I’ve taught over 500 women and children to hoop dance. But for every person who learns, 10 tell me how it’s impossible for them. That means I’ve heard “I could never do that” well over 5000 times!

But guess what?

Every single one of my hoop dance students is able to perform at least 3 tricks by the end of their first class. And most people can waist hoop within 5 minutes. Part of that is because I’m such a fabulous instructor (wink), but most of it is because the people who give it a real try, forget about doing something wrong and they just go for it.

So the next time you’re hung up on what to do next, just do anything. But if you try that and it still doesn’t work, consult this list of hoop dance FAQs. And if you have a question that isn’t answered here, ask in the comments and I’ll update the list.

Hoop Dance FAQs

I have never been able to hoop. Do you think I'm a lost cause?

Anyone can hoop. I wasn’t able to waist hoop until I was 33 years old.

But, learning to hoop is easy once you learn a few basic rules and are fitted with the right size hoop. Plus, there are hundreds of tricks to learn that don’t involve hooping on your waist at all.

Still not convinced?

Check out 8 Things You Should Know Before You Try Hoop Dance.

I haven't hooped since I was a kid. Do you think I'm too old?

Anyone can hoop.

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

~Leroy “Satchel” Paige

Am I too fat to hoop?

Anyone can hoop. It’s not you, it’s your hoop. I promise.

Once you get a hoop that’s fitted for you, you will be on a roll. Check out this guide for some help.

I never workout. Like ever. Will hooping be too hard for me?

Anyone can hoop. You’ll get a great mind-body workout whether you hoop for 5-minutes or an hour. Listen to your body and go at your own pace.

There are hundreds of tricks to learn so you are guaranteed to find something you like and are able to do, no matter how active you have been until now. If exercise is new for you, take it easy in the beginning and talk to your doctor before committing to a new program.

I workout all the time. Will hooping be hard enough for me?

There are hundreds of tricks with dozens of variations and combinations each. Plus, once you’ve mastered one hand, everything can be learned on the other for a completely new hoop dance experience.

Hooping includes hundreds of styles, infused with aspects of many different sports including martial arts, yoga, ballet, hip hop, and more. Hoops range in size and weight from 12-inches and a few ounces to 60-inches and 3 pounds or more.

With so many options, the best thing about hooping is that it is as low-key or up-beat as you like. It can be a fast-paced cardio workout, or an even-keeled muscle-builder. It doesn’t even have to be a workout at all. But, if you’re worried about whether or not hooping is any match for your mad fitness skills, don’t worry. Hooping will win every time.

Don’t believe me?

Try a one-hand isolation for 5-minutes on each arm with a 3-lb hoop without letting the hoop bob up and down. Too hard? Try it for 3-minutes with a 1-lb hoop.

Still too hard?

I think you get it.

I can't waist hoop. Do you have any tricks to make it easier?

When my students have trouble keeping the hoop up, I remind them of the 3 Rules of Hoop Peace.

1) P – Pulse

Instead of swinging your hips in a circle, push them side to side or back and forth. This pulsing motion, is similar to the “push” of a merry-go-round, it’s gentle but just firm enough to keep it going.

2) E – Take it Easy

The hoop moves where you move. That means if you’re swinging back and forth, up and down, so will your hoop. Take a deep breath, and woo the hoop. It can never be forced.

3) ACE – Keep your Abs and Core Engaged

Resist the urge to look down and see if you’re doing it right. When you bend, your hoop moves with you, tilting it to the ground and making it fall. Instead, keep your abs and your core engaged.

This doesn’t mean suck in and hold your breath. But, if your body was a handshake, you want it to be firmly planted between “wet noodle” and “vice grip”. Keep your back straight and head forward, wind up and give it a spin.

For more help, check out this link, which includes a video tutorial for waist hooping.

What size hoop do I need?

That depends on several things, but here are the top 3.

1) Body Shape & Size

2) Fitness Level

3) The Kind of Hooping You Will Do

The bigger and heavier your hoop, the slower it will move. If you are a beginner, or you are looking for a slower-pace, smooth on-body feel, a big hoop is great for you. The smaller and lighter your hoop, the faster it will move. If you are in excellent shape, or you’re only going to work off-body tricks, a small hoop might work better for you.

You can check out this article for more in-depth information about buying your first hoop. Or, get access to personalized attention and hoop dance instruction, including help with picking out your hoop at http://learntohoopathome.com.

Where can I buy A hoop?

Canyon Hoops

Check out Canyon Hoops for beginner, collapsible, and other specialty hoops. Their number is listed right on the website and the owner personally answers the phone. Any questions, just give them a ring and they’ll get you set up right away.

Ruby Hooping

Ruby Hooping is the place to go for lightweight hoops. HDPE, polypro, LED, and specialty hoops are all available and the customer service is top notch. Use coupon code “newfriend” for 10% of your first order.

If there are other hoopers in your area, I highly recommend heading out to meet them and asking to try some of their different size and type hoops. This will give you a better idea what you want before you buy, plus your new hoop friends can give you a recommendation for a local hoop shop.

Where can I learn how to hoop?

1) Do a search for a local hoop jam or hooper meetup. Go out and meet some hoop friends and learn from them. Take an in-person hoop dance class or workshop.

2) Introduce yourself to other hoopers while you’re there and keep in touch after. Take an online hoop dance class. You can learn to hoop at home in less than 20 minutes a day with this easy online course.

3) Search YouTube for hoop tutorials or hoop dances. Grab a hoop and give it a go.

What is the difference between Polypro, HDPE, PE, and toy store hoops?

HDPE and polypro hoops are made of lighter tubing than PE (beginner) hoops. HDPE is “bouncier” and polypro is “firmer”. This is largely personal preference and matters more for off-body tricks, and fast techniques, like ninja breaks.

PE hoops are the heaviest and are made of larger thicker tubing than the rest. This makes it easier to learn waist hooping, and other core tricks.

Toy store hoops are often filled with sand, water, or beads. They are light and small, and and made for children. They can be unevenly balanced and are easily damaged.

Does hooping help you lose weight?

It can. But more important than weight loss, is how much healthier your body becomes as a result of hooping.

You will feel stronger and your body may become leaner. You will exude confidence and beauty.

And at that point, your weight won’t be anything but a number.

I thought all hoopers were strippers. Are you a stripper?

They’re not. Neither am I.

Aren't most hoopers drug addicts?

No. Some hoopers are addicts, but there is a large portion who are recovering.* Some participate in recreational drug use without consequence, while still others abstain from drugs and alcohol entirely. There is no way to tell a person’s drug history by analyzing their hooping ability.

*Many recovering addicts use hoop dance as a way to cope with withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and other side effects of their illness. In many ways, hooping is as beneficial as yoga or meditation for calming the mind and spirit.

What is the name of that trick where you.....?

Depending on where you live, the person teaching, and a number of other things, one hoop trick may have several different names. It gets even more confusing when several different tricks have the same name.

For help, check out this comprehensive list of hoop tricks, including links to tutorials.

Quite often, tricks are named after the shape they make. So, when all else fails, try to think of what the trick is “doing” and see if that jogs your memory.

I live in a small house. Don't you need a lot of space to hoop?

There are hundreds of different hoop dance tricks you can learn, on just as many different hoops. If your indoor practice space is small, you can still practice on-body tricks with a smaller hoop, or off-body tricks with a small to medium size hoop. Later, when it’s nice out, move your practice outdoors and explore all that sky space!

What other questions do you have (or do you answer all the time) about hooping? Comment with your answer and I’ll update this list with the answer.