Where Can I Buy Hula Hoops for Adults?

Hula hoops burst onto the toy scene in 1958, and since then generations have been wild about them. Who wouldn’t be? These colorful plastic hoops can be used for dancing, performance art, or simply having fun the the park. But it turns out that fun and entertainment aren’t all the hula hoop brings to the table--it’s also a great workout.

For years, hula hoops were a popular children’s toy, but now they have become something people of all ages can use to have fun and get healthy. In fact, the Mayo Clinic has confirmed that hula hooping is an effective way to get your physical activity each day. This is great news for those of us who need to get fit, but hate logging hours at the gym or on the treadmill. Just put on some music and hoop my belly fat away? Sign me up!

Once you decide to give fitness hooping a try, your first step should be finding a hoop (of course). But where do you start your search? We’ve got a few tips that just might help you being your hooping journey:

Toys vs. Tools: A Quick Sidenote

When you think of hula hoops, you think of toys, right? So why not head over to your nearest toy store and pick one up? The reality is that your standard toy hoop is quite a bit different than the fitness models available for today’s hooping adults. While the average hula hoop may suit your niece and nephew just fine, it’s not likely to get you the workout you’re looking for.

Firstly, there’s the issue of size. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the average child is quite a bit smaller than the average adult! This means that hula hoops made for children aren’t likely to give an adult an effective core workout. Common knowledge says that the right sized hula hoop, when placed vertically on the ground, should reach the person’s belly button. As you become more advanced, you can make the hoop a bit smaller--but not as small as a child’s toy.

The second issue with toy hoops is weight. One of the ways that hooping benefits the body is by weighting down the hoop itself, so the body has to work harder to keep it spinning. Most fitness hoops range between one and two pounds, but a toy hoop is only a measly two ounces! Without that extra weight, you simply won’t see the results you want from your hooping routine.

Old-Fashioned Fitness: Sporting Good Stores

Hooping’s rise in popularity has not gone unnoticed by the fitness industry. As a result, your standard sporting good stores (where you might by tennis rackets or running shoes) are starting to sell fitness hoops too! This can be a great place to start for a new hoop-enthusiast; you can try out the store’s selection right there and make certain you find a hoop that helps you reach your fitness goals.

Of course, the selection at a sporting goods store won’t be quite as varied as a specialty store. You may miss out on certain sizes, weight levels, or even specific colors. Once you’ve found the right size for you, or once your starter hoop isn’t challenging enough, you’ll likely want to check out a store that specializes in hula hooping for exercise. Brick-and-mortar hula hooping stores are hard to come by (though who knows what the future holds), so to find the perfect hoop for you, you may have to go digital.

Add to Cart: Online Stores

The internet has revolutionized everything, from the way we make friends to the way we shop. With a few simple clicks, our everyday necessities (and even a few luxuries) are sent straight to our homes from shops all over the world. It’s hardly a surprise, then, that one great place to get the perfect fitness hoop is in an online store.

Online shopping means that you can compare different shops, different styles, and differents sizes at home, quickly and while wearing your pajamas. Do you want a weighted hoop for an extra tough workout? A collapsible hoop you can take with you to the office?

You could even custom order your hoop, making it as unique as you are. With an online shop that specializes in fitness hoops, you are more likely to get a piece of exercise equipment that you can use to great effect.

What are you waiting for? Now’s the time to buy a hoop!