Fitness Industry Leader, with University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Examines Efficacy of Hula Hooping Fitness Trend.

The American Council on Exercise announced exclusive study findings that conclude hula hooping workouts offer substantial and positive results. With no scientific literature to support the fitness benefits of hooping, the Council commissioned a team from the exercise and health program at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, led by Jordan Holthusen, M.S., and John Porcari, Ph.D., to test whether the modernized workout version of hula hooping provides effective calorie-burning and cardiovascular benefits.

Hooping has become an increasingly popular fitness trend that is being integrated into Pilates, yoga and dance classes nationwide.

“With the evolution of hooping over recent years to become a nationwide exercise trend, we felt it was important to evaluate hooping’s efficacy as a regular fitness regimen component,” says ACE’s Chief Science Officer, Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D.  “The findings from our commissioned study indicate that hooping delivers a total-body workout that can improve flexibility and balance while strengthening the back, abdominal, arm and leg muscles.”

At the conclusion of the test, researchers found hooping burns an average of 210 calories during a 30-minute hooping workout (approximately 420 calories per hour), which is comparable to the exertion of boot camp-style classes, step aerobics and cardio kickboxing.

A complete study summary can be found on ACE’s Get Fit™ website, located at www.acefitness.org/getfit/research.aspx