What Hoop Should I Get?
How do I pick a hula hoop? What size hoop should I get? What kind of hoop should I get? Where can I get a hula hoop that is right for me and my needs? Or what hoop to get as a gift for someone else?
So you want to hula hoop but don’t know where to start. O.K…let’s talk hoops! Here’s some hoop information for total beginners, to help you figure out what hoop is right for you.
1.) My first recommendation is to invest in a Good Quality Professionally Made Hoop (like the custom hand crafted hoops by Hip The Hoopla!) — if you want the Best Success, and want to stick with it. You can just buy an inexpensive toy store hoop, but they are made for kids who can destroy them quickly, with really cheap tubing, and can break very easily. They are also usually too light, and small for most adults to use, especially if you want to do waist hooping and core fitness.
2.) My second professional bit of hoop advice is do not use a “weighted” hoop. Here’s why…
• 1st reason: You don’t actually need that added weight to get a great workout. With a good instruction (learn how to hoop with Hip The Hoopla), practicing particular moves, or just jamming to your favorite tunes, a non-weighted/regular pro dance hoop will have you hooping longer.
• The next reason that I’d recommend you don’t use a “sport”/weighted hoop can cause injury/bruising. When you are first learning, you will be improving your technique, increasing your stamina and developing great foundation for your hoop dance skills, with dedicated practice. If you are bruised or super sore the next day…you might not pick up your hoop, the next day, or the next day after that! You wouldn’t walk into a gym, and just start power weight lifting hundreds of pounds, without building up some strength and stamina with lower weights first, right?!
• Lastly, weighted hoops are extremely limiting, if you want to progress and grow in your hoop dance journey. This is simply because they are too heavy and cumbersome to maneuver easily and without extra strain on your body.
Are you still feeling a little hoop confused? That’s o.k. I’m here to help you be Goldilocks and find something that is “just right”…For You, and what your hoop goals are.
In case you are interested, I do a hoop consultation* (by phone, video chat, or in person) and even might have a special introductory private lesson special (if you ask), to your help build your hoop knowledge and make a smart purchase decision.
*Why would I give you my hard-earned insider professional knowledge? I want to get you on the right track. I didn’t have anyone to sit down with me and give me a bunch of good advice, based on what I actually wanted or needed!
I had to figure it all out for myself.
It’s taken many years of time (since 2008) and considerable expense, to learn what I know.
I can help you SHORTCUT the hoop decision and hoop buying process–so you can feel empowered, knowledgeable, and get the most bang for your buck!
FYI: Hooping is not cookie cutter. It’s not “one size fits all…and some, better than others.” When you get information from me, you’ll quickly understand and appreciate why your path is unique, and what you may want to select to get started. You’ll also learn what may be different options as you learn and grow.
So, just when you thought weight, or where to get a good professionally made hoop from a reputable hoop maker was all you needed to know…
There are other considerations as well. The type of tubing matters greatly: in weight, durability and the way your hoop performs. Some of the main types of tubing are: 1.) PE tubing 2.) HDPE and 3.) Polypro
Now then…Even if you thought all of your choices were already exhausted…
But WAIT, There’s More!!!
MORE CHOICES!
You have taped versus naked (non-taped) hoops, AND the vast varieties of tapes and what the reasons, plus pros and cons of each are. That’s a whole ‘nother rabbit hole of “wow, grippy, pretty, shiny, sparkly, patterned, UV, glow in the dark, exponential possibilities.
Finding what’s right for you may take some time and research, to make a good decision to get something that you are hopefully are going to love and use for many years to come.
My philosophy is to give you really solid information, based on my many years of professional experience. Yes, I would love it if you buy from me. But really I want you as a happy client, (and positive recommendation) for life. I want to see you grow and develop…and stick with it, if you find hooping as addictive, enjoyable, and as full of variety, as I do.
As I mentioned earlier, hooping is a journey, and it is very personal. It’s based on your unique experiences, what you are going through, what your goals are, and your own personality and style. Some people use hooping as a form of meditation. For some it’s about fitness or losing weight. For others, it’s a way out of depression, or method to destress and detox.
Whatever hooping is for you, that’s what your hoop choice can represent.
Oh, an one more thing…there’s no rule that you can only have ONE hoop! (Insert Happy Dance Here.) You can have different sizes weights, tapes, travel capabilities, colors, and even multis for “multi hooping”…using more than one hoop at the same time. Your experience level may help shape your choices at the beginning. But then you’ll find yourself grabbing different hoops, depending on your mood or what you want to work on that day.
I wish you many blessings and hope our circles unite at some point (maybe even right now if you book a hoop consultation with me). Happy Hooping!
~Che’ Rippinger, Founder, Chief Hooping Officer, Professional Hoopsmith (Hoopmaker), Instructor, Perfomer, and Hoop Love Ya’ll Show Host
~Che’ Rippinger is Hip The Hoopla‘s CHO (Chief Hooping Officer)/Owner/Founder and head humorist, with heart. She’s been hula hooping since 2008 and founded Hip The Hoopla in 2011 – while teaching, performing and making pro custom dance hula hoops. A dancer most of her life (30+years), Che’ has also been a humor writer/columnist, illustrator and cartoonist for The Denver Post and her Touché! Cartoons have been featured in PLAYGIRL Magazine.
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Catch the latest hoop news with Hip The Hoopla on Facebook. Check out the Hip The Hoopla YouTube channel for the Hoop Love Ya’ll Show, plus tutorials, performances. Also follow HTH on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Instagram. To contact us for group classes, private coaching, premium service packages, VIP days, events, performances or custom professional dance hoops, please call 303-919-9280, visit www.HipTheHoopla.com or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com. (Please do not add us to call/e-mail lists without permission.)