The Infinity Hoop is a real product that uses a legitimate form of exercise, but the company behind it has serious customer service problems. The weighted hula hoop concept itself is backed by research showing measurable results for waist slimming and fat loss. Whether you should buy this specific brand over a cheaper alternative is a different question, and the answer depends on how much you value a quieter design versus saving money.
How the Infinity Hoop Works
The Infinity Hoop is a “smart” weighted hula hoop, meaning it doesn’t spin freely around your waist like a traditional hoop. Instead, it locks around your midsection with adjustable plastic links and has a weighted ball that glides along a track on the outside. You rotate your hips to keep the ball moving in a circle. The resistance comes from maintaining that continuous hip rotation against the momentum of the swinging weight.
The current model, the Infinity Hoop Plus, fits waists up to roughly 47 inches and can be expanded with extra links (available for about $6). It features a rail system designed to reduce the grinding noise that plagues cheaper alternatives. Older versions of the Infinity Hoop, sometimes found on resale sites, are noticeably louder and more prone to the weighted ball jamming on the track.
Does Weighted Hula Hooping Actually Work?
Yes, and the evidence is stronger than you might expect for a product popularized on TikTok. A randomized controlled study published in the journal Obesity Facts compared weighted hula hooping to walking in overweight adults. After six weeks, the hula hooping group lost an average of 3.1 cm from their waist circumference, compared to just 0.7 cm for walkers. More notably, the hooping group reduced their abdominal body fat percentage by 2.0%, while the walking group saw no change at all.
The exercise targets your core, hips, back, and abdominal muscles. It functions as both an aerobic workout and a mild resistance exercise, which is why it outperformed walking for waist reduction specifically. A 2018 study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise also found that weighted hula hooping can improve flexibility, stability, and strength in the trunk, legs, and arms.
So the underlying exercise is legitimate. The calorie burn and waist-trimming effects aren’t just marketing hype. The key point, though, is that these benefits come from the movement pattern itself, not from any proprietary technology in the Infinity Hoop. A generic weighted hoop produces the same physical effort.
The Company’s Reputation Is a Problem
This is where things get complicated. The Infinity Hoop company, based in Tampa, Florida, holds an F rating from the Better Business Bureau. That rating stems from the company’s failure to respond to 40 complaints filed against it, with 12 complaints left unresolved. For a product that costs significantly more than generic alternatives, poor customer service is a real risk if something goes wrong with your order.
The return policy adds friction. You have 30 days from delivery to get the item back to their PO Box, and you pay for return shipping yourself. If you don’t return it in the original packaging, your refund drops to 70%. Shipping costs, expedited processing fees, and insurance costs are all non-refundable. You also need to request a return before sending anything back, as unrequested returns won’t be accepted. And if you change your mind after placing an order, cancellations are only possible within the first 24 hours.
Infinity Hoop vs. Generic Alternatives
The main advantage of the Infinity Hoop Plus over cheaper options is noise. Its rail system produces moderate sound levels, while generic hoops are loud, with significant plastic-on-plastic clacking. Budget knockoffs are the worst offenders, with high friction that causes frequent jamming and very loud operation. If you live in an apartment or plan to hoop while watching TV, the noise difference matters.
The exercise itself, however, is identical. As one fitness review site put it plainly: a generic alternative “clicks and clacks more loudly, but the sweat equity remains the same.” You’ll burn the same calories, work the same muscles, and get the same waist reduction regardless of whether your hoop cost $20 or $80. If you just want to try this style of exercise without committing to a big purchase, a well-reviewed generic from Amazon is a reasonable starting point.
Safety Considerations
Weighted hula hooping is safe for most people, but there are real risks worth knowing about. The repetitive hip rotation can aggravate existing back pain, and prolonged sessions can cause bruising along the ribs, back, and hips from the repeated pressure of the hoop against your body. A hoop that’s too heavy can force your body into awkward angles, leading to muscle strains.
If you have any history of back, hip, or spine problems, this type of exercise may not be a good fit. Starting with shorter sessions (10 to 15 minutes) and gradually increasing is the standard advice for avoiding overuse injuries. The bruising tends to be most common in the first week or two as your body adjusts to the contact.
The Bottom Line on Legitimacy
The Infinity Hoop is a real product that delivers a real workout. Weighted hula hooping genuinely reduces waist circumference and abdominal fat more effectively than walking, and the Infinity Hoop Plus is a functional, quieter-than-average version of this tool. The exercise science checks out.
The company, however, does not inspire confidence. An F rating from the BBB and dozens of unanswered complaints suggest that if you need customer support, you may not get it. If you’re set on the Infinity Hoop brand specifically, buy through a retailer with its own return policy rather than the company’s website. If you’re open to alternatives, a well-reviewed generic hoop will give you the same physical results for less money and less risk.