Everyone is gyrating their hips. You also want to get into the hoop workout, but wonder if hula hoop has disadvantages? Find out here!
I'm basically a very positive person. But whenever a new trend appears, I ask myself whether it also has a dark side. That's exactly how I felt about hula hooping.
When everyone twists colorful plastic rings around their waist, it sounds fun at first and like a lot of fun.
But if you look a little closer, you'll quickly realize that working out with a tire also involves risks.
Yes, unbelievable: there are actually hula hoop cons that you are deprived of.
I've done some research for you and gathered the biggest downsides to the trend. Spoiler: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages!
Table of contents
Now, when I tell you about the disadvantages of hula hooping, I don't want you to give it up or even get scared of the colorful plastic hoop. The point is that you know what you can expect.
This way, you won't experience any nasty surprises during your hula hoop workout.
If you know what to expect, you can adjust to it. I'll show you how to compensate for hula hoop disadvantages and even get an advantage out of it.
The size of the hula hoop is a disadvantage
A conventional tire has a diameter of about 100 cm. This can be a disadvantage both when stowing and during the workout itself.
In the living room, plants, vases and candles can quickly fly through the air when you're hooping. And after the workout, you may trip over the hoop if you have a small apartment with little space for storage.
What you can do about it
Almost all tires that are now on the market can be disassembled into individual parts. So you can put them together and take them apart. Such models come with a small carrying bag in which you can store the parts.
So it's possible that you take the tire in its individual components to the park and let your hips gyrate there. Vases, flowers and co. are spared.
The best example is this model, which has the most and best reviews on Amazon
With a flick of the wrist, the ring is disassembled into 8 parts and the problem is solved.
Skin irritation as the biggest hula hoop disadvantages
In all places where the tire circles directly on your skin, skin irritation may occur. The tires are made of plastic, some are wrapped with tape or other materials for optical reasons.
However, most tires are uncovered. If you choose a very inexpensive model, the hoop may not have been sanded down well. So on the inside remains a thin edge of plastic, which can irritate your skin when you swing the hula hoop.
Most often, the irritation occurs on the hips. And that's when you're not wearing a shirt. If you swing the hoop on your arms, irritated skin can also occur here.
Especially very cheap tires under 10 euros tend to be poorly finished.
What you can do
Wear well-fitting clothes so as not to irritate the skin with the hoop. The shirt should not ride up when you make firm turns. It is worthwhile to read the reviews carefully when buying or if you buy in the store, to look closely at the tire.
Can plastic scars be seen on the inside here? Or do other buyers report this? Hands off.
Hula hoop with knobs - yes or no?
Sore muscles from hula hooping
If you're looking for hula hoop disadvantages that are also advantages, you've come to sore muscles. People tend to underestimate working out with the hoop. After all, it looks so easy and the hoop is nice and colorful.
But you face an intense workout with every swing. The abdomen and back in particular are very challenged, so muscle soreness can set in pretty quickly. But at least it also means you're doing everything right.
What helps against this hula hoop disadvantage
You have a mega muscle soreness after the first workout? That feels anything but good. The muscles hurt and feel heavy.
This time it's for you: Take a break until the pain is more bearable. You don't have to be completely gone to swing the tire again. The next time you work out, just take it down a notch and avoid the pain.
Try these hula hoop exercises!
Bruises and bruises as hula hoop cons
One of the most common drawbacks of hula hoop training is bruises and welts on your hips. Especially as a beginner, your skin is not used to the unusual load.
This is then manifested by large bruises and bruises. But even advanced skiers are not spared. Whenever you want to learn a new trick, bruising can occur.
Especially the very popular hula hoop with knobs cause bruises.
What you can do about it
The heavier the tire, the more likely bruises are. No wonder, there is already quite a lot of weight acting on our waist.
So, what can you do now to prevent this? You have three options
- Wear a belly belt, it protects you from too much pressure of the hoop
- Exchange your tire with knobs for a normal one
- Choose a hula hoop with less weight
If you don't want to get a new hoop, then a waist belt is the best choice. This is a light belt that covers the whole waist. It's like a protective layer for your skin. It makes bruising a thing of the past.
What also works well is reducing the intensity of the workout. Bruising often occurs when you overdo it during a workout and simply want too much. The body first has to get used to this.
This is how you train the pelvic floor with the hula hoop!
Back pain from hula hooping
In order for the hoop to swing around your hips and not land on the ground, you have to swing it properly. This is a very unfamiliar movement for our body. If you are exercising properly, then this can lead to back pain.
The lower back in particular can feel unfamiliar. In most cases, this is a sore muscle. But because we exercise the lower back so rarely, we can't interpret this pain properly.
It may be that the pain radiates to the hip as well.
What you can do about this hula hoop disadvantage
Back discomfort usually occurs because we are untrained. If you start working out now, hula hoop disadvantages like this can occur.
You need to take it slow. You probably overdid the workout and just wanted too much. First take a break until the pain is good again and then start with a leisurely workout.
Always rotate the tire clockwise and counterclockwise. If you let it swing only in one direction, you will load your body unevenly.
It can also help to do special strength exercises or stretching exercises for the back. Build such exercises into your daily routine on a regular basis.
If it doesn't get better, then you should talk to a doctor about your problems.
Tendonitis
In very rare cases, inflammation of the tendons can occur. This happens especially to those who have not been athletic for a long time and then immediately overdo it the first few times.
If your joints or tendons feel painful even after a break from training, get it checked out by a doctor.
Our conclusion
That sounds really daunting at first glance, doesn't it? But don't worry. There are so many advantages that the Hula Hoop disadvantages fade into the background.
So you can train at any time and place, strengthen your abdomen, back, buttocks, pelvic floor and burn a lot of calories while having fun. Sweating and sore muscles guaranteed. So even those pesky fat pads will melt away quickly. Have fun with your workout!
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