Why Does My Hula Hoop Keep Falling Down?

This post has been updated for 2022.

Today we answer the number one hula hoop question of all time:

Why does my hula hoop keep falling down?

It usually goes something like this: You see a video of a grown person hula hooping on Instagram and you go grab your kid’s 3 dollar hoop from Walmart and give it a try.  The hoop falls immediately and you chuckle to yourself, thinking you probably won’t be a hula hoop star anytime soon.

Then, next time you’re at Target, you spring for one of those ultra-clunky hoops in the exercise section of the store.

You rush home, eager to become the hoop goddess you know you were born to be.

So you give it a whirl, excited for your new journey to begin.  Right as you start to shake your hips, the hoop falls to the floor.  You try again, and then a few more times.

And each time it just keeps falling.

You’re honestly ready to hurl that hula hoop through the living room window, but you take a deep breath, summon one tiny ounce of reason somewhere deep down, and decide to calmly do a little research to see if you can figure out why your hula hoop keeps falling down.

Why Does My Hula Hoop Keep Falling Down?

We’re going to solve this problem for you right here, right now.

Reason #1 why your hoop keeps falling down: it’s too small.  Hula hoops available in big box stores or even “exercise hoops” on Amazon are too small for the vast majority of adults.

Part of knowing how to keep a hula hoop up is knowing what size hula hoop to get in the first place.  You need a hoop big enough to give you time to keep up with the rotations.

Your body can only move so fast and if the hoop is too small, the lack of space between your waist and the hoop makes it rotate too fast to keep up with.

Click here to see a video I made illustrating this concept.  The first hoop is a big 55″ beginner hoop! You can see how much easier it is to keep that one spinning versus the smaller ones.

Once you get the right size hoop, everything will click into place much sooner.  You’ll immediately feel the difference when you hoop with a larger hoop, and you will no longer feel violent urges to break things.

Now I’m not saying that a bigger hoop will just turn you into a magically successful hula hooper overnight.  I’m just saying that you need a big hoop to even attempt to learn how to hula hoop in the first place.

How to Keep a Hula Hoop Up

Once you get the right size hoop, there is still more you need to know to keep your hula hoop from falling down.  Here are a few simple guidelines that should help you tremendously.

Tip #1 for keeping your hula hoop up: stand up straight.  We tend to look down at the hoop which causes our body to pitch forward slightly-and even if it’s just barely, it will be enough to put the hoop on an angle and fall right down.

You absolutely have to be standing up straight so that the hoop stays level as it goes around your body.  Look forward, not down! 

Tip #2 to keep your hula hoop up: assess your grip situation.  By “grip” I mean, how well is the hoop gripping to your body?  Are you making it harder on yourself by using a slick hoop that has no grip tape on it?  Are you wearing silky clothing that the hoop just slides right down?

All of our beginner hoops come standard with a generous amount of grip tape already on them, because that’s how important it is.   If your hoop is just plain plastic and feels slick like every hoop I see in the stores, it is going to be a nightmare trying to get it to stay up on your body.

Tip #3 for keeping your hula hoop up: dress appropriately. If you are using grip tape but wearing slick-feeling clothing, it’s still going to be more difficult than if you are dressed properly.

Pictured: Jill Terry

I highly recommend close-fitting garments such as these cotton leggings from Amazon.  Or if you’re in the privacy of your own home, try hooping naked!  Your skin grips to the hoop naturally.  You’ll be amazed at how helpful this can be.

“Mama Ruby, I’ve tried everything you listed here and my hoop still keeps falling down!  What should I do?”

Well I am so proud of you for not giving up!  That attitude is going to ensure that you are definitely going to learn why your hula hoop keeps falling down and how to keep it up!

For comprehensive instructions on getting started hula hooping, as well as a path to follow to help keep you focused as you introduce this amazing new habit into your life, you need my Six Week Beginner Hula Hoop Challenge for All Bodies!

Don’t waste your money on hooping workout DVDs and exercise hoops manufactured by big corporations that truly do NOT care if you ever succeed.  These companies are just pumping out hoops and related product to make money without the slightest thought as to helping you have a successful and magical, life-changing journey.

The sad truth is they just want your money and don’t care if your hoops start collecting dust from the moment you bring them home.

Make Good Choices to Learn Hula Hooping

Taking classes from me or buying our hoops means you are part of our family.  WE CARE!!! You can reach out to us anytime for help and support.  Also, you are supported by an entire community in our Facebook group where you can share your joys and struggles and make new friends!

Well wishes on your hula hoop journey!  We can’t wait to grow with you!