People twirled them around their waist, arms, legs and neck for fun. When the first big fad started 25 million plastic hoops were sold in less than four months and within two years sales reached 100 million. A few years ago an Australian company came up with a larger portable design that is becoming popular. But no one developed a fitness program for the weighted Fithoop until Shellharbour’s Hayley Middleton saw their potential and started designing classes.

“I see the hoops being a fun, creative way to exercise”.

Mrs Middleton and Samantha Murray run a class at Be Fit Health and Fitness at 6pm every Wednesday. After she designed an exercises program Fithoop contacted her saying she was the first person doing it. She flew to Queensland on Saturday to buy the rights. Now she can also sell Fithoops. Along with running classes in person she has a video online and is introducing a course for instructors at other gyms.

Be Fit was started by Mrs Middleton and her husband Michael Middleton. She teaches pilates and yoga and her sister teaches Zumba classes.

They both love the new material being used to make the Fithoop and the fact you can pull them apart and pack them in a bag.

Mrs Middleton said she could see from the number of people buying the new hoops that a new fad was emerging and she wanted to lead the way.

“I wanted something fun..and I ordered these weighted hula hoops. They are not just normal hoops...they give you a great workout. They say within 10 minutes of hooping you can burn up to 100 calories.”