Swirl, twirl, and sweeat it out

Using hula hoops for exercise can be traced back to our forefathers’ generation. While it was one of the fun activities that engaged most of the 90s kids, later it had vanished somewhere. Today, for our new segment of Health Talk, The Pioneer’s Tejal Sinha brings to you how the age-old fun exercise is once again back and is now being enjoyed by every age group.

Most of us, as much as we could remember, would say that the last time we swirled a hula hoop was sometime around our middle school days, at our school playgrounds or in the park. gives you a nostalgic feeling, isn’t it?

The popularity of hula hooping, or the exercise via the hoops, has waxed and waned. They were red-hot in the 60s and continued for a long time, at least till the 90s, and then settled into a steady hum of usage.

But much like the varsity jackets and chunky sneakers of the 90s, the hula hoop is making a comeback — and it’s reinventing itself as a sassy piece of fitness equipment.

Thanks to the pandemic, many of us once again got back to wearing our hula rings. The pandemic isolation catapulted hoops back to prominence. Exercise enthusiasts (stuck at home) started looking for ways to jazz up their workouts and turned to hoops. They posted their own hooping videos on social media, garnering millions of views.

Sukesh Rane, a fitness and yoga instructor who has trained over 1,000 people in Hyderabad, says, “People are lazy when it comes to following a fitness routine.What’s different about this exercise is that you not only do movemental exercise but also have fun at the same time. It can be done wherever you want, whether at home, on a terrace, in a park, or even at the gym.For the people that I have been currently training, be it for fitness or yoga, I have asked them to do the hula hoop exercise for a minimum of 25 to 30 minutes, especially after the pandemic. The reason being that, due to the pandemic, the way that our body functions in terms of fitness has changed.”

Keeping an exercise hoop spinning for any length of time requires you to activate lots of muscle groups. To do it, it takes all of your core muscles and the muscles in your buttocks, upper legs, and calves.

“That’s the same number of muscles that walking, jogging, or cycling activates. Working the core and leg muscles contributes to improved muscle strength, coordination, and balance. Spin the hoop on your arm, and you’ll use even more muscles — the ones in your shoulders, chest, and back,” said Sukesh.

Some experts suggest that hooping might also help an aching back. Swasthi Srivastav, a certified trainer, shared that it can be a great rehab exercise to get you out of pain. As the hoop workout involves vigorous exercise, Swasthi shares that it has some risks, including:
People suffering from hip or low back arthritis are at risk.

It can increase the risk of falling if one has balancing issues.

People might also report abdominal bruising after using weighted hoops on the heavier side.

Are you planning to start hula hooping if you’ve never done it before? Here are some expert recommendations for you.

If you have an underlying condition, make sure your doctor advises you to begin hooping.
You can choose from lightweight plastic hoops or weighted hoops. “Weighted hoops are made of a much softer material, and they are usually thicker than a traditional hula hoop.” Which type of hoop should you start with? Weighted hoops are easier to use.

“If you are new to hooping, purchase a weighted hoop that will help you get your form down and develop the ability to keep it going for a longer period of time,” said Swasthi.

Hooping and mental health

Hooping improves your mental health because it is more enjoyable than any other exercise. Several experts have also suggested that hooping helps keep you in the present.

.Hula hooping aids in proper sleep.
.helps you connect with yourself.
n It releases happy brain chemicals.
n reduces stress and anxiety.
n helps you meditate through movement.
n enhances your focus.

The Advantages of Hula Hoop Exercise
n Burns calories and fat.
n Strengthens your core.
n Works and improves your lower body.
n Improves posture.
n Perfect for a warm-up.

n Helps with mental detox.