth fell open. Score one for the hula hoop.

Don’t get me wrong, the class is totally fun. Jackie plugs up her iPhone to a small speaker system, and we party like it’s 1999.  Plus she’s hilarious and nice to boot. She teaches a hodge podge of folks (men and women), so she’s used to different levels of hula-hoop hossness being in her mix, thankfully. I personally hadn’t hooped since probably kindergarten when my boy crush hula-hooped up to me and said he’d marry me if I could hoop for longer than him. I tried. I really did! But, alas, no love connection.

This meant Jackie had to give me some tender lovin’ care on my first day. I learned how to hula the correct way (engaging my core and calming down those wacky hips of mine), as well as how to dance around in a circle while hooping (this killed my legs!) and hooping around my arms, wrists and hands.

My arms were KILLING me post-workout, folks. I loved it! I don’t know about you, but I want to know my muscles are working. And the best part? The hour flew by without me even realizing how hard I was working. I was just playing around, hula hoopin’ my little core off and trying to be a fairy of fury like Jackie. (She told me a man from her class does a wickedly good impression of her flittering about. It’s true, too. She’s totally a hilarious ball of sunshine.)

If you’re in a rut or you just haven’t found a workout that works for you yet, I recommend trying a hula-hoop class. You can burn up to 400 to 600 calories in an hour, meet fun people and learn what it feels like to throw some exercise into your mix that makes you feel like a kid again. Like Jackie, my hula-hoop hoss told me, you tend to leave all your worries and stresses at home. Hula-heads don’t have time for stress—you’re much too busy trying to make sure you don’t smack your shins with a huge hoop.

I plan to grab a bunch of my friends together and treat them to a class soon. It’s just too awesome not to share. If you’re interested in becoming a hula-head like me, check out the Hoopnotica website to find a teacher near you. New hoopers are always welcome!

Also Read:

5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Weight Loss

Real Men Do (or At Least Try) Pilates

Eat More Food and Lose Weight—Really!

Original Post by Tish Merritt for FitBottomedGirls.com.

Tired of your exercise regimen? Try this old toy! By: Megan Coleman

This story was written about Hoop Trainers and we are glad to share it with you. Ps…thank you, Megan.

If you’re tired of your same old exercise routine, you may want to pick up an old toy. It’s the new trend in working out.

Hula-hooping classes, a new spin on exercise, are popping up all over Southern California.

The American Council on Exercise did a study which finds hula hooping burns about as many calories as step aerobics and cardio kickboxing. That’s about 420 calories an hour.

Jackie Hesley, who teaches hooping classes, says it helped her lose 42 pounds last year, and is helping others do the same.

“It’s like a moving meditation, you tend to lose yourself in the movement, then time goes by, because you’ve had so much fun, you don’t even realize that you’ve been exercising,” Hesley said.

The hula hoops weigh about 2 pounds and span approximately 45 inches in diameter, which makes them rotate more slowly around the body, offering greater resistance.

In studies, the average heart rate of hula hoopers goes up to about 151 beats per minute.

“We use different size hoops, a really big heavy hoop to start out with to do cardio and fat burning,” Hesley said. “Then we go to lighter hoops for our arms and legs. You’re really using every muscle in your body in a hoop class.”

Babette Rickard started hooping because she has multiple sclerosis, and found that it helps her with her balance and range of motion. “MS keeps you from moving, so my goal is to keep moving, whatever I can… and hooping I can do that cause it’s not a high-impact sport, and I can stop when I need to so I don’t get overheated. So it’s really helped me a lot,” she said.

And hooping attracts all ages. Claire Allen, 14, said hooping lifted her out of her depression. “I was just on YouTube and I saw a video and I just had to try it, so I got a hoop, and I taught myself,” Allen said.

Perhaps it’s because of that additional factor that a treadmill doesn’t have — the happy factor. “It’s fun. I giggle. I drop the hoop and I just move on,” Richard said.

Have you ever tried hula-hooping as an exercise? Would you? Why or why not? What’s your current exercise of choice? Leave your thoughts below.

This is today’s Facebook Story of the Day. To help pick the story, click here.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ORIGINAL POST AND VIDEO: TV News on Hooping

Health Benefits of Hooping

Recently, the Hoop Trainer girls were asked to share the benefits of health and hooping on TV News with Daisy Lin. It was a great day in the park with Hoop Trainers, Jackie Hesley, Babette Rickard and Claire Allen. They all shared their personal stories about hooping and self confidence, weight management, and living with MS.

