Power Pilates. Fire yoga. Hysterical spinning. As if these weren’t hard enough, now there’s backpacking the Himalayas, sweating your ass crack in boot camp, and “lengthening” in stretch torture machines. When did working out get so e-ffing hard?  Who was that “no pain, no gain” jackass?

Well, getting fit has made a total 360 … literally. Welcome back, groovier than ever (drum roll, please) …the hula hoop!

Yes, there was a time when the hula hoop was our greatest enemy.  Not only did it separate the coordinated from the clumsy, but it was a hella of a toy to lug out to the playground.  But now, the hoop is being used to give ladies some rockin’ abs.

Introducing Hoopnotica

Celebs like Marisa Tomei, Liv Tyler, and Beyonce are getting in shape for lead roles and demanding tour schedules through this hot new fitness trend. Using a weighted-hoop as a form of exercise, Hoopnotica provides an energizing and effective low-impact workout that helps ladies shake off those extra pounds by wiggling their hips  - enough to make the world go round.

Actually ladies, “hooping” can burn between 400-600 calories an hour – all from spinning a weighted adult sized hoop rhythmically around the waist while listening to cool tunes. That’s better than hitting the treadmill or any midday quickie. Really? Yep, get this…hooping it up:

• Tightens your core
  
• Tones muscles
• Increases flexibility
• Improves coordination
• Strengthens your cardiovascular system

Our friends at Hoopnotica offer a “Starter Kit “ which includes a TravelHoop, Level 1 and Level 2 DVDs and two Hoopmix CDs of inspiring music.  Hoopnotica also sells a wide range of colorful weighted hoops, in addition to a variety of hooping apparel and accessories.

Hoopnotica classes are available in 79 cities and 30 states across the US and Canada. Hoopnotica is training new instructors on a regular basis, and Hoop Groups are rapidly multiplying across the country.

Now, doesn’t that sound like way more fun than scaling sand dunes in the Mohave desert? I would like to think so …

Visit www.hoopnotica.com to see available styles and to find Hoopnotica classes nearest you

Starter Kit, $89.99

Weighted Hoops, $39.99-$49.99

- Julie H.