The Health Benefits of Hula Hooping

By Brandi Swieter 

With World Hula Hoop Day falling on the first Saturday of each October, it’s beneficial to take a look this month at just what benefits the activity brings. Hula hooping is much more than a children's pastime. Adults and children alike can experience a fun, relaxing time that burns calories and promotes exercise.

It Targets Several Muscle Groups

Hula hooping is a form of exercise. During this exercise, several muscle groups get targeted. People who spend time twirling the hoop around their waist are working out their abs, hips, legs, and even glutes. A cheap hoop from the store that children tend to use can offer some benefits, but getting a weighted hoop would provide an even better workout for adults. An arm workout is even possible if a person spins the hoop around their wrist or arm instead of their waist.

It Burns Calories

Because hooping targets several muscle groups at once and is a form of exercise, the activity can help burn calories. Anyone hoping to lose some weight and burn extra calories throughout the day than what they’re used to can start hula hooping as a means to do so. Just one minute of using the hula hoop can burn seven calories, resulting in more than 200 calories burned in a full hour-long workout.

It Boosts Mood

Using a hula hoop can bring people back to their childhood. The activity reminds people of a carefree time in which their only worry was to attend school where they could visit with friends. Adults who hula hoop tend to experience a boost in mood. They reminisce on hooping with friends back in the day and enjoy their time spent exercising instead of dreading it. It doesn’t feel like exercise even though it is. People can try it with friends for an even more joyful experience.

It Strengthens Your Heart

Exercise, no matter what type it is, benefits the heart. Hula hooping can help to strengthen the heart if people are getting in a good workout and getting their heart pumping. The mood-boosting effects of hula hooping helps as well, as it helps with stress relief. Too much stress puts pressure on the heart and can lead to serious problems.

You don’t need World Hula Hoop Day to try out the activity. Pick out a hula hoop and take it out any time you feel like burning calories and targeting various muscle groups within your body to get in a fun workout. Do it daily for a regular burn.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in American Fork, Utah.

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