So, you have started considering hula hoops as part of a fitness option. You may have felt that this was a silly option when you first heard about it. As you have looked into it, you may have found that it can actually be very beneficial for your cardio, for your core, for muscles, and more.
What you may not have found out yet, is which hula hoop exercises are available and which ones you should try out. Here are a few that you should try out in your routine and see how they work for you.
Stretching Exercises
One of the ways that many people use hula hoops is as an accessory for stretching exercises. Stretching out your back muscles, for example, may seem easy.
However, you can step that up by using a hula hoop to stretch more muscles in your back. This is due to the placement of your arms on the hula hoop. Your arms are stretched a bit more than they normally would be. The hoop provides stability and the ability to stretch further simply with placement. You can also use the hoop for side stretches and as a much larger version of a Pilates ring.
Twist Passes
A twist pass with the hula hoop may look simple and like it doesn’t do anything for your body. The truth is, it can become intense and even challenging. This exercise is done by standing straight and holding the hoop on one side, either left or right. You must keep the hoop parallel to the ground.
While holding the hoop out parallel, you pass the hoop from one hand to the other while doing a full twist like you would with twist stretches. This works your arms, your core, and your abs. It can even work your legs depending on the stance you take during the passes.
Lunge Hoops
If you have been doing body weight resistance workouts, then you have likely done a lunge or two. You know that the lunge exercise can help work your abs, your leg muscles, and help you with flexibility. You can step that up by using a hula hoop during the workout.
Take the hoop and spin it on your wrist and arm while you are doing the lunges. Do this for at least 10 lunges then switch arms and do the lunges again. This will help give you an almost full body workout by working arms, legs, abs, and core.
These are just a few of the options available to you. You can try them and see how they work for you and what options will work into your fitness plans to meet your goals. You will also be able to see which accessories may work out best for you as well.
