You spin me right round baby

Spinning, whirling, twirling, grooving.

Babes were working their curves last weekend at the Hig Hoops hula-hooping class in N1.

I went with another beginner buddy to meet instructor and Hoola girl extraordinaire Charlene for her regular Saturday session at the Old Queen’s Head on Essex Rd.

We kicked things off with a gentle warm-up followed by a little bit of stretching using the hoops.

Then it was time to wind.

Except, somewhat counter-intuitively, winding is not how hoola actually works. It’s a forward back rhythm that’s surprisingly easy to get going although it takes practise to keep your hoop up.

It’s probably years since you first learned how to use a hoop, but this ain’t your playground hula.

According to Charlene, who dubbed it ‘hoola’, it’s more of a dance where, once you get into the zone, you can incorporate any kind of moves.

The seasoned Hoola students were learning to spin hoops on their arms and shoulders. But even us newbies picked up tricks, like a sort of hoola ‘booty bounce’ (watch out, Beyonce!).

The best part about Hoola class is not only do you burn energy (up to 800 calories an hour!) but it tones up those areas that specifically affect us mamas – namely your belly, thighs, hips and butt.

With funky music pumping throughout, hoola class was fresh, sexy and definitely the most fun I’ve had in ages. A few days later, I can still feel the ache – but it’s the good kind that makes you want to go back for more.

**Big News**
Babes about Town is teaming up with Charlene to offer Hoola Hooping classes tailored to a) new mums and b) mums and their little ones.

Email us at editor@babesabouttown.com if you’d like to register your interest.