The Making of Hula Hoops!

Have you ever purchased hula hoops from a store like Walmart or Target?  They are cheaply made, inexpensive and break within a day of use.  They are not designed to actually be used for any length of time.  So you can buy one of those for $5 or you can make alot of them for a whole lot less.  

All you need to do is purchase some rolls of 3/4″ or 1″ PVC irrigation pipe (I purchased 3/4″ but prefer 1″).  They come in rolls of  100 feet or 300 feet.  I could have gotten 1″ in a roll of 300 feet but definitely didn’t need that much.  This time we went with 3/4″ 100 foot roll.  Rolls also come in colors and different PSI ratings.  I purchased blue because it was the only one available in 100 foot lengths.

You will also need the appropriate connector – 3/4″ or 1″.

If you have a PVC pipe cutter that is perfect but you don’t need to buy one.  I cut PVC pipe all the time and just use a hacksaw.  It cuts through the pipe very quickly and is certainly easy enough especially if you have access to a clamp.  The rolls can get a little tricky to cut without a clamp because the roll keeps coiling up.  This time I used a pipe cutter since I was at the campground and didn’t have access to my hacksaw.

Insert the coupling and match up the two ends.

Cover with electrical tape to hold it all together.  You can glue it if you want but I never have and haven’t had a problem yet.

To decorate – use colored electrical tape.  I tend to stock up on as many colors as I can.  Don’t use duct tape – it is not nearly as flexible and stretchable as electrical tape.  Today I made five assorted sized hoops.  I only had time to decorate two so far – Sephora wanted blue and green and Anthony wanted black and orange.

A rule of thumb when making hula hoops – larger and heavier are actually easier.  You wouldn’t think so but they definitely are.  That is exactly why I like the 1 inch PVC hoops.

These are images from other hoops I made.  Yes I have many sizes and stacks of hoops!

That hoop that Seph is holding was my starting point.  I still use it on and off if I really want to hoop for long periods of time.  But I am now working with a hoop that is a little shorter than Sephora.  I have graduated from a 5 ft hoop to a 4 ft hoop.  We now have about 15 different sized hoops and I will be making more – still plenty of piping left in 3/4 and 1 inch.

The larger and heavier the hoop the easier it easy.  I know it seems contradictory but I tell you – it is true.  Start by simply rocking the hoop back and forth above your hips.  Get to know the feel of it.  Then whip it around your body with your feet at least shoulder width apart.  Move your hips from left to right to keep it up.  You do not need to rotate your hips/waist.  The simple side to side movement will keep it going.  If it starts to slide down, give your butt a lift up and the hoop will go right back up.  Lifting your belly is not the trick – in my experience it is all in the toukas…  Don’t ask me how to do tricks yet – will work on more soon. .