I went on a spa day yesterday and tried their hula hoop class while i was there, it was great fun and energetic, i had a bet with my friend about how many times it would hit the floor!!
I have decided to buy a weighted hoop (weighted are better suited for adult exercise use than a kiddies plastic one) and apparently they are good for working bum, tum & thigh zone in particular which is my problem zone, the hoops are about £15 on ebay + a few pounds for p&p
I'm hoping to get out in the garden 15-30mins a day with it, hopefully will see some results
i have never been good but then i was told i was doing it wrong, apparently the common belief is that you should move in a circular motion like the hoop (like on the wii fit) but you should either stand with legs slightly appart and quickly move hips side to side or place one foot infront of the other and move your hips foward and back quickly, i managed 2 mins without dropping the hoop so hopefully i can improve on that time lol!
i purchased a 40\" weighted hoola hoop. it was about £14 off ebay (from a seller called bestwina) then about £3 p&p, i got a travel one so it doubles over for easy transport
the prices vary based on size of hoop you get, whether you get particular colours (plain, multiple, holographic etc)