Twirl and tone with Avon hula hoop classes
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As a kid, hula hooping meant that day in gym class where you tried to get the hoop to go around your waist more than once without it falling. There were always a few who spun circles around the rest of us; swinging their hips at the right speed while simultaneously being able to chat with a friend about their current crush.
Now those natural hula hoopers have spun an entirely new era, creating complex tricks and designing fitness workouts. The popularity of “hooping,” as those-in-the-know call it, has grown primarily due to the people swiveling their stuff during outdoor concerts.
“The festival circuit is where it came into play,” said Jenna Stecker, owner of High Country Hoops. “You see one person doing it and you think ‘Wow, that looks cool. I want to try.’ If five people try it, one person catches the bug.”
Putting the fun in fitness
Stecker started High Country Hoops three years ago. In addition to making and selling hula hoops, she teaches both technical and fitness classes. Hoop Fit is a workout that uses the hoop to engage one’s core muscles. With a background in kinesiology and personal training, Stecker found hooping to be a natural fit to exercise.
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“It’s not a huff and puff, high intensity (class),” Stecker said. “But you do sweat and get a cardio vascular workout. I try to incorporate muscle toning: we do squats, we do lunges, we do arm-toning things that target biceps and triceps.”
Unlike other fitness classes that are so intense you entertain thoughts of sneaking out, Hoop Fit is about having a good time with the added benefit of burning some calories. Avon resident Jessie Sipkovsky has been attending Hoop Fit since February. She said the workout has helped improve her bad back.
“It’s like you’re a kid and can just go play,” Sipkovsky said. “You do a spin class and it’s a grind and it’s grueling, but this is fun and you’re still getting a workout.”
‘Alternative to dancing at a concert’
In addition to Hoop Fit, Stecker also teaches a class more focused on twirling tricks. Hoop Tech is a more laid back atmosphere where hoopers can learn cool moves like the “Vortex,” “Rising Sun,” and the “Wedgie.” Stecker said it typically takes one session for someone to get the basic fundamentals down.
“Most everybody can do it if they just have a little perseverance,” Stecker said.
Once whirling the hoop around your waist and wrists feels easy, Stecker shows you how to hoop with one leg, twirl two hoops at a time and dazzle the crowd like a true hoop dancer. One of the reasons hooping has spread at music shows is that one can vary the rhythm according to the music.
“It’s a fun alternative to dancing at a concert,” said Eagle-Vail resident Shannon Kennedy.
If you’ve been to State Bridge recently, you might have seen Stecker and others using a fire hoop to light up their spins. A spitfire hoop has five spokes with wicks that are lit with camping oil. Once lit, one can spitfire hoop for about three to five minutes, provided you don’t get burned. Eagle-Vail resident Jen Davis often performs at State Bridge with Stecker.
“Hula hooping and doing tricks is impressive enough that when you add fire to it, it brings it to another level,” Davis said.
Whether it’s for fitness, fun, or both, hula hooping is no longer just a way to fill time during gym class. According to Stecker, “celebrities” in the hooping culture have developed their own style that many recognize even in silhouette. With a little practice, one might be able to outshine the bands themselves at the next big music festival.
“It’s a really great way to express yourself, “Stecker said. “It’s an art, nobody hoops the same way.”
