If you've ever used a hula hoop, you know how much your hips need to move in order for the hoop to stay around your waist. Strong core muscles and hip mobility are required to keep the hula hoop moving. However, not too much movement is needed because anything more than that and you won't be able to get the hoop back around your body. Because of these requirements, people who want to use a hula hoop as a workout tool should consider their strength and flexibility before doing so. Hooping isn't recommended for anyone with health issues such as arthritis or heart problems. If you have any concerns about your own health, you shouldn't start hooping until they're resolved. Healthy adults who do moderate exercise other than hooping every week should be able to hoop for an hour or more without excessive pain or difficulty moving their hips. Persons who exercise strenuously on a regular basis may require periodic breaks from hooping to allow time for muscles to relax. People who want to learn how to hoop but don't have enough flexibility to wrap themselves in a hoop immediately should start with a small hoop and work their way up over time. It's not recommended to begin hooping with a large hoop because it will be difficult to move your hips enough to make the hoop go around yourself.