The Hooping Mad Fit Adventure

Our Famously Fit Couple - Jenny and Wayne - explore the rapidly growing fitness activity of hoopdance to see if the hip swivelling can benefit couples looking to work out together

Added:Mon, 23rd November 09

Will the first fit adventure challenge the highly competitive pair,
reduce them to an aching mess and will they agree or disagree that
hoopdance is a great form of fitness for couples to partake in?

During the 1 ½ hour session of Fitness and Dance hooping Jenny and Wayne wanted to confirm who had the sexiest hips, most supple pelvis, the best rhythm, most tricks and ultimately who could keep their hoop hoolaing for the longest!

Jenny and Wayne joined Diana Defries, a Level 3 Licensed Hoopgirl teacher and a Level 2 Bodyhoops certified teacher. She has been hooping since 2006 when she discovered it almost by accident and became utterly absorbed with it as an activity (www.hoopswhirled.com).

Jenny’s preconceptions

‘I had no ideas what to expect, and went in with an open mind. I had heard Wi-hooping was quite tough…as well as being very amusing; and I was intrigued to see how Wayne would cope- as he usually has snake hips on the dance floor!’

Wayne’s prior thoughts

‘My feeling was more than negative and my impression, as with most alpha males, was that this is an activity for girls as you only see women taking part. I was expecting a woman who is full of bright and flaring clothing and slightly mad’.

Diana arrived with flared trousers, a big smile, lots of enthusiasm as well as an array brightly colored hoops of varying sizes (we later found out she designs and makes her own hoola hoops that can be ordered).

Before we began our hooping adventure, Diana gave us some background into the rebellious and sexy form of activity, which is designed to burn as many calories as skipping. Hoola hoop has been around for nearly 3,000 years where it started with grape vines. We have seen them sporadically over the years, until now! They are back and taking over.

Diana explains that some of the benefits of this surprisingly aerobic low impact activity includes, spine mobilization, stress release, increase body awareness, proprioception and body toning depending on the type of moves performed. But most importantly it will release the inner child, Diana joked.

The verdict

Wayne

We started with the basics moves- learning how to keep the hoop moving around the hips. We soon learnt that it’s about the forward and backward motion of the hips and not a wiggle that will maintain the motion. I soon found if you have a lack of hip movement then you look like a randy Jack Russell!

Jenny

Once we mastered the basic moves the fun really began. We spun the hoop round our waists, chest, hips, knees, hands necks and even bottoms (Wayne was particularly good at the bottom spinning!)

Wayne

It took a while before I got into the rhythm, understood the concept of hooping and broke into a sweat. Diana is a very passionate and vibrant instructor who had a good way of getting the best out of you and I soon realized what was meant about the “inner child”.

Jenny

During the Hooping I did experience moments of danger! When Wayne hoop broke free from his grip and came hurtling toward me!

Wayne

Realizing that the class can be competitive I did ACCIDENTALLY let go of the hoop… oops! Hooping is a low impact exercise and great for anyone breaking away from a sedentary lifestyle, however I this was not an overly physically demanding activity.

Jenny

The class was great fun, we laughed, giggled and gyrated. We
learned to spin the hoop from standing positions, to lying down with the hoop on your hand, walking, spinning and dancing. For couples Hoola Hooping is a great way to de stress, and would work well for those embarking on a fitness program, or recovering from injury, or wanting to try something new; but did not stress me physically.

Wayne

Hooping does offer challenging skill base exercises that made
it interesting and competitive. For me it was an enjoyable experience and good fun and a great way for couples to unwind! For guys generally I found the class a little fluffy; but great for possibly meeting lots of single women??