Hula-hoops make comeback as new fitness craze

First Lady fan Michelle Obama and Nintendo have sent the demand for hula-hoop fitness classes soaring…

The plastic hoop that conquered the globe as a children's toy 50 years ago is back in fashion as a women's exercise prop.

There are reports of hula-hoop exercise classes being fully booked and the fun hip-swivelling workout is even spreading to secondary school PE lessons.

Fitness instructor Vicky Lakin has started up classes in three West Yorkshire towns. She said: ‘It's going mad. I'm fully booked already. I've got about 12 courses running a week at the moment.'

Described as a 'low impact' form of exercise giving a 'full body workout,' the current generation of hoops are bigger than the toy version and weighted. They are said to 'fall down less' and get 'extra momentum.'

The hula-hoop boom was given fresh impetus by the Sport Relief 'hoopathon' on Sunday, which saw the world record broken for the most people hooping simultaneously.

America's First Lady Michelle Obama can also claim some credit for the boom. Pictures of her hula-hooping impressively on the White House lawn as part of a health promotion event were beamed across the world last October. Liv Tyler and Beyoncé are also said to be fans.

Nintendo's Wii Fit Hula Hoop game is also popular with both children and adults. It can burn as much as 100 calories in a ten-minute period so it's possible to burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour.

What do you think of this latest fitness craze? Are you tempted to give it a go? Leave your thoughts below...

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