Choosing your hoop size and diameter can be quite daunting as there are so many options! Here's a guide to help you get started on finding the right hoop size for you :)
Super simple hoop size recommendations:
For an adult beginner dance hoop - we recommend 3/4": measure from the floor to your belly button - that is your hoop diameter :) If you have a small waist, you can go 2” smaller; large waist: 2” larger.
Still not sure? You pretty much can’t go wrong with a 90cm/36” dance hoop, or even larger if you really want to take it slow.
For an intermediate or “trick" hoop - choose 5/8": 81cm/32” is a safe bet.
For off-body manipulation and juggling of 2+ hoops - choose 5/8": go with 69cm/27"
Looking for a more detailed and specific recommendation?
Great let's geek out a little ;)
There are many resources on the internet on choosing hoops sizes, from personal blogs, to instructors, to the biggest hoop companies trying to help you buy a hoop. They are all different, complicated, and usually a bit vague ... for good reason: it's a complex artform with many variables and every body, movement style and personal preference are different. While there are an infinite variety of possible hoops and some tiny difference might make one slightly more optimal than another for a specific person or scenario, we can narrow your choice down to one of a few popular sizes and any one of them will be a fantastic hoop that you can find your flow with.
If you’re looking for your first hoop, don’t sweat it. It probably won’t be your last :) Most experienced hoopers like to have a few different sized hoops for different purposes, commonly known as your hoop “quiver”, a term surfers use to refer to their collection of boards, even though there is no physical “quiver” to hold them. The term quiver is also used in other sports and flow arts, and some flow-wanderers literally use an archery quiver for their wands :)
If you’re an intermediate or advanced hooper, you've probably had a chance to try different size hoops. There is no better way to find the right hoop for you than to try them out.
If you’re looking to size-down from an existing hoop you like, a 5cm/2” smaller diameter is a good next step.
If there are any hoopers in your community, ask to try their hoops and for advice on sizing - there’s plenty to talk about!
If in doubt, go a little larger - it's easier to use, and it's possible to shrink a hoop, but not enlarge it.
If you’re buying a hoop for someone else, ask them first. If you want to surprise them, you can measure their current hoop, but make sure they weren’t already wanting a different size. Maybe get a mutual friend to ask questions, or consider a gift card.
If you’re looking to find your first hoop, here's helpful info:
First, there are 3 primary categories of hooping, which typically use different sizes of hoops: hoop dance, technical hooping, and hoop tech/juggling.
There are also 2 common diameters ("thickness") of hoop tubing: 5/8” (16mm) and 3/4” (19mm). The main deciding factor is how heavy it is. Heavier hoops move slower, so we recommend the larger 3/4” tubing for beginners and hoop dance, though they are also great for advanced hoopers, who prefer a slower style, or who are focusing on pushing their multi-hoop limits.
Many people base hoop sizing on the size of the person, but even more important is the way you use it. These are rough recommendations and if you are much smaller or larger than average, you might want to get a size up or down, but any five random hoopers with the same size body and hooping style probably all have different size hoops and are all happy with them, so don’t sweat it too much!
Hoop dance: more hooping/dancing than technical • beginner: 36” x 3/4”
• intermediate 32” x 3/4”
• advanced, or just like it light and fast: 32” x 5/8”
Technical hooping: on and off-body hoop dance with a focus on tricks and technique, often with multiple hoops:
• beginner: 32” x 3/4"
• intermediate: 32” x 5/8”
• advanced: 27” x 5/8"
Hoop tech/juggling: mostly off-body manipulation with hands, typically 2 or more hoops. For this style of hoop manipulation, the size has more to do with how you use it, and the length of your arms than your skill level:
• on/off body, balancing, large movements: 27” x 5/8"
• off-body only, isolations and shapes: 24” x 5/8"
You can find flowtoys day hoops here:
