FitSugar

Fun: Colorizing and Customizing Your Fitness Gear

Heather Dale — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:00:02 PDT

I find working out to be very personal - I'm sweating, pushing myself to my physical limits, and striving to achieve my fitness goals - which is why I like my workout gear to reflect my style and personality. As soon as I saw Jennifer Aniston present Oprah with a customized yoga mat from Yogamatics earlier this year, I knew I had to have one since I love yoga and needed a new mat anyway. But other than yoga mats, what else can you customize to your liking? Here's a rundown of some of my favorites.

DIY Running Shoes From Nike: Add a splash of color to a new pair of kicks thanks to Nike's ID customization service. Just find your favorite Nike sneaker, use their color palette to find all your favorite colors, and then personalize your shoes with a cute tag (eight characters max). Just playing around with the site and customization options is a fun experience. What are you waiting for - just do it!

See what other gear you can design to your delight.

DVD Review: Hoopnotica - Hoopdance Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:00:00 PDT

After seeing Marisa Tomei's outrageous hooping skills on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I was inspired to check out the level two Hoopnotica DVD, Hoopdance Workout ($20). Marisa made those sexy moves look so easy, and even though I'm no hooping master by any means, if she could learn them from this DVD, I thought I'd give it a shot.

This video begins with an eight-minute warmup of stretches using the hoop, and also includes some time to brush up on the skills you learned in the level one Hoopdance Basics DVD such as hip hooping, hooping in a circle, and corkscrews. Then it moves on to teaching you some new hoop skills that further challenge your upper body strength, coordination, balance, and creativity. I loved the instructor's detailed instructions on how to do moves such as the swoop, hand off corkscrews, chest hooping, and hooping in angles. At the end of each chapter, there is a troubleshooting section, to show you how to work through any problems you may be having. This DVD moves pretty quickly, so I found it helpful to pause after every move so I could practice.

I'm definitely not as smooth and sultry as Marisa or the instructor in the DVD, but trying out these new tricks made me feel like a kid. If you've never tried hooping, it really is a challenging and fun workout. You'll end up working muscles you don't normally work. Just make sure you're using an adult-sized weighted hoop.

To see a video clip of this level two Hoopnotica DVD, keep reading

Marisa Tomei Is a Fan of Weighted Hoops

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:35 PDT

Wondering how Marisa Tomei shaped up to play an exotic pole dancer in The Wrestler? According to Us Weekly, her workout was as innocent as a 1950s backyard pastime - she used a weighted Hoopnotica hula hoop ($50). Using an adult-size, slightly weighted hoop makes regular hooping and doing tricks much easier, which you can learn from the Hoopdance or Hoopnotica ($20) DVDs.

The small amount of weight keeps the hoop spinning longer, so it's better for working out. The more time you're actually hooping, the more you can tone your muscles and burn calories. In fact, one hour of hooping can burn up to 600 calories, but it also tones your muscles and improves your posture. Plus it's fun and sexy, so even though your heart is pumping and you're covered in sweat, it hardly feels like a workout.

To see Marisa showing her hooping skills on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, keep reading

DVD Review: Hoopnotica - Hoopdance Basics

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

Since I just started to get into Hoopdancing, I've been trying out some instructional DVDs to help me learn basic moves and tricks. I really loved Hoopnotica Hoopdance Basics ($19.95). The instructor has a really upbeat personality, and gives great descriptions for how to master certain moves. She is very encouraging, reassuring you that each exercise would take time, and that practicing is the key to making smooth movements. I loved how she says it's important to cheer yourself on, and not get frustrated, since hoopdancing can be really challenging.

The DVD begins with a great sequence of stretching to help open your entire body. I especially loved the stretches she teaches using the hoop. It then moves on to basic hooping, walking in circles with the hoop, walking in all directions, hip hooping, and more advanced moves like lifting the hoop over your head. I've got to say that this DVD moves pretty quickly, so it's important to pause after every move, so you can practice it and get it down. I like how she explains the mistakes you might be making and how to fix them. She also tells you which parts of your body you're working with each move.

This was an awesome cardio workout, and the repetitive movements are great for toning your booty, hips, core, and arms. Plus it's guaranteed to make you laugh. If you want to try this DVD, you can order it through the Acacia website. Be sure to have an adult-sized weighted hoop too.

To see a demo of the video

Get in Gear: HoopGirl Hula Hoop

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:00:00 PDT

My doorbell rang the other day and when I answered it, my postman had left this package (pictured on left) leaning against my door. I laughed out loud and thought, "Hmm. I wonder what that could be. I was so excited that my hoop had arrived, since practicing my moves along with the HoopDance DVD using a dinky hoop I found at a toy store wasn't quite cutting it.

