Spin yourself right round! Hoopsters herald a fitness comeback

Marawa the Amazing, who is a professional hoopster, is one of the many women who have embraced the way of the hoop in search of fitness and fun.

The hula hoop makes a comeback as the latest cardio workout fad, burning up to 600 calories an hour.

Originating in ancient Greece, whose citizens would fashion hoops from grapevines and use them to exercise the hips, the hoop has gone through many incarnations in the past as a circus prop, 1950s fad and children’s toy. And now, a new generation of hoop activists is putting another spin on hooping, advocating the fun – albeit tricky for some – activity as a serious fitness workout.