Hoops: Size DOES Matter

Many times, when we’re running hoop jams people tell their children to take the smaller hoops, thinking they will be easier to use, but the opposite is actually the case. Bigger hoops take longer to make their way around your body, so you don’t have to work as hard to keep them up.

Adults at jams often tell us that they ‘used to be able to hoop as children but can’t do it anymore’. After a couple of tries of our mega-size beginner hoops they end up grinning ear to ear having discovered they CAN still do it. From there we step them down through our variously sized hoops until they’re hooping like a pro with an appropriately sized adult hoop.

Unfortunately the majority of hoops available from regular retailers are too small for anyone over about ten and even then, they are too light for many children to keep up. The cheapest ones (covered in shiny tape and usually around $4) are suitable for pre-schoolers, while the larger hard plastic stripey ones with the beads inside would be fine for tweens, but anyone older than that needs to either make their own or buy from a specialty supplier. Some of the really cheap hoops are only made of cardboard (covered with shiny tape). It is best to avoid these as they don’t last very long and are easily kinked.

So, what size should you get? A good rule of thumb is to measure from the floor up to your hipbone and buy/make a hoop with that diameter. Apart from size, weight is another consideration. A medium weight hoop is best for general hooping and circus style tricking while heavy weight hoops are great for achieving a slower, more sensual hoop dance style. Lightweight hoops are great for hand hooping and multi-hoop work.

Keep your eyes open for the cheap hoops that Aldi sells from time to time. A pair of them (with the beads or liquid emptied out and taped to add weight) make great minis for poi-style hooping :)