I found one!!!! I am buying this!:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Weighted-Hula-ex...QQcmdZViewItem


I wish 3FC had a Sports equipment online store, how cool would that be?

You can buy the Curves hoops. I think they were $40 when I checked on them. They order them from the catalogue where they get their shirts and other merchandise.

I couldn't do the Curves hoop the first couple of times either. I just kept trying. Still couldn't do the cheap hoop until I'd been doing the Curves one for a couple weeks. I'd do the Curves hoop 5 to 10 minutes a day when I was in there, at least 3 times a week.

Don't know nuttin bout no belly dancing. I know when I do it, it seems as if my hip is jutting out to the right mostly and I'm kinda whipping it back and forth, with just a slight tilt to the front as I whip across. If that makes any sense.

as a money saving alternativ you can learn how to build your own weighted hoop relatively cheaply here: http://www.jasonunbound.com/hoops.html

Wow I can't believe this! I had never heard of these things until this thread... but today at a yard sale there sat one! BRAND NEW with the cellophane still wrapped around it. It was $10!!! It looks a lot like the one Diva is getting off eBay except mine does not come apart... LOL I went and double checked after I saw the picture of yours! Now I just have to learn to do it LOL.

It takes a bit to get it started, and the first few times it was difficult to keep it up. Keep trying, though, because it gets easier. I can't attest to weight loss contributions, but the first few times I did it my waist was a little sore. I can't do it anywhere but my waist yet, and I can't walk while I'm doing it either. It's really fun!!

Thanks! LOL my apartment is so small and not sure there is room on my deck... I may have to take it out in the yard to try it and give everyone a good laugh! I am expecting it to take time to learn.

Diva Exactly! Especially since as I am looking around more I am either going to have to go out in the yard or move around all my exercise equipment. My living room is starting to look like a gym! I think I will give it a try this afternoon!

The neighbors may get some entertainment seeing this 60 year old fat chick out in the yard with a weighted hula hoop. But I have learned not to worry about stuff like that and just laugh along with people! Hey at least I am TRYING!

I am anxious for you to get yours and see how you do with it! That being able to take it apart would be a neat feature, to take on vacations and stuff!\

I wish I could be there to see ya try! And GF, you totally don't look 60 to me at all. If that's your pic <-------over there, you look my age (40).

Anywho, I found another site that sells them for a bit more than the one on ebay, but they also have some beginner tips. Check it out.
http://www.sports-hoop.com/

Well I cleared out a spot and tried it. I can do three revolutions before it falls LOL. But I think the main reason I can't do more is because it HURTS! I didn't expect that. However, I think once I "toughen up" a bit it will be a great exercise! But yes it would have been a site to behold. Thanks for the link! I will check it out. I had no idea how much they cost when I saw mine but figured $10 HAD to be a good deal. The brand tag was gone from mine and I haven't seen one like it online.

Oh and thanks for the compliment... yep that's a recent picture.

Ahhhh THIS looks like mine. But LOL was I supposed to leave that cellophane stuff on it? I tore it off. I hope I didn't ruin it!

http://www.sports-hoop.com/main_instruction.html

I probably just made it harder to use since it won't be as slick. JUST what I needed! And I agree -- I think it will help once we learn to do it.

So I'm not the only one with a "mini gym" instead of a living room! I have a Gazelle, the collapsible weight bench that I also bought yesterday at the yard sales for $3... and my bike. On my deck is an exercise bike. Not to mention now the hula hoop, weight balls, weight bands and pool exercise equipment.

Hey I just tried it again and I can repeatedly do FIVE revs. LOL such progress! I think I could do better outside when I didn't have to be concerned about where it hits or it hitting the floor since I am in a third floor apartment... although I don't worry TOO much about that at the moment since my downstairs neighbor has mega complaints against her for her barking dog and I think will probably be evicted soon. So not overly concerned if she has to hear my hula hoop hitting the floor now and then LOL

I do mine in my garage or on my driveway, which is on a heavy-traffic street (both pedestrians and cars). I figured the same - it isn't often that people get to see an overweight woman hooping around her driveway! At the very least I hope it makes them smile, because it would make me smile to see the same.