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Hula hoop workouts can offer many benefits but you may want other options. What are some alternatives to hula hoops with similar benefits?
Hula hoops are hoops, a circle, made of different types of material that can be used to get in a light cardio workout that additionally trains your coordination a nice amount.
Additionally, you don’t need a lot of room at home to use a hula hoop and many people consider it to be a fun way to get in some extra movement.
Whether you don’t enjoy using a hula hoop, you want an alternative that is easier to use, or you want an alternative for any other reason, these hula hoop alternatives can help you train similar areas of your health.
Keep in mind that implementing these alternatives can offer benefits but like while using any exercise equipment, there is always some risk of injury.
Make sure you use these equipment options in a safe way and if needed, get guidance from an expert.
1. Jump rope
A jump rope is simply a rope that can be used to jump over at a fast pace. At first, it can be hard to imagine that a small piece of fitness equipment can be a good option for cardio workouts.
However, jumping rope is a great alternative way to train your cardiovascular health at home, outside, or in the gym. It resembles hula hoop workouts in many ways.
First of all, jumping rope will definitely help you train your coordination. Especially if you implement some of the more challenging tricks.
Additionally, you barely need any room to use a jump rope. And even if jumping rope with a regular rope still requires too much space, there are even cordless jump ropes that can solve this issue.
Besides that, both of these options are relatively cheap cardio exercise equipment alternatives.
Jumping rope is even better than using a hula hoop in a few ways. It offers a more challenging cardiovascular workout that burns more calories, you will challenge your leg muscles more, a jump rope requires less storage room, etc.
One thing to keep in mind is that jumping rope can be relatively rough on body parts like knees and back, especially if you have a lot of pounds to lose. As long as you don’t overdo it this can lead to stronger bones but your injury risk does become higher.
Something else to know is that jumping ropes will not work your oblique, inner thigh, and outer thigh muscles as much as hula hooping.
2. Step aerobics stepper
Step aerobics is a type of workout where you do sequences of steps with extra movement on and off a raised platform named a stepper, usually with music in the background.
Many people consider this exercise as a fun way to get in some extra movement.
Step aerobics offers you a variety of benefits like burning a lot of calories, training your leg muscles, improving balance and coordination, improving cardiovascular health, it is considered to be a fun way to work out, etc.
Most of these are similar to what you can expect from using a hula hoop.
Additionally, a step aerobics fitness equipment kit is also relatively cheap, easy to store, and compact to use.
Check step aerobics equipment prices
3. Mini trampoline
This next hula hoop alternative is not the most popular but it can definitely offer you many of the same benefits. Mini trampolines are basically a bouncy surface you use to jump on.
Doing this can challenge your cardiovascular system, improve coordination, engage a few muscles, etc. Generally, even more so than doing a hula hoop workout.
There are also some differences that can be important depending on your personal situation.
First of all, jumping on a mini trampoline can be slightly harder on your body than using a hula hoop. Not as much as jumping rope since the springs absorb a lot of the impact but this is still something to keep in mind.
Additionally, a mini trampoline engages different muscles. Even though mini trampolines are sometimes foldable, this piece of equipment is also generally harder to store. It generally requires a larger investment than a hula hoop too.
4. Walking or running shoes
Bigger cardio machines and some of the less typical cardio equipment options can definitely be a good addition to a workout plan. Even so, it can also be good to remember some of the simpler, yet effective, alternatives.
Walking or running outside or on a treadmill indoors is a great way to train your cardiovascular health and to some extent coordination. On top of that, your muscles will have to work a nice amount.
To do these outside cardio workouts you preferably have good walking or running shoes to protect your feet, knees, hips, and lower back.
Luckily these shoes are relatively cheap, especially if you compare them to the powerful cardio workouts they allow you to do.
Extra sunlight, even if the sun is not shining brightly, also generally benefits things like sleep and health more than artificial light. Depending on where you live, going outside can also offer a fresh breath of air.
One downside of this hula hoop alternative is that you are more dependent on the weather.
You can walk or run in the rain but this is less comfortable than working out indoors. You also need enough room outside to go for a comfortable walk or run.
Something else to remember is that running can also be slightly harder on your knees and lower back than using a hula hoop. This can lead to more bone-strengthening but involves a higher injury risk as well.
5. Mini stepper
Mini steppers are devices with two pedals that go down slowly if you put pressure on them. This enables a movement session that would be similar to climbing stairs with low steps.
This alternative is more of a lower-intensity cardio equipment option. Using a hula hoop isn’t the most intensive workout either but if you want serious cardiovascular exercise benefits mini steppers are likely not for you.
A few things where mini stair steppers stand out are their compactness, easy storage, and silent usage.
In addition to that, they are relatively inexpensive and easy to use while doing other activities like talking to friends or family or watching tv.
One potential downside of mini steppers compared to hula hoops is that they can be more challenging when it comes to balance.
The pedals are on the small side so you want to put your feet on them exactly right and not swing back, forth, and sideways too much.
On the one hand, this can help you train your balance and coordination more during your cardiovascular workout. On the other hand, this can distract you from the workout and cause unintentional rest periods.
