Weighted hula hoops are the latest TikTok trend in the world of fitness and one particular model from Amazon has shot to the top of the best sellers list for the first time since last yearThis article contains affiliate links, which means we will receive commission on any sale of products or services we write. Learn more
The weighted hula hoop may look like a child’s toy but it packs a surprising punch in workout terms for the money(Image: Narin Flanders)
With the promise of warmer weather on the horizon and holiday season fast approaching, it’s an ideal time to kick-start a healthier lifestyle. Simple changes like increasing water consumption, opting for walks over car rides – which not only boosts physical activity but also provides a dose of Vitamin D from the sun – can significantly improve fitness levels.
As a retail writer, I’ve noticed a £17 gadget from Amazon climbing back to the top of the online behemoth’s bestseller list this week. This suggests that consumers are keen to enhance their core strength and sculpt their figures in preparation for beach season.
The humble skipping rope has been sidelined as a high-tech version of another childhood favourite has taken centre stage. The weighted hula hoop is now a FitTok sensation, with thousands emulating celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Beyonce, and Pink by hula hooping their way to wellness, reports Wales Online.
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But do weighted hula hoops work? As someone who works full-time from home between juggling school runs and clubs, I’ve long since cancelled my gym membership and switched to working out in my living room. My preferred workout routines involves the DDP Yoga app, a Cubii under-desk elliptical, which means I can keep moving during some of the hours of virtual meetings that pack out my working day and an entry-level Apple Watch that buzzes passive-aggressively on my wrist if I’ve not kept my step count up throughout the day.
I picked up a weighted hula hoop earlier this year from Wowcher (the exact model has since sold out and been replaced with this higher tech version), keen to channel my inner Wonder Woman – Gal Gadot is another reported fan – and switch up my core workouts. The first thing to know, for anyone keen to jump on the train is this is like no hula hoop you’ve ever seen before.
Made of interlocking plastic links, weighted hula hoops clip together almost like a rollercoaster track, which the weight, attached to a long string, can run freely along. It arrives mostly put together, so I was able to get going quickly, having clipped the weight to the string and attached it to the belt.
Weighted hula hoops have become increasingly popular on FitTok and are a celebrity workout essential(Image: Narin Flanders)
As well as burning calories, weighted hula hoops tone your core and improve posture because to keep the hoop spinning you have to full engage your midsection. There’s a definite knack to this, and if you’re as impatient as me, it can be mildly annoying getting to the point where it works properly, although, in the end, momentum is your friend.
One thing that made it easier once I’d figured it out is that the level of difficulty can be adjusted by how long you have the string that the weight is attached to – this also directly affects the boost you get from momentum. Starting off with the string short makes it easier and also helps alleviate any fears it’s going to fly off and damage your living space.
The versatility of having the option to increase the length as you get used to the feeling makes this feel less of a flash in the pan while, with it being smaller than a traditional hoop, you also don’t have to worry about it falling down mid-way through. Another tip I’d recommend for anyone starting out is to make sure you’re using the hoop over a thick-ish top, as otherwise, you do risk the metal leaving marks around your midsection on your skin.
While best results come from using the hoop for 30 minute sessions it took me a while to get to that point and initially I was very stop-start trying to get the consistent movement. I also learned quickly – and painfully – how important it is to keep your arms up or you end up accidentally hitting yourself with the ball.
While a good playlist will help with keeping the movement steady in a metronome style, I’ve found it more fun using my weighted hula hoop while watching TV – especially with comedy shows that clock up around the 20-30 minute mark. I’ve worked my way through a Gavin and Stacey rewatch and am now mid way through Ted Lasso and, while it can be a bit noisy, it’s nothing a pair of earbuds in won’t overcome.
I can burn between 120-150 calories in half an hour depending on how focused I am on the movement, and while as a very focused movement, it’s not eliminating the rest of my fitness plan, it remains a fun addition to my workout schedule. Amazon’s best-selling version of the deceptively simple-looking item has now notched up 15,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
More than 300 of them were bought by fitness fans in the last month, hence its climbing back up the bestseller charts. The KMart smart hula hoop comes in a range of colours and sizes, with prices ranging from £17.28 to £23.74, depending on the style shoppers choose.
Amazon shoppers have praised for being sturdy, good value for money and fun for all ages and abilities – although some have said the noise level is a bit loud and distracting. Overall, 81% of all reviews are either four or five stars.
One five-star reviewer said she was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by how much she enjoyed using it, adding: “I’ve been using it daily for about 15–20 minutes and can already feel it working my core and waist. It’s also a great option for anyone who wants to stay active indoors. I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a low-impact, engaging fitness tool.”
Another added: “I’d heard that hula-hooping was good for your mid-section, but I’ve never really got the hang of it, so when I saw this, I was intrigued. It’s a well-made, well-thought-out piece of kit that really puts you through your paces in the same way as a hula hoop but is actually doable.
“I’ve built up to around 15 minutes each way now, and can feel some firming up (the adjustable links are a good guide to whether it’s working – if it’s getting loose and you need to remove links to keep it snug around your waist, then it’s working). I would only make one slight caveat – just make sure that you’re wearing a T-shirt or gym vest underneath it, since prolonged use against bare flesh (in my experience, at least), can lead to some fairly marked chafing.”
However, not everyone was so thrilled, with one reviewer saying it wouldn’t encourage them to swap from a traditional (and wider) hula hoop: “I’d hoped this would be a more practical option, with extra fitness levels to hooping. Sadly, this one isn’t for me, it’s very noisy (couldn’t hear the TV over it rattling like a train on tracks) and the ‘massage’ effect felt uncomfortable.
“I used it for 20 mins and my heart rate didn’t go above 90 bpm and I was bored. It’s an alternative to hooping, without the fun, and the drawbacks outweigh the potential benefit of spinning more weight. Shame, as I had been looking forward to it. I’ll stick to hooping.”