Hoop for Your Heart

On Friday, February 26, you can feel like a kid again

More that just child's play, hula-hoops are making a comeback.  

First lady Michelle Obama recently gave it a whirl on the South Lawn of the White House and it’s been grabbing headlines as the newest fitness craze. But hooping for fitness has been around for ages. Made popular in the 1950s by an American toy company, hula-hoops actually trace their exercise roots to Ancient Greece. If you haven’t tried it since you were a kid, now is your chance to hoop with a master and fellow Club Red members.

Burn away calories

Hooping has been shown to help tone abdominal muscles, increase cardiovascular stamina and strengthen core muscles. Just 8 minutes of hooping can burn up to 110 calories—as many calories as running an 8-minute mile. With lack of physical exercise cited as a top risk factor for heart disease in women, there’s no better time than American Heart Month to think about different ways to incorporate more activity into your day.

Add fun to your workout

“If you're looking for a way to spice up your workout, hooping can add an element of fun and dance while toning your core muscles.” says Loren Bidner, a nationally renowned fitness expert who teaches Hoopclass, a workout dedicated to hooping in New York City. Featured on NBC’s Today Show, Fox News Live and Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Loren’s been leading the hooping revolution. 

Hoop with the expert

On Friday, February 26, Loren will be leading a FREE hooping workout for Club Red members. When? from 6-7 p.m. Where? Newcomb Hall Ballroom at UVA. What better way to celebrate Heart Month and get moving toward your heart-health goals?

Sign up today. Don’t have a hula-hoop? Don’t worry, hoops will be provided with advanced registration.

Did you know? The Guinness World Record for the longest duration of hula-hooping is held by Roxanne Rose. In 1987, she hula-hooped for 90 hours without stopping!