Fleetwood resident Molly Bilinski has been hooping into shape for the past three years. Now she’s sharing her passion with the community as a Hoopnotica Certified Instructor.
‘Hooping has really changed my life in an incredibly positive way and I love introducing hooping to people who have never considered trying it for themselves,’ said Bilinski, 20, a native of Schuylkill Haven. ‘I want everyone to come out and try something different.’
She enjoys watching people who say they cannot hoop find that they not only can but really have fun hooping. Within minutes she says they are smiling and laughing while the hoop spins around their waist.
‘If the community can come out and just try something new I think it can be really beneficial to bring everybody together in a healthy way.’
The Kutztown University English major and KU Writing Center Tutor said ‘Hoopnotica is the newest hula-hooping fitness company that is taking the world by storm.’
Although a California-based company, Bilinski said Hoopnotica classescan be found right here in Kutztown. She recently beganhostingthe HoopnoticaDance Class at the Independent Space and a HoopnoticaFit Class at the Tri Valley YMCA. No hooping experience necessary to attend either class.
‘The difference between the two classes are that HoopnoticaDance is more focused on self-expression and learning different hoop dance techniques whereas HoopnoticaFit is more for those who want to work up a mean sweat by combining hooping on the body and off the body with traditional exercise,’ she said.
For example, Bilinski will use the hoop as a ballet barre to help maintain balance while doing squats and lunges, or hooping around the waist while doing squats and lunges.
‘It’s a good time but it’s intense,’ she said.
Her hooping began three years ago after finding a water hoop at her sister’s consignment shop. She had her doubts that she could hoop but quickly discovered she not only could hoop but she loved it.
Bilinski lost about 20 pounds during her first summer hooping.
The fitness and dance classes make it feel not like a workout while burning about 400 to 600 calories in an hour hooping.
Now she hoops about an hour a day.
‘It’s so much fun,’ she said. ‘You never frown when you’re working out with a hoop.’
Hooping has helped with her posture and boosted her confidence.
‘You’re sitting up straight and feeling good about yourself,’ Bilinski said. ‘It’s an awesome confidence builder. I feel okay bringing my hoop out anywhere.’
And the hooping draws attention, people want to know what she’s doing. Bilinski has made new friends as a result. She said there is a huge hooping community on campus and hopes to start a club in the future.
Her favorite part is doing tricks, hooping on her elbows and ankles for example.
Bilinski is eager to share hooping with the community.
HoopnoticaFit Classes are held a the Tri-Valley YMCA in Fleetwood on Tuesdays, 6:45-7:45p.m., and Saturdays 8:30-9:30a.m. Free to members. YMCA non-members can purchase a day pass to attend.
HoopnoticaDance Classes are held at The Independent Space in Kutztown on Sundays, 2-3p.m. There is a minimal cost to attend. Bring a friend to split the fee.
She also recently began teaching in Pottstown at Outshine Dance and Fitness, but there is no regular schedule to far.
If you don’t have your own Hoopnautica Hoop, one will be provided. For more information, contact Bilinski at mbili399@live.kutztown.edu.
