Looking after a hoop. / Hoop size & weight.

Hula-hoop Size & Weight.
 
Generally speaking, most store bought hula-hoops are far too small and too light for teenagers and adults to use.
To hoop successfully choose a hoop that comes up to somewhere between hip height and your belly button height - higher even as bigger is usually easier. There are exceptions to the rule of course, people have been known to successfully enjoy hooping with smaller hoops and much larger hoops.
 

Circle Of Light Hula-hoops come in different sizes and weights. Beginners often find the larger heavier hoops easier to use – or an alternative is to start with 2 lighter hoops of the same size.
 
Experiment to find out what suits you best.

 
 
 
How To Care For Your Hula-Hoop.
 

 
  • Dont try to bend the hoops obviously.  
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  • When you are using your hula hoop, try to use it in a place where the ground is soft like grass or carpet as opposed to cement, gravel etc. Eventually hula hoops will fall and hit the ground. Hooping on the soft ground will help minimize scratching and tearing of the tape when the hula hoops falls and hits the ground.

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  • Wipe your hula hoop down once in a while with a damp cloth to clean. 
  • Try to keep your hula hoop away from moisture and wet places. Too much moisture can take away some of the tapes stickiness. Excess heat is not recommended either although in some parts of Australia obviously this can be hard to avoid somewhat.
  • If the hoop becomes bent out of shape, leave it on a flat surface out in the sun or in a warm room for a SHORT amount of time until it flattens. Avoid exposing the hoops to prolonged heat as it can loosen the adhesive on the tape.
  • If the tape on the hoop does come loose, a drop of glue or additional tape (either matching electrical tape or clear sellotape) over the effected area will fix the problem.
  • Hoops sometimes loose their perfect circle shape. Generally this doesnt effect hula-hooping. The hoops can be gently strethed back into their round shape before hooping if nessesary.
  • Most of all – have fun with your hula hoop! They are meant to provide great entertainment for people of all ages! There are so many hula-hoop tricks that can be learnt and its a great way to keep fit!!

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    Below is from hooping.org which is a great resorce to learn more about hula-hooping and even making your own hoops, heres the basics on how to begin hula-hooping. There are many other resourses online for tips & tricks and lots of hooping lessons on youtube! Because hula-hoop is a registered trade mark in the USA hula-hooping is generally referred to as just “hooping” which may be worth remembering when using internet search features (-:

    Put one foot in front of the other, and shift your weight
    Hold the hoop against your back. You can start it a little above your waist. Then, push the hoop around your waist, and shift your weight back and forth on your feet to keep the hoop moving.

    Easier said than done? Having trouble “keeping it up”? Here are some more tips:
    Many people try to move their hips in a circle with the hoop. This actually makes hooping much harder. Try this: put one foot in front of the other and just shift your weight back and forth from foot to foot. It’s less of a circular hip motion and more of just a rocking or pumping motion.
    In terms of which direction to hoop in, try ‘em both! You’ll know right away which one is right for you. I’ve found that right handed people generally hoop counter-clockwise, while lefties go clockwise, but many people are exceptions to this rule.
    Most of all: be patient! It can take a while to get the hang of it — don’t give up! If you get frustrated trying to get the hoop going around your waist, try hooping with your hands!