Do you remember
when you were a child and you used to “hula hoop” with your friends? Have you tried since and can no longer keep
the hoop going more than 2 or 3 turns?
Then you must try the new Gym Hoops - they are fantastic – and can
either be used just for fun or for training and fitness. We have four types of Gym Hoop :–
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The
“Lightweight” gym hoop, weighing between 300 and 500g (with 20mm tubing). Diameter sizes: 30” / 36” / 39” / 41”
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The
“Standard” gym hoop, weighing between 500 and 750g (with 26mm tubing). Diameter sizes: 36” / 39” / 41” and 44” can
be made as a “special”
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The NEW “Standard
Plus” gym hoop, weighing approximately 900g (with 26mm tubing). Diameter sizes: 39” and 41”
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The NEW
“Heavy” gym hoop, weighing approximately 1Kilo (with 26mm tubing). Diameter sizes: 39” and 41”
The weight of the
hoop increases as the diameter of the hoop increases. The “Lightweight” hoops with a smaller diameter need more effort
to rotate, but give you more of a workout, great for the more experienced
hoopers, young adults and quite flexible individuals. The “Standard” hoops with a larger diameter are easier to rotate;
they can be controlled much more easily and worked much more slowly – great for
beginners and for those who are learning new moves. The “Standard Plus” and the “Heavy” hoops will really pummel the
waist and can be worked more slowly, to get rid of those unwanted inches. Take care not to work out with these hoops
too much to begin with as you may cause a little bruising to the waist, but you
will get used to it. Small hoops (e.g.
12” & 18”) are particularly good for leg or arm exercises and toning.
As a general rule,
if you measure from the ground up to mid-way between your waist and chest, it
is a good indication of the diameter size you require as a beginner. You may also need to take your waist size
into consideration.
There are some
hoops on the market that are taped with bright colours. These look great except that the tape can
split and peel if it gets dropped or scuffed and they soon look shabby. Also the adhesive often leaks through and
makes them look messy and they feel sticky to the touch. Our hoops are manufactured in 11 bright
colours – Red, Black, White, Pink, Green, Orange, Yellow, Lilac, Purple, Dark
Blue and Light Blue and these colourful hoops have a “hint of glitter” finish
just to set them off! Our hoops are
strong and durable and will maintain their quality even after much use if
looked after correctly.
You would not
believe that “hooping” and “hulaerobics” has become such a popular sport - you
could even say there it is a hooping craze.
People all over the world have found that hoops are such great fun and
particularly help with training and fitness that everyone wants to have a
go. There have been conventions all
over the country, were hoopers meet up, have training days and exchange tricks
and exercise programmes. They are used
in aerobics classes, belly dance and exotic dance training but most of all can
be used at home, where you can try out your own ideas and tricks once you have
mastered the art of hooping.
Before you even start
hooping make sure that you have “warmed up” properly, working through every
part of the body with gentle, relaxed, stretching exercises. Relax the head and neck, loosen the shoulder
joints, the upper and middle spine, loosen the hips, knee, thigh and ankle
joints. It is equally important to
“cool down” too – after every hooping session.
This should consist of slow walking and stretching for approximately 5
to 7 minutes. This will allow your
heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal.
N.B. We always recommend that you consult your G
P before starting any exercise programmes, especially if you suffer from
hypertension, joint or heart problems.
1. Tum and Bum
Put one foot in
front of the other. Hold the hoop round
your waist and give it a big push in the direction of your front foot.
Push your hips
forward and backwards in small, fast movements to keep the hoop around your
waist.
Hold your hands
out to the side or behind your head.
Alternate the
direction you push the hoop in order to build up your muscles evenly.
This will work
your abdominal muscles, tone your lower back and provide great cardiovascular
exercise.
2. Tum
Making sure both
feet are parallel and about one foot apart, practise bouncing gently up and
down by lifting your heels.
Once you have
mastered this movement, spin the hula hoop around your waist, pushing your hips
forward and up. Imagine there is a
string pulling them to the ceiling.
The hoop should be
spinning in an upward direction. This
will work the abdominal muscles. Take
care not to overdo it to begin with because it will hurt.
3. Lower Back
Keeping your feet
flat on the ground and parallel do the same movement as the last exercise,
lifting up your heels and bouncing.
This time lean
your upper body forward and arch your back.
The hoop should spin in a downward direction towards the floor.
Use your lower
back muscles to keep it moving.
4. Legs and Bum
With both feet
flat on the ground, and parallel to each other, move your hips backwards and forwards
as quickly as you can to keep the hoop spinning around your body.
If the hoop starts
to slip then wiggle your hips a little, moving backwards and forwards as
quickly as you can to get the hoop back up to waist height again.
5. Arms
Hold the hoop in
your right hand with palm facing upwards.
Twirl it in the
air as fast as you can bringing it up above your head still twirling.
Change hands and
repeat.
Try you own hoping
moves and improve your techniques and tricks!
Happy Hooping!
Provides
cardiovascular conditioning.
Sculpts thighs, arms and bottom.
Builds abdominal muscles.
Helps to speed weight loss.
Relieves stress.
Great fun.
BTG PLASTICS LTD
Contact: Magz Pilling
Tel: 01706 524550 / 640400