HoopGirl, the woman who made the DVD, says that using an adult-sized slightly weighted hoop makes regular hooping and doing tricks much easier. The small amount of weight keeps the hoop spinning longer, so it's better for working out (the more time you're actually hooping, the more you can tone your muscles and burn calories).

You can order high quality hoops on the website that range in price from $29.99 to $54.99. The less expensive hoops are for people who want a basic hoop. The pricier hoops have more tape on them, which adds more weight so these are better for working out. The most expensive hoop they sell can collapse down in case you want to travel with it.

Want to see what the hoops really look like? Then

read more When you check out the website, you can choose between three different color combinations. The bright colors make them look really cool when they're spinning. I must say that my new hoop made hooping so much easier. With my first try, I was keeping it spinning around my waist for much longer than the kiddy hoop I had. Since it was easier, I kept with it longer, and was able to even figure out how to walk in a circle without dropping the hoop. If you're interested in taking up hooping, I definitely recommend treating yourself to a professional hoop. Now I'm curious, do you ever hula hoop?

Move It at Home: HoopDance

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:00:00 PST

Are you a little skeptical about how hula hooping can keep you fit? I was too until I checked out HoopDance ($24.99). It's an instructional fitness DVD that's perfect for beginners who want to learn how to move their bodies in a sexy way that tones and strengthens. Even if you can't keep a hoop in motion for more than two seconds (like me), Christabel Zamor, founder of HoopGirl, will give you tips on how to keep it spinning around your waist, and how to gracefully pick it up if it falls. Since I'm not much of a hula hooper, I spent the first 20 minutes trying to learn how to get this basic rhythm down, and I could feel my heart pumping, my abs, hips, and lower back working, and I was stripping off layers because I was working up a sweat. All that from the very first chapter of the video!

Want to see a clip of HoopDance? Then

read more Christabel is sweet, extremely encouraging and inspirational, and very descriptive in her instructions, so I was making real progress in my HoopDance skills. It's amazing how learning something new can lift your spirit. I found myself calling to my husband saying, "Babe, it's not falling. It's not falling!" Needless to say, I was very proud of myself, and totally energized from this surprisingly tough workout. If you're looking to add a little fun to your fitness routine, I'd definitely pick up a copy of HoopDance (through the HoopGirl website). It's great even if you can't hula hoop to save your life, but if you stick with it, you'll be able to keep that hoop in motion and learn some cool tricks too. Thanks to Sugar user thirtythreezero for recommending this DVD. Now I'm off to learn how to "Booty Bump."

Class Act: Hooping

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 PST

I am not talking about hoops as in basketball. Nope, I'm referring to the hula hoop here. Beyoncé does it to stay in shape because it simultaneously tones your abs and glutes and helps get rid of love handles. Just like spinning or kickboxing, you can sign up for Hooping classes (also called HoopDance and HoopClass. It may seem like a joke, but in order to keep a hula hoop spinning in motion, you've really got to sway your hips quickly so it definitely gets your heart rate up. Plus hula hooping for eight minutes can burn up to 110 calories, so even though this seems like all fun, it really is a great workout. Ask your local gym if they offer classes or workshops.

Fit's Tip: Looking for a hoop group in your area to meet fellow hula hoopers and learn some cool tricks? Then check out this directory.

Flashback: '60s Hula Hoop and Frisbee Ad

GiggleSugar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:00:00 PST

In a world full of Guitar Hero, iPhones, and dot com dating, it's nice to be reminded of simpler times, times when there were - oh boy! - seven different types of frisbees to choose from. But that's not all Wally, guys and gals could meander on down to the beach to shoop, shoop, hula hoop together. (So that's what they called it?) Good times!

Olivia Wilde Shares Her Beauty Secrets

FabSugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:00:15 PST

Michelle Obama Hula-Hoops to Health

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:00:36 PDT

The secret to Michelle Obama's slim waist? Hula-hooping! The first lady hosted a Healthy Kids Fair on the White House South Lawn this week to promote her ongoing message that Americans need to get healthy.

Among the attendees were chefs and nutritionists who prepared lunch while also passing along the valuable lesson of healthy eating. Afterward, the kids and Michelle completed an obstacle course, hula-hooped, and tried double-dutch jump rope.

The first lady managed to swivel the hula-hoop around 142 times before it fell!

View 7 Photos ›