Frequently Asked Questions
1. What size and style of hoop should I get? Should I get an Earth Hoop, an Air Hoop or a Ninja Hoop?
2. Maintenance and hoop life: how long can I expect my hoop to last?
3. What is the difference between the Earth Hoop, Air Hoop and Ninja Hoop?
4. What is hoop dancing? Where can I learn?
5. What is a travel hoop?
6. How long until I get my hoop?
7. What type of tape is used on the hoop?
8. What is the shipping cost?
9. Where do I pick up my hoop in Ottawa?
10. Is there a discount on bulk orders?
1. What size and style of hoop should I get? Should I get an Earth Hoop, an Air Hoop or a Ninja Hoop?
Getting a hoop that has the right size and weight for your body’s size and shape and for your level of experience is the first most important step to enjoy your hoop dancing.
Whether you want to hoop for fitness, for fun, for self-expression or for performance, if your hoop is sized right for you, you’ll want to pick it up over and over again. Your initial investment will bring hours and hours and possibly years of enjoyment.
The size of your hoop is a very personal choice. The suggestions below are based on the preferences that I’ve seen for most people, based on 10 years of making hoops for people and teaching both beginners and more advanced hoopers. These are guidelines only, the general rules of thumb are:
Bigger and heavier rotates more slowly = easier to ‘keep it up’
Smaller and lighter rotates faster = more challenging to ‘keep it up’ but more versatile
Too heavy=uncomfortable
Too light=too difficult
Hoop weight should match your level of experience: The bigger and heavier a hoop is the more slowly it rotates, making it easier to ‘get it’ and to ‘keep it up’. More advanced hoopers will enjoy lighter weight hoops that give a bit more versatility.
Hoop diameter size should match your size as well as your experience level: Your hoop size will be different depending on your height and waist size. A child or petite adult will enjoy a smaller hoop and a curvy plus size adult will enjoy a hoop that is bigger. The smaller the hoop is the faster you need to move with it.
Size chart
Below is a quick size chart to help you decide which hoop is best for you. If you are an average size adult and you are really still not sure we recommend going with 40” Earth Hoop as your first hoop.
*Body size
Adult Small : less than 5’2” and/or less than 115 lb
Adult Medium : more than 5’2” and/or more than 115 lb
Adult Large (curvy plus size) very tall
**Hoop size
When a range of sizes is suggested choose based on your height
2. Maintenance and hoop life: how long can I expect my hoop to last?
Your hoop has the potential to last a lifetime. 2 main things can protect your hoop from damage.
- Don’t leave your hoop in a car on a hot sunny day and keep away from extreme heat sources such as heat vents as these can warp your hoop.
- Take care of the decorative tape and grip tape on the hoop. The tape may show signs of wear over time. The hoops can be re-taped. Certain things contribute to the wear the hoop tape. Follow these suggestions to keep your hoop looking as beautiful as possible:
-Stay off pavement since every time the hoop fall on the pavement it will tear the tape little by little. When hooping outdoors find grass to practice on.
-Avoid back rolls (walk-the-dog backspin on the floor tricks) these wear the hoop tape.
3. What is the difference between the Earth Hoop, Air Hoop and Ninja Hoop?
Check out our Buy hoop page for a description of these 3 styles of hoops and the material used for each type.
4. What is hoop dancing? Where do I learn?
Hula hooping a.k.a. hooping has evolved into a highly expressive and creative form of movement art and playful fitness. Shaking your hips like a hula dancer inside this circular ring is only one of the many, many moves you can do with your hoop. It is a dance partner: you feel the music as you expressively dance, playfully twisting and turning the hoop with your hands, moving it up and down your body, rolling it across your body, tilting and tossing it. The possibilities are endless.
Many cities offer hooping classes and hoop jams, events that help you expand your vocabulary of movement with the hoop and meet others to build community. Here in Ottawa during Sophie Latreille teaches regular classes. See www.OttawaCircusSchool.com/hooping for more about her classes.
We also find daily inspiration on youtube and social media.
Here’s a video of Sophie Latreille hoop dancing.
5. What is a travel hoop?
A travel hoop comes apart in 5 or 6 sections to transport it easily by bike, bus, plane or car. The sections connect with push-button connectors. Each section is 18 to 22 inches long and all fit in a yoga mat carrying bag or can be strapped over the shoulder like a bow. This sectional hoop does not affect the quality or the strength of the hoop. The buttons stick out of the hoop by 1/8 inch.
6. How long until I get my hoop?
The turn-around time is about one to two weeks, plus 3 to 5 business days for shipping. Normally you should have your hoop within 2 weeks or less of placing your order.
7. What type of tape is used on the hoop?
We use gaffer tape also know as spike tape, this provides a little texture and grip to help the hoop not ‘slide’ down the body as much. We also use metallic reflective tape because it catches the light nicely and makes for beautiful shiny metallic-looking hoops. A mix of these two types of tape gives you a beautiful hoop that has some grip to help you control it better.
8. What is the shipping cost?
For pick up in Ottawa, you can save the shipping amount.
For shipping in Canada, the shipping cost for 1 or 2 hoops is usually $25-$30 unless shipping to a more remote location.
9. Where do I pick up my hoop in Ottawa?
Once your order is ready for pick up we’ll send you an email with pick-up instructions including the address near Blair Road in Ottawa.
10. Is there a discount on bulk orders?
The minimum bulk order is 20 hoops. a 20% discount applies. Please contact us to set up a bulk order.