First, a friend showed up carrying a glittering, blue and silver hoop. Then, we spotted a similar hoop in another friend's backyard. Turns out "hooping" is a hot trend that will give you a serious workout (400-600 calories burned per hour). We signed up for the new Hollywood Hoopnotica class with hoop dancer Jamie Bechtold:

We learned how to win Hula-Hooping contests. Ever wonder how some girls can keep a hoop spinning for hours? Once we got our super-sparkly hoops going, Jamie showed us how to stand and rock our hips so the hoop won't fall.

We got moves. Standing in place is nothing: Half an hour into the lesson, we were walking and even twirling in circles. (Can't wait to wow our 'tween cousins with that one.)

We took it higher. The "halo" is a move where we spin the hoop on one hand, high above our heads--and seriously work our arms.

We went round and round, up and down. Jamie showed how to slip in and out of the hoop as it spins, and spin it around shoulders and knees. Check out these moves (don't miss the six-hoop arabesque).

The next day, our waists were sore, but we were jonesing to do it again.

Guess you could say we're in the loop.

Find a local class here.