Hooping for Toned Hips and a Flat Belly

Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

By Melissa Williams

Grab a hoop and get started.

Here is an exercise from Hooping.org contributor Abby Schwartz:

First move, stand with legs apart in a wide stance, knees bent and feet turned out, so you really feel it in your thighs. Waist hoop with arms out at your sides for two 8-counts.

Then, while still hooping, bring one leg in closer to the other so you are standing with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Come up on the balls of your feet and while continuing to waist hoop for two 8-counts, shift your weight back and forth, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, always on the balls of your feet. It looks a little like ballet steps.

After that move, take a step to the side so your feet are once again flat on the ground, knees bent, feet turned out (same position you started in) and hoop at the waist for two more 8-counts. Continue doing this sequence of three for up to 10 minutes. You can speed it up and reduce it to a single 8-count per position or keep the original pace the whole time.