Hooping for Health with Daisy Lin

Hoop it Up by: Josie Fernandez

How Many Hoops Does a Hoop Trainer Have?

If you aren’t a hooper, I probably seem odd and eccentric.  But, if you’ve been hooping for any length of time, you understand and probably think I don’t have enough hoops.

I have 2 full size LED hoops. One I had custom made and is a nice light weight. When we started doing night hooping, my husband needed an LED, too. Yea, that’s it. HE needed one, too…

I have my “go to” hoop. It’s been retaped more times than I can count. I love this hoop! I have a 36″ hoop; HoopChi works best for me with this size. I hoop with this one, too, though. I have mini hoops. They are currently 30″, and I’m finding them too big these days, so they will become 24″ the next time I retape them.

I have a wonderful 8-piece pocket travel hoop from TrooHoops. Here it is soaking up some warmth from Sahara sands (I visited Morocco in November).

There’s a set of mini LED hoops that I have on order.

I have about 10 hoops I’ve made that are ready for adoption to forever hooper homes and 20+ practice or “beater” hoops that I pass out at classes and meetups… some of which used to be my previous go to hoops. But, those don’t count, right?

So, how many hoops to YOU have?

Kirsten Tucker is a Hoop Trainer, Certified Level 1-3 Hoopnotica hoopdance instructor, Level 1-2 BodyHoops instructor, HoopChi certified instructor, Senior T-Tapp Trainer/Trainer Mentor, 10 year personal trainer, play advocate & Certified Laughter Leader. She offers hoop classes and training in NW Houston and worldwide. Founder of Houston Spin Stars hoop Meetup group, she thinks hoopy thoughts every day.

Hoop Trainers teach Judy Greer to Hoop On YahooTv’s “Reluctantly Healthy” Show

On a sunny day in April, we got a call to come to Santa Monica and shoot a segment for Yahoo TV. Luckily, it was “Reluctantly Healthy” with with super cool and totally fun actress, Judy Greer.

Our founder, Jackie Hesley, taught Judy the basics of hooping, confirming her as an honorary hooper.

Here’s a link to the episode for you to enjoy!

Burning Calories with a Hoop

The Joy of Giving: Hooping for Exercise

There is something to be said about “the joy of giving.” It brings joy, duh. Seriously though, the statement “the joy of giving” is synonymous with Christmas, birthdays, charity, and so forth. However, today I truly realized that the joy of giving is also the joy of hooping.  How so? Just teach a non-hooper and turn them into a hooper. It’s an awesome feeling.

Last week, I taught a class, my first class … by myself (not my own class, but none-the-less)! Luckily, only one person showed up. How is that a good thing? It was also her first class. So while she was fumbling with the hoop, I was fumbling with my words, and we had a good time. She quickly turned from non-hooper to a hoop-lovin’, determined hooper. She joined our Facebook page, bought a hoop, and has been practicing ever since.

But back to today. I had to sub for the same class and, while waiting to set up, one person shows. Then another, two more, another, and another, a couple more for a total of eight. Yup, eight. Including my new hooper from the last class. I was glad to see she made it.

For today’s class, I also had some more newbies, a mom and daughter pair. The class started out smoothly and, after the warm-ups and the first 20 minutes, I kind of veered off track and into left field. I let them loose and had them do their own thing. I went running around going over this with one person and going over that with someone else. I helped them through the move they were practicing; if one way of explaining it didn’t work, I stopped, thought of the move, slowed it down, and re-explained it. And they got it, and they got excited! That is the joy of giving; providing help, instruction, guidance through a move, and getting them to that place of “I got it!”

The joy I got from the first class tripled today, probably because the number of students more than quadrupled, which resulted in more “I got it!”s. One great compliment I received was, “You explained a move to three people three different ways and they got it.” I did my job, I did what I planned to do, and got the class to be as happy hooping as I am.

Everyone is different, not everybody learns the same or picks something up as fast as others. Yet we can arrive at the same place, a happy hooping place. The joy of giving is helping; it’s giving someone the joy of hooping.

Post by: Josie Fernandez. She is a Certified Hoop Trainer in Los Angeles, California who teaches weekly classes. Check out the Hoop Trainer schedule for more information on Josie’s classes.

