Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program

by Christabel Zamor, Christabel Zamor

Imagine an exercise that works every major and minor muscle group, burns 600 calories an hour, builds balance and flexibility, requires no investment beyond $25 to $35, and makes you feel exuberant, delightful, sassy, and sexy. And is so much more like play than work that you want to keep doing it.

That's right, what goes around comes around―the Hula-Hoop, which burst into fad-dom fifty years ago, is hot all over again, but this time for enormously beneficial reasons. Christabel Zamor, credited with reviving the Hula-Hoop with her HoopGirl Workout, is leading what Time magazine calls "the inventive new wave of fitness...that is catching on in health clubs across America." Hooping brings the best of HoopGirl into a full-color, fully illustrated book plus a 40-minute instructional DVD. Here's how to get started―where to find and how to use the larger, heavier "sticky" hoops; stretches and warm-ups; and what to wear. And then more than 50 step-by-step exercises that focus on the core (abs, back, butt), upper body, lower body, and overall well-being. The exercises are as fun as they sound―Limbo, Booty Blitz, Float Up, Wildwest―and each group comes with a recommended playlist of music, plus "challenges" for going further.

Hooping!: it's not just fitness, but metamorphosis, into a renewed you, with a strong core, joyful attitude, and a glow of self-confidence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference

210 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2009

Reviews

[Brandi Denson · Rating 2 out of 5]

You would think Christabel invented hooping... or at least singlehandedly brought back hooping to America since the fad died after the '50s.

I'm a beginning hooper, more advanced than level one beginner on Hoopnotica, but not so advanced that I'm on intermediate yet. Christabel does a great job explaining the benefits of hooping and encouraging a positive attitude, but the rest of the book is awful. The illustrations aren't that helpful and the text can actually be counter-productive. For example, she says to slow the hoop down to drop into hip hooping, and to speed it up to pop back into waist hooping. This is simply misleading! Waist hooping vs. hip hooping has nothing to do with speed, but is adjusted by adjusting the movement of your body, i.e. the pressure points you are pushing onto the hoop.

I got zero help from this book whatsoever. YouTube tutorials are much more helpful. Do not waste your money.

[Shahrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book about 18 months ago, as I'd not long taken up hoop dancing, really wanted to learn new stuff but due to shift work it's not easy for me to get to classes. In the mean time (I'd kinda forgotten about this book), my interest stagnated due to not knowing how to progress. So my poor hoops have been temporarily abandoned. No more! I am itching to dust them off and get going again - all thanks to this book. It is a great mix of tutorial (not seen the DVD yet - but what a great idea!), both the authors - and others- personal stories, motivational and life style tips/pointers, spiritual and medical guidance and even some recommended playlists to get you started. All in all a pretty well balanced book and essential reading for any interested Hooper.

Random note: my first hoop teacher was actually trained and licensed by Christabel Zamor - so I already know some of the tricks in here :)

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read this book all the way through yet. But, from what I have read it is a good example of an instructional manual. I got it at a discount place so I am missing the DVD. For a book that is trying to describe a movement practice it does a really good job. I have been able to figure out how to accomplish specific tricks when I read and look at examples. The pictures are lovely. Routines are offered in the back of the books. Interviews are done with hoopers for ways in which hooping has transformed their life.

Not groundbreaking - but it accomplishes skillfully its goals.

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a visual guide to doing Hula Hooping as a fitness program. I discovered that some people use hooping for stress relief. Hooping can help backs heal because it strengthens the core muscles in the lower back and around the spine. Ms. Zamor presents the information in a fun, easy style. There were many resources and a few recipes included in this book. I think it is a good reference for this type of fitness program.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of pictures (and a disc) to learn all the hooping fun you could ever have. I once hooped as a kid, but got flabby so hooping is just a dream. I bought the book, to try to tone my flab and start hooping again.

Hoop Heaven!
Great book

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learn how to do more than just standing and twirling the hula hoop around your waist. This is an intro to hoop dancing. Lots of pictures and explanations of technique. The book includes a DVD to help you learn how to do the various techniques.

[ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview and intro to hooping, but also includes more advanced techniques.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

How about read the book, but currently trying to put it into practice.
It will be a long while before I can do some of these moves, but oh so fun.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buying a hoop...great starter book. Websites listed need some updating :0(