Hula Hooping for Good Health and Weight Loss

Many of us have special memories of hula hooping as a child. As it was with our good friend in her driveway or by you in the backyard it was always a wonderful source of playful fun. The hula hoops are a toy hoop that is twisted around the limbs, waist or neck. They normally measure around 28 inches in diameter and approximately 40 inches. Nowadays hula hoops are made of plastic tubing.
The hula hoop is an ancient invention. The Greeks used hooping as a form of exercise. The traditional materials for hoops included willow, rattan, stiff grasses, grapevines and sometimes metals, such an iron or copper. Adults and children around the world have played with hoops. They have rolled, twirled and thrown them throughout history. Hula hooping toy introduced in Great Britain in the 16th century. The hula hooping dance had some similarities because dancing uses the hoops. Hence, the name hula hooping was given to this activity.
Hula hooping for 45 minutes a day can be just as helpful as jogging for 20 minutes. There are many benefits to hula hooping:

• Increased strength and flexibility
• Toned waist, hips and thighs
• It really helps to straighten your back
• Strengthen your neck, arms and leg muscles
• In reducing weight
• Strengthen your heart
• Lower your blood pressure
• It also helps to increase the flow of blood to your brain

Hula hooping is not so difficult once you get the hang of it. The key is to make sure you have the exact size. You should not buy a child size. The bigger you are the bigger the hula hoop should be. Larger hoops will rotate slower, making getting started easier. Eventually, after you get the hang of it, you can start to use smaller hoops, as these are better for exercise. Hula Hooping does take patience. However, once you get started you will find out what a wonderful way it is to burn calories. You are sure to get a great workout and have fun too.