Keeping the spring in your step

Have you ever noticed that each season has its own special feel? Summer means leisure and fun, fall is busy with family and getting back to schedules, winter is a time to nest at home, and spring brings a sense of renewal.

This time of year is one of my favorites, full of new beginnings. We can choose to keep that feeling in our every day lives too.  As a hoop instructor, I often hear from prospective students that “I wasn’t able to hoop as a child so I don’t know about hoop class.” Or “I’m in my fifties so I don’t know if I can start to hoop.”  My answer?  Of course you can, just look at me! When I first picked up a hoop at the age of 51, a new beginning blossomed for me.

After I sent my youngest child off to college, I did what most empty-nester moms often do: took a belly dance class. Soon I was lucky enough to be part of a performance troupe. While at a dance workshop, I saw two young women perform with a hoop and knew instantly that it was something that I had to try. A real “A-HA!” moment.

Within a few months, I had started teaching hoop classes and was asked to perform publicly with a hoop. Sharing my passion for hooping through teaching and performing has been one of my own personal “springs.” I have met and formed friendships with so many wonderful people of all ages and gained a renewed sense of mastery and confidence.  Although I have taught hoopers from ages 7 and up, those 50 and older have been particularly heart-warming and taught me far more than I could teach them. From the 60-ish hooper with an artificial hip to the two giggling 70-ish friends who said that hula hooping was on their bucket list to great-grandmothers including one with two knee replacements and spinal rods. These ladies, and all of my hoopers 50 and up, have a fabulous sense of adventure and are not afraid to try new things regardless of age. They are still seeking the “springs” in their lives.

Research shows that hooping builds a sense of well-being as well as the health benefits of cardiovascular conditioning, balance, and hand-eye coordination. All of these are great benefits for any age, but especially for those 50 or older.  Balance, in particular, can diminish with age leading to other injuries from falls.

Hooping is a low impact form of physical activity that is easy on the joints. For those of us who began exercising in the Jane Fonda era with belted leotards and legwarmers, the “No Pain, No Gain” mantra is no longer acceptable. Hooping as exercise falls within the moderate range which means it is a form of activity that will affect body composition. You can tone those muscles and burn calories too.

Besides the physical and emotional benefits, hooping also has important social benefits. Hoopers are an incredibly friendly bunch, always ready to share a trick or two and encourage newbies. Hoop classes are full of smiles and laughter with the students interacting and supporting each other. When a student who has been struggling to hold up their hoop or master a new move makes a breakthrough, the room is full of cheers.

I have learned that the cliché “Do something that scares you” holds true at any age. Find a new class and you may just discover a new passion. Always keep that “spring” in your step!

BIO: Laurel Fleming Richie is a hoop instructor and certified teacher through Hoop Trainer who lives in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is an attorney specializing in insurance defense and a community volunteer. Laurel’s hoop support group includes husband Byron, and children, Collin and Jillian.

Read original post on ActivewearUSA.com here: http://www.activewearusa.com/activewear-blog/2012/keeping-that-spring-in-your-step-at-any-age/

The Most Fun Workout Ever!

Say the word “workout” to people and ask them to tell you the first thing that comes to mind. They won’t respond with the word “fun.” It just doesn’t happen.

People do not usually think of exercise and fun together. You get the first one over with and use the second as a reward, right? But what if you could mesh them together, having so much fun you completely forget you’re exercising while burning upwards of 450 calories an hour?

That’s what happened to me last year when I lost 42 pounds in 6 months, working out with a hula-hoop. “Hooping” is serious fun and almost insultingly simple, not to mention the investment for a brand-new, shiny adult-sized hoop is only about $40. There’s no real reason you shouldn’t already have one. Plus, the fun-filled memories you get from a hoop will last forever.

So, let’s say I convinced you to try hooping, and you purchase a hoop. Now what? Before you swing it into action, here are some hooping hints to help you maximize the fun.

5 Hooping Tips to Get Started

1. Enter with no expectations. At first your hooping skills may be iffy at best, and sometimes your hoop will drop and hit the ground. Just like in life, you can always pick it up and start over again. Over time, you’ll get the hang of it!

2. Connect with your inner child. Hoopers tend to be creative and sometimes set the mood by playing dress up, hooping in funky fashions and colorful accessories. Don’t be afraid to be the more fun version of you. No one is looking.

