There is no exact science connected to hula hooping and the number of calories burned. Beginning hoopers may burn more calories when they are learning to hoop than when they are experienced hoopers. People who hoop faster with heavier hoops may vary the number of calories burned within the same amount of hooping time.
As in most exercise, the number of calories burned depends on the time you spend and the intensity you put into your workouts. With hooping, it also depends on the size of the hoop, the weight of the hoop, the duration, etc.
The following articles have mentioned calories burned while hooping:
A Lifetime TV for women article mentions you can burn up to 600 calories in an hour of hooping. Read more about exercise and burning calories.
Health Magazine, July/August 2009 quotes Christabel Zamor, "Tone not only your belly, but your butt and thighs too--and torch 200 calories in just 20 minutes with this exhilarating hula hoop workout, from the book Hooping, A Revolutionary Fitness Program.
Glamour Magazine says that you can burn up to 100 calories in ten minutes of hooping.
AARP Bulletin Today, April 9, 2009, article "8 Surprising Ways to Burn 50 Calories," Hula-hooping was high on their list. Hooping is a "cardiovascular workout and will burn 50 calories, or 6.25 calories per minute."
The more effort (intensity) you put into your hoop workout, the more calories you will burn and endurance you will build. The number of calories you burn is directly connected to your heart rate. See charts below for more information about body mass, ideal weight and heart rate. Also, Fat versus Carb debate.
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, to assess your risk of obesity involves using three measures:
Body Mass Index (BMI)
your waist circumference, and
risk factors for diseases and conditions associated with obesity.
BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height and waist circumference, measuring abdominal fat. Combining these three measures yields your risk for developing obesity-associated diseases. Your BMI rate can over or under estimate if you are an athlete, or have a muscular build or are older and have lost muscle mass.
Waist Circumference: Place a measuring tape snugly around your waist. Over 40 inches for men and over 35 inches in women raises your risk.For more information visit the US Department of Health & Human Services website.
Heart Rate Visit here to find your target heart rate.
Read more about this chart listing fat calories expended by a 130-pound woman during cardio exercise: