Hula Hoop: Polypropylene, HDPE, Tape and Diameter
Choosing your Hula Hoop
Find the perfect circle
Forget the flimsy plastic hoops from the supermarket. Hula hooping has become a technical, fluid, and hypnotic discipline (Hoop Dance). Diameter, tube thickness, material, grip... This guide by enthusiasts gives you the keys to getting the right equipment.
- HDPE vs Polypropylene
- Adult & Child Sizes
- The Importance of Tape
On the agenda:
What diameter should my Hula Hoop be?
This is the basic rule in Hoop Dance: the larger the hoop, the slower it rotates, and the easier it is to control. A large hoop gives your body time to understand the movement. Conversely, a small hoop will be very fast-paced and technical.
The waist size guide
We often hear about the "belly button rule" (the hoop placed on the ground should reach your belly button), but basing it on your waist measurement is much more accurate:
- Size 58-62 cm: Diameter 80 or 85 cm
- Size 62-66 cm: Diameter 90 cm
- Size 66-74 cm: Diameter 90 or 95 cm
- Size 74 cm and over: Diameter 100 cm
The size/age guide
Children have a smaller, more responsive pelvis, but they also need time to understand the rocking motion.
- ~ 4 years (1.00 m): Diameter approx. 60 cm
- ~ 7 years (1.20 m): Diameter approx. 65 / 70 cm
- ~ 12 years (1.50 m): Diameter approx. 75 / 80 cm
Don't hesitate to choose a hoop that's slightly too big for a beginner child; this will greatly facilitate their first successes!
16mm or 20mm tube?
The diameter of the tubing directly influences the weight of your hoop. The heavier it is, the greater its inertia (it rotates slowly around your waist). That's why very lightweight hoops from the supermarket are a nightmare for beginners!
Lightweight and Elastic
They are very thin, responsive, and agile. They are primarily used for technical hoop dance and hand manipulations ( off-body , isolations, throws). Perfect for intermediate and advanced hoopers.
Heavy and Stable
Larger in size, they are ideal for beginners and for "On-body" practice (spinning the hoop on the body). Momentum is easy to maintain.
Note: We do not sell tubes larger than 20mm (reserved for heavy fitness).
HDPE, Polypropylene or Play Alloy?
It's a heated debate among purists! Here's an objective summary to help you decide.
🛡️ HDPE
(High-Density Polyethylene). This is the most robust! It's flexible and will deform instead of breaking. It withstands extreme cold very well. Note: in direct summer sunlight or near a radiator, it becomes a little "soft".
⚡ Polypropylene
(Polypropylene). Harder and lighter. It is extremely responsive (snappy) and does not deform. Caution: its rigidity makes it brittle upon violent impacts, and it is very sensitive to extreme cold (risk of breakage).
⭐ The "Play" Alloy
For its 19/20mm Perfect Hoops , the Italian brand Play has created a hybrid alloy. It combines the indestructible strength of HDPE with the pleasant rigidity of Polypro . A perfect compromise acclaimed by both professionals and amateurs.
The crucial role of Grip (Tape)
A bare plastic hoop tends to slip on clothing. To make it go up, down along the body, or to "catch" it precisely (the famous breaks ), it needs grip! That's where adhesive tape comes in.
Inner line (Fine grip - 6mm)
Ideal for maintaining the uniform look of your hoop. Simply apply a thin line of 6mm Pro Gaff tape to the inside of the tube only. Invisible from the outside, but provides excellent grip on the body!
Spiral (Wide grip - 24mm)
The spiral tube is wrapped with 24mm Pro Gaff tape (fluorescent or not). This provides a mesmerizing visual impact, total grip, and adds a little weight to the hoop (which helps beginners enormously!).
Perfect Hoop Light
19mm model (Play alloy). Thin, lightweight, and highly elastic. The perfect choice for manipulation and advanced hoop dance.
View this modelHoop Flex (Juggle Dream)
Economical 16mm model. Slim, very dynamic and "punchy", they are already decorated with holographic tape.
View this modelPerfect Hoop 20mm (Bare)
Play 20mm hybrid alloy. Robust and stable, perfect for beginners. Sold bare (without decoration or grip) for purists. Buy your own tape separately for decoration/gripping.
View this modelPerfect Hoop 20mm (Grip)
The same 20mm beginner hoop, but ready to use: it already incorporates a decoration that serves as a grip.
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