Is hula hoop an effective exercise for weight loss?

If you enjoyed playing with hula hoops as a child, you might want to incorporate it into your exercise regimen.

A report on Pinoy MD shed the spotlight on the fun sport, and introduced Marivic Concepcion, a hula hoop enthusiast.

Marivic bought her first hoop in 2016 and currently owns six different ones.

In addition to ones she uses for fun, she also has weighted hoops that she uses for exercise.

She said that since she began using it as a workout, she went from 98 to 74 kilograms.

"Gumaan talga, magaan sa katawan. Nabawasan ng fats dito sa parte ng bewang," she said.

According to fitness coach Gabriel Zarraga, the core muscles and hip muscles do the work when exercising with hula hoops.

He said that weighted hoops require more energy from users, which could help in weight loss.

"Since weighted siya, mas mahirap i-execute ‘yung movement …  so mas marami kang energy gagamitin, meaning mas marami kang calories na ma-bu-burn," he said.

He suggested combining it with resistance training or at least simple push ups or abs exercises.

"Depende pa rin kasi siya sa diet and overall exercise program natin," he said.

If you're looking for people to do hula hoop exercises with, there are groups you can join. Marivic joined one for mommies, and they gather together and workout together during their free time.

However, she said that whether she's with other people or not, she still makes sure to get that workout in.

"Kahit mag-solo lang ako sa bahay, nag-hu-hula hoop talaga ako," she said. "Kung saan ako abutin, kung may space na maganda, talagang nag-hu-hula hoop ako doon." —JCB, GMA News