3. Create your own play space. You can hoop outdoors in the park or indoors, in front of your TV. Attend a hoop class in your town or be a lone practitioner. Dance to music that moves you, or hoop in silent meditation. There are no rules to hooping, only experienced suggestions, so hoop however you want. It’s your playtime!

4. BFFs forever! Oh no, the hoop is not just a plastic ring. Consider it to be your new dance partner in which you are the leader—not the other way around. Once you learn how to lead with simple body cues, the two of you will be dancing non-stop. Not only will you have the coolest bestie ever, you will also never be without a dance partner!

5. Set play dates. Grab your hoop and hit the Internet where you will find that the hooping community is a welcoming, non-competitive environment for the most part, and most “hoopers” like to share. There are countless hoop classes, workshops and free hooping events sprouting up everywhere. If there isn’t a class in your area already, consider starting one of your own.

Finally, one of the coolest things about hooping is that it can take you out of your grownup mind for a while, allowing you to leave who you are trying to be behind, and just be. It will remind you of how you were as a kid, and if you missed out on the hula-hoop the first time around, well, here is another chance to learn to spin. Don’t miss out! —Jackie Hesley

Three good things about Hooping

There are a few good things to know about hooping…

One:

All hoopers have different styles and no two are truly alike. Reasons are, different body shapes, levels of coordination and practice, flexibility and speed, you name it. Don’t be intimidated by other, “better” hoopers. Be inspired, and be uniquely YOU.

Two:

There is no competition in hooping. Its not about who can do it faster or longer, or with as many as possible. It’s about sharing and having fun. Somehow the hoop brings us together.

Three:

There’s something special that happens to your brain chemistry while hooping. Its brings out the good feelings, the smiles, the laughs, and some pretty serious creativity. While you hoop, allow yourself to flow and see where you go.

So enjoy hooping, no matter who or where you are.

Learning to speak Hoop

At the very beginning of drop-in hoop classes…

I ask if there are any new Hoopers in the room, at which time a reluctant 2 or 3 students will raise their hands and I know what comes next.

I used to try to figure out a way to explain to people why and how the hoop moves until one day I realized the reason I couldn’t understand the best way to articulate complex hooping moves is because I was trying to explain them English. Even if my student spoke English, how does that translate into something the hoop can understand.

After all, a hoop doesn’t speak English. A hoop speaks Hoop.

When you speak “hoop” you instinctually know where to push the hoop, where to place your hand right now, to do that trick or how far to bend to make the hoop lean over. When you know those things and feel cool and confident about them, you have the makings of a beautiful inter-racial relationship.

A hoop doesn’t speak English. A hoop speaks Hoop.

A love affair with a Hoop

Are you looking for true love?

Stop searching and get yourself a hula-hoop.

Here’s why.

Hooping is an easy and fun, calorie-burning activity everyone can do, but “Hoopers” (people who hoop) are finding, it’s not just about exercise and fitness that keeps them coming back. It seems when you make a commitment to learn to hula-hoop it sparks a love affair that no one else will understand unless they are a Hooper too.

If you haven’t yet, get hula hoop and give it a spin.

You will quickly find out if you have a thing for each other.

If it doesn’t grab you with “love at first sight”, fond feelings are known to creep in a little later without detection, meaning you wont know you have fallen crazy in love with your hoop until you find yourself ducking out of work early to drive across town in traffic, just to hoop for 15-minutes with your friends.

All of a sudden, you’re hooked and hooping is all you think about!

So, smitten hoop kitten, here are some tips to help your new love affair succeed:

1. Start dating!

Plan quality time with your hoop, just the two of you. Attend a group hoop class or spend 30-minutes in your living room, hooping in up! It’s the best way to get to know one another.

2. Start as if you mean to finish.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well so before your hoop date set yourself up with music that will put you in the mood, enough space to move and comfortable clothing suitable for hooping.

3. You get what you give.

Just like you, your hoop loves attention. Keep it in a place where you can see it everyday. Allow it to inspire you. The more time you spend with your hoop the better your hoop practice will get and your relationship will be.

4. Let your relationship unfold naturally.  Start small. Practice. Learn one hooping move a time. Don’t rush ahead by getting too complicated in the beginning.

5. Sharing is caring. Once you find the hoop love, you will want to share it. There are countless ways to learn to make hoops of your own, take and teach classes in your town, and host free hooping events that will attract other hoop lovers, like yourself.