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StudentPermalink Reply by Tink in Tokyo on June 8, 2012 at 6:11am

You'll be fine with either. See what's available. If you can get the specs for the materials, do a little math. See how many grams/meter (or oz/ft) and then multiply by the number of meters you'll use for each hoop. That will give you a basic weight for the hoops. Tape adds a fair bit, too. Don't worry too much about making them really heavy, too much weight will bruise your new hoopdancers.

Also for your class, teach them to walk, turn and move their arms. With waist hooping, walk, turn and wave, you can all start to dance. And that burns more calories and is more fun, too.

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Permalink Reply by Jude L. on June 8, 2012 at 11:44am

I didn't even think of having them walk and what-not! That's a great idea! Thank you so much!

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StudentPermalink Reply by dinahmyte on June 8, 2012 at 9:36am

I think the 3/4" 160 psi would probably be good so the actual tubing isn't so big, but it still has the weight... but Tink brings up a good point about bruising!  beginners definitely wouldn't benefit a lot from using polypro, because it's as hard as it is to learn on a kids hoop... plus if it's related to weight loss, they definitely don't want to use polypro in the beginning! the heavier tubing like the ones you mentioned would benefit them better.  but i definitely wouldn't go any heavier.  I think i used the 3/4" 160 psi when i first started out.  

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Permalink Reply by LiviJoyHoops on June 8, 2012 at 10:46pm

Here's the progression of materials that I went through during the four months that I have been making hoops/learning to hoop:

1)I started with a 100ft spool of irrigation tubing, 3/4"  160psi ($37.00?)..  The first hoops I used duct tape and ended up hating it.  I was more pleased with electrical/vinyl tape.

2)Once I got used to learning to hoop (no past experience!), I wanted to try knee hooping.  The first hoops were bruising the beegies out of my knees!  However I loved,, (and still do) the weighty feel around my waist.

I decided to try the 1/2" 125psi tubing ($15?), and was able to learn knee hooping and experiment with chest/shoulder hooping.  I recommend maybe cutting back the couplers a notch or two, because these hoops seemed to flatten out easily at the joins.  These were significantly lighter, and if I make them smaller, they will make great mini hoops for off body tricks.

3)Wanting to get a sense of a bit more control, I decided I wanted to go back to a thicker 3/4", but in the 100psi weight ($25?).  These are my current favorites as I am progressing even further these days.

4) Tape...the good stuff needs to be ordered online. ( Hoopsupplies.com....)  Before I was able to get mine online, I had picked up some hockey tape from the sporting goods store to give the hoops some grippiness that also helped keep the hoop up, and it may be necessary to get some for your beginner hoops.  gaffers tape (online) is a better quality, doesn't fade or roll and stays cleaner...albeit more expensive.  Hockey tape will work for beginners if you are wanting to be cost effective!  In my learning experience, I love the look of the sparkly shiny tape, but it's not cheap and it's not super durable.  best advice (from me) is to start with vinyl electrical tape in combination with hockey tape.  I think one hoop would price out to be $6-9 apiece--including the tubing, tape, and insert coupler.

Ok so I am rambling, and there is tons of different/better advice out there!  In the end, I am really happy with my progression in hooping in relation to the hoops that I had to work with.  Where I sit today, I have yet to hoop with a poly pro hoop--I am kinda curious!  If I never get the opportunity to, I will continue to hoop with my good ol' CHEAP irrigation tubing!  that was fun sharing!

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StudentPermalink Reply by MaisieHoops of *HulaHoopers.ca* on June 9, 2012 at 6:55am

In my experience, most of the beginners in my classes tend to gravitate to the 3/4 inch 100 PSI hoops.  I have some 160 PSI, (also some superpex and polypro) but almost all go for the one I mentioned.  Good luck and have fun!

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