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If you grew up any time between 1958 and the early 2000s, hearing ‘hula hoop’ likely invokes countless cheerful memories of a childhood spent with the plastic toy whirling around your hips on the playground, in gym class, and maybe even in your own yard. But in recent months, the hula hoop has returned to popular culture, taking over TikTok and Instagram feeds everywhere. Only this time, it’s not being heralded as some nostalgic kids’ toy, but it’s the latest fitness craze to offer a challenging workout with the ease of a single piece of equipment.
Even in their traditional lightweight, plastic form, hula hoops are a legit aerobic workout, but the hula hoops making their way into homes and gyms these days take it one step further by adding some weight. And as it turns out, adding a weighted hula hoop to your exercise regimen is not only a fun way to spice things up, but it really is a solid workout as well (actually though! The more weight you add to the hoop, it'll stay up on your hips better). “The aerobic benefit to using a weighted hula hoop is similar to dancing–you can definitely find a nice sweat with it,” says Dani Schenone, an ACSM-certified personal trainer and a holistic wellness specialist at Mindbody. (All you need is your fave workout playlist and you're good to go.) “Hula hooping is also a major core workout. We’re talking obliques, transverse abdominals, and more! The motion of hooping strengthens the glutes and quads. Plus, it’s a great cardiovascular workout,” Schenone says.
Of course, there are certain things to keep in mind when starting out with a weighted hula hoop, beginning with finding the right size for you. “When you have the hoop around your waist and tilt it to a vertical position, the top of the hoop should hit your waist and/or chest,” Schenone points out. “If you want to encourage more effort, start with a lighter weight hoop. If you want to take it easy, start with a heavier hoop.” You'd think it'd be the opposite, that beginners should try a lighter weighted hoop, but that's actually more of a workout for your hips to keep the hoop going–a heavier weighted hoop will be easier to keep in the air for longer.
She also notes that it’s important to have plenty of room around you without any interference, especially if you have kids or pets running around your home. And since hula hooping can place considerable strain on the back, it’s wise to consult your doctor before using if you already experience back pain of any kind.
Ready to take a trip down memory lane and make hula hooping a part of your weekly workouts? Try taking one of our best weighted hula hoops for a spin.
This hoop's one of Schenone’s faves, both for the size and the super fun colors. It boasts muscle stimulation that intensifies with movement, so the harder you spin, the more intense of a workout you’re getting. Plus, it has a soft rubber-foam padding, so you can still be comfy while you're hooping.
If multiple people will be using it or if you’re looking to add or subtract weight depending on the day or exercise, this should be your go-to hoop. You can remove one or two of the eight detachable sections for a smaller, lighter hoop, and you can take all eight apart to store in your tiny apt or even travel with it (why not?).
So, it’s your first time picking up a hula hoop in at least 20 years...Well, in that case, we have good news! Weighing in at just about a pound and available in a variety of fun colors, this one also comes in a few different diameter sizes so you can find the absolute best fit for you.
Want a medium-level workout? Go with the Dynamis weighted hula hoop. The 2.4-pound hoop will bring on a great sweat without risking form or safety, and even though it’s slightly heavier than a one-pounder, it’s still comfortable to use thanks to a soft, foam-padded layer. You can also store or pack this hoop easily since it can be broken down into eight pieces.
If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard or nearby park, take advantage of those sunny-weather days by working out outside with this super packable hula hoop. With six come-apart segments, you can customize the diameter and weight from 37 to 42 inches and 1.1 to 1.5 pounds, and reflective design makes it safe to use even as the sun is setting. Plus, it comes with a hoop strap to easily store and transport your hoop wherever you go.
So this hoop has a stainless steel body that weighs about 2.4 pounds, but you can add more weight with the help of sand, beans, or steel balls (feel free to get creative). The hoop is covered in a non-slip, soft foam and can be taken apart into six sections for easy storage. It's also the best price you're gonna find out there.
If this hula hoop looks a little different from the others, that’s because it is. It's made from hard plastic so it's durable, and it fits snugly around your waist. That thing attached is actually a three-pound hanging weight that swings around your body as you spin. This not only keeps the momentum going, but it also supports your lower back (a plus!).
We found another good bargain for ya. You can easily assemble and take apart this stainless steel inner tube (the outside as spongy, double-layer foam for high-density compression and shock absorption to keep your muscles from straining). And the cute unicorn-y colors will deliver a fun dose of nostalgia with that muscle.
NGL, these kinda look like giant rosary beads (IYKYK), but the goal is for the real hula hoopers to challenge themselves with this weighted hoop. The hoop measures 36 inches and about 5 pounds in weight, and forces you to work harder to keep it spinning since it’s not a perfect circle.
Don't be intimidated by this one: Because it has the option for heavier weight, it'll actually be easier to keep it in rotation. The 3.3-pound hoop comes with extra weights that you can add on to adjust the total to up to 5.3 pounds.
You're not just going to walk around carrying hula hoop pieces on your way to the gym, are you? Didn't think so. Stick the collapsible parts of your hoop inside this duffel, or if you have something like the Hoopnotica, stick it in the yoga mat loop so you have room for your change of clothes and other gym essentials inside the bag.
Gabby Shacknai is a New York-based journalist and editor who produces high-quality content for a wide variety of outlets and brands across various industries.
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