History of the Hula Hoop

The Hula Hoop has been around for a lot longer than you may think. In fact, history suggests it was in existence from around the 5th century in ancient Greece.

In those days, the hoop was made from natural materials such as willow, grasses, rattan or vines.

Hula Hoops in the 1950s

But it was in the 1950s that the Hula Hoop really came about as we know it today. The American toy company "Wham-O" were responsible for the most amazing Hula Hoop Craze that hit the playgrounds in 1958.

They achieved this through clever marketing, and an astounding twenty-five million hoops flew off the toy shop shelves in just four months.

Hula Hoops in the 21st Century

Hula Hooping has now been re-invented once again for the 21st century and has grown enormously in popularity lately among adults. It's now not just a bit of playground fun but more of a skill and you'll now see Hoopdancers on the streets of London, hoopdancing to music with several hoops on the go at a time on various positions on the body.

This is more commonly called "Hoopdance" or simply "Hooping" nowadays.

Take a look at this video - a fantastic performance by street entertainer and hoopdancer, Lisa Lottie.


Many exercise classes, often known as Hulaerobics, have sprung up around the country where you can get a workout with your Weighted Hula Hoop. It's believed that you can burn up to 100 calories in just ten minutes doing this sort of activity!

Weighted Hula Hoops have become popular because they're a lot easier to work with and, because they're heavier, they give you a great workout, exercising the core muscles.

They come in different weights so that you can choose one that's suited to your ability and then progress to a heavier hoop for a harder workout when you're ready

Nowadays you can even buy Travel Hula Hoops that can be disassembled and transported in a sensible small bag - perfect for taking to your Hulaerobics class or to the park!

Exercise with a Smile!

Hula Hooping is one of those activities that you can't take part in without a smile on your face, so not only is it great exercise, it's great for the soul too! If you're thinking about buying one, please take a look in our Hula Hoop Shop for the best range and most competitive prices online!