Merrell News
Twirling towards fitness
Hula hoop workouts could be the way to fitness for those tired of jogging through the rain or putting hour after hour in at the local gym.
Rayne McInturf, founder of Hoopnotica, believes that using an adult-size hula hoop in routines can burn fat, work muscle groups and give a full-body and cardiovascular workout.
Using hoops for exercise - or hoopdancing - involves various techniques such as waist-twirling, passing the hoops round the body hand-to-hand or halos, where the hoop is twirled around the head.
"Just like with anything new, it does take a little practice to get it down. But it really doesn't take that long, compared to other dance classes," Ms McInturf tells the Orange County Register.
In addition to boosting fitness, she claims hoopdancing can allow creative expression, build confidence and be meditative.
Los Angeles-based Hoopnotica says beginners can start with a normal hoop, or specially-weighted ones available from the website.
Other than the hoop, all that's needed is plenty of room to twirl and good footwear, such as Merrells or Inov-8.
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