It’s the Hula Hoop’s anniversary – the golden one already? Seems as though it’s come, well… full circle over the years.

Just one year after it came out, the company that makes the hip toy sold more than 100 million Hula Hoops.

Fifty years later, the hoop is regaining its popularity as a fun and challenging way to exercise – it’s even a featured activity on Nintendo’s new Wii Fit.

And in case you’ve never tried it… or you just need a Hula Hoop refresher, check out these easy instructions I found at hooping.org (yes, there’s even a web site!):

Hold the hoop against your back. You can start it a little above your waist…

Many people try to move their hips in a circle with the hoop. This actually makes hooping much harder. Try this: put one foot in front of the other and just shift your weight back and forth from foot to foot. It’s less of a circular hip motion and more of just a rocking or pumping motion.

The last time I tried to hoop it up was just a few years ago, and wow, it’s a lot harder than what I remember as a kid – my body just doesn’t move the way it used to. How about you? Do you hula hoop? When’s the last time you gave it a try?

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