09/01/2026
Hula Hoop Health Benefits
Can you really use hula hoops for weight loss? Or to build muscle? A few different studies have been conducted on the health benefits of hula hoops.
One study published by Karger compared the health effects of hula hooping and walking. This study found that over six weeks, participants:
Lost an average of 3 cm around the waist by hooping versus 1 cm by walking
Lost an average of 2 cm around the hips by hooping versus 1 cm by walking
Decreased their BMI by 0.2 versus 0.1 by walking
Decreased their whole body fat percentage by 0.85% versus 0.02% by walking
Increased their trunk muscle mass by 0.37kg, on par with walking
Decreased LDL cholesterol by 0.1mmol/L versus no change with walking