Weighted Hula Hoop, Trim Hoop 3B (3 lb)/4B (4 lb) - Large, Weight Loss Fitness Sports Hoop with No Wavy Ridges (Rainbow Colors)

I've loved hula hooping since I was a kid--I used to win blue ribbons on Field Day for keeping it up the longest. I'd recently been using a toy hoop to exercise for extended periods of time (I'd alternate clockwise and counterclockwise every couple minutes, for 20+ minutes) but I wanted more of a challenge, so I bought this weighted (3 lb.) hoop. It was, as many others have mentioned, a bit challenging to assemble it initially--it was hard to make sure that the pieces click in place properly. I just rolled back the foam on each of the pieces to make sure that each insertable end clicked into place (then rolled the foam back into place). When you try to pull the pieces apart, they should not budge at all; that's how you know it's ready to go.This hoop is several inches larger in diameter than my toy one, so it looked a bit intimidating, but if you're familiar with hooping in the first place then you should be able to keep it up. At first it felt funny--I tried for a few seconds and it tickled so I had to stop since it was making me laugh. Once I composed myself, though, I tried again and was able to keep it up for a couple minutes. After that, it does start to feel a little uncomfortable from the pressure against your sides and ribs--on the box, it recommends no more than 3 minutes a day for beginners. Since I had been doing hooping and other core exercises, though, I tried it for a while longer (two separate 4-minutes sessions) later and found it fun and challenging. It's cool that weighted hoops actually move more slowly around than the lightweight, toys ones, so it's easier to try things like turning around in a circle as the hoop moves around you.I wouldn't recommend buying this if you've never hula hooped in your life; it takes a certain amount of core strength and coordination to be able to keep it up, especially a weighted one. But if you are already reasonably fit and know how to swivel your hips to keep up the hoop's rotation, then this is a good product to buy to give you a more challenging core workout. It's great to do while you watch TV (you need at least 5 or 6 square feet of space to have room to use this); you can increase the duration of use weekly but it says never to exceed 20 minutes at a time. The initial discomfort of using this wore off after a few days. The day after I first tried it, my sides were so sore that it hurt to try it again that day. But I gradually built up the duration of my workouts with this, and now I often do 30 minutes a day, in ten-minute intervals, still alternating direction every couple minutes (I intersperse the 10-minute sessions with weightlifting and resistance band moves). I found it has definitely built up my core strength, and I still enjoy using this a few times a week.Update: 11 years later and I still have this thing and use it all the time. The foam has gotten slightly dented here and there (probably from my bumping into things in my small apartment) but nothing that affects the functionality at all. It fits in my closet when I want it out of the way. Clearly it’s been a great investment, since I love to hula hoop!Update again: It’s 2023, and I still use this all the time. Only the few minor dents in the foam, but the frame is very sturdy snd does not fall apart. I love hooping while watching my favorite shows. Some variations I try are light jogging while hooping, standing on one leg for as long as I can while hooping, letting the hoop drop from my waist to my hips (which means you have to keep up a faster pace to maintain the rotation), walking around a bit as my space allows, side lunges, and arm circles while (you guessed it) hooping.

I've been using this 3-4 times per week for over two years now. It stays together, shows no signs of wear, and I still love using it! I bought this because I wanted to tone my abs without doing crunches. Using this hoop, I saw noticeable results within the first month. It has improved my overall core strength. I started out at just a few minutes per day and did experience some bruising while I was getting used to it.You need a lot of space to use this hoop! There are very few places in the house where I can use this without bumping in to a piece of furniture, a counter, or some other obstacle. If you have teenage sons, they WILL think you look ridiculous, so it is probably best to do this when they aren't home!After using the hoop for a few months, I settled on a routine that I enjoy, that seems to work a variety of muscles. This is how I use it with an intervals app on my phone (2:40 per motion) and time goes really fast -- * feet together hoop around waist * left foot forward hoop around waist * right foot forward hoop around waist * wide stance hoop around waist * wide stance hoop around buttocks * feet together hoop around buttocks * start over again with hoop going the other directionI didn't use the DVD because I prefer to read or watch TV while using it. Sometimes I bend my knees a little, change speed, or raise/lower the hoop slightly. Sometimes I rotate my hips, and other times I move left to right or front to back. Honestly I don't give it much thought, except when the intervals app reminds me it is time to switch my feet or hoop location.Last week, my rebounder was already out when I was ready to hula hoop. Instead of moving it out of the way, I stepped on and started to work through my routine. WOW! I didn't think I would make it through! It works more muscles and makes it a whole lot more difficult, but still fun. I'd recommend this only after you're happy with using your hula hoop and are looking to enhance your workout.Buy this, and have fun!

80s throwback! Fun as hella though. A friend of mine does professional hoop shows and looks like she has so much fun with it. It inspired me to check out this new craze but when I looked at the spangly super snazzy ones, they were crazy expensive so after reading the reviews and considering that it came with DVD (others make you buy it separately), I decided to part with a few shekels and give this one a go. When I received it though, I almost sent it back unopened. The photos on the packaging were hilarious and look extremely 80s (think Olivia Newton John in leg warmers) but I opened it up and took a peek just for the heck of it. Figuring "how bad could it be" I put it together and the first 3 tries it came completely apart. You have to look inside each of the fittings for a little notch and line it up. After that, it worked like a charm. It's taller and heavier than I expected but I tell you one dang thing.....it freakin' works! You can only do it a few minutes at a time until you build up your tummy muscles but man oh man will you ever build your abs with this thing. It's easy to do because the weight of it helps swing it around without falling to your knees as you swing your hips round and round. I can recommend it for a good ab workout, and if that doesn't appeal, then grab a bottle of wine, schlug it down then make your friends do it. Either way, it's worth the money you spend.