At first glance, hooping looks like simple play. Guess what? It is! That does not mean it isn’t effective and beneficial for the body, however. It provides great opportunity for both static and dynamic hoop stretches.
When you think of the hoop as a playmate, you really are partnering up with unlimited possibilities for better health. You know I have spoken about the physical and mental benefits for years, and I will continue to do so. Always.
Right now I’d like you to take a look at the video above in this post. While you may notice what FUN it looks like, step back and really pay attention. Take note how everyone is really moving around with the hoops and what parts of their bodies that are getting the most benefit.
You will notice everyone doing different things…but try to focus less on the hoop and look at the various body parts…arms, legs, hands, feet, back, hips, shoulders, neck and even the face. It’s constant motion, some higher intensity than others, but always moving, keeping the hoop touching the body somehow. Maybe simply holding it. Perhaps it’s on the body spinning. Transitions between the two, gently and smoothly. Look at the SMILING, which uses muscles in the face…that means you’re feeling HAPPY, by the way…and there is nothing wrong with working on those happiness muscles, either!
Did you get there overnight? NO. Does it take practice? YES. Does it feel like work? Absolutely not at all! It feels like playtime. Even though it’s not and may never be perfection, it’s always progress…and each time you pick up your hoop, you are STILL moving, getting better with your moves, but also getting beautiful stretching and cardio all rolled up into one motion!
So that you’ll better understand the fitness side of hooping better, let’s get technical for a minute and step off the playground.
What ARE the stretches & when are they done?
Plenty of stretches, included in my full Warm Up & Stretch sequence, which is included in my online training & coaching, are actually done throughout your hoopdance anytime you are hooping. It’s what we do in the first part of a solid hoop practice. DYNAMIC stretches closely mimic movements made during hoopdance, so the Warm Up & Stretch sequence really PREPARES you to HOOP by moving and reviewing slowly what you are about to do. STATIC stretches are used to improve flexibility, plus help cool your body down after you hoop, and are therefore done when the body is standing still. You always get your body warm with movement before doing any stretches standing still. This prevents injury to the muscles. Once you have used parts of our body, the muscles can then be gently stretched mid-practice and as we cool down.
Here’s a recent, brief “Fitter Together” segment on WFAA News 8 Daybreak that shows a couple of STATIC stretches with a hoop, just as I teach them in my hoop training course…
Perhaps one of the most beautifully beneficial things about hooping and hoopdance practice is that it actually IS one, big, happy DYNAMIC STRETCH! Think about it! When you hoop, you get to keep moving gently and repeatedly, doing the same motions, again and again. Those movements, over time, open up & lubricate joints, lengthen & tone muscles, increase range of motion and alleviate pain. Consider your Warm Up & Stretch sequence simply hoopdance, slowed down enough to prepare our body and mind for the exercise. If all you do at home is warm up & stretch, you’re still making the hoop a part of your day, you will reap rewards over time, which will include becoming more flexible and relaxed.
You can incorporate some daily movement with a hoop into your life, with something as easy as this…here’s just one example of how I do it…
Other healthy benefits!
Now that you understand more how dynamic and static stretches are a part of hoopdance, when you watch these videos here again, or any of my videos on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, look at the movements and notice how we incorporate the hoop to add a little extra resistance to our body weight that is pushing or guiding the hoop. Those muscles that we’re using, from our heads to our toes, are all getting a workout. Depending on the intensity, hooping can be very high cardio or, when you need/want to slow it down, it’s still giving you great benefits on your joints in a very no-to-low impact way!
Another bonus? Switching between cardio intensities, creating short periods ranging from high to rest, is called High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This type of exercise is what hooping is ALL about and a major reason why you can achieve weight loss goals with a hoop effectively.
Now, if what I said just now sounds FAR too fitness-y, don’t be alarmed…even though hooping is an incredible way to get a workout, my clients NEVER call it such…read more here about just a few of them just weave the hoop into their life, without making it EVER seem like a CHORE…you can find that inspiring post HERE
I’d love to help YOU! Get access training videos with any hoop purchase & even more group coaching online from me in my INNER CIRCLE! Learn more right HERE
Either way, it all starts with grabbing my FREE training below! Please don’t forget to find me on social media, too…just look for aRoundJoy or follow the links at the bottom of this page. Stop by and give me a like & a follow! I look forward to getting to know you, sister!
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