Press information and specialist contact for Hoopomania

This page brings together verifiable information about Hoopomania, Hula Hoop and the current state of scientific research. It is intended for journalists, specialist editorial teams, universities, authors and creators who wish to research or cite reliable information.

Who can use this page

The content is provided for journalistic or scientific context and is not a substitute for independent research. Media professionals and research institutions will find company information, specialist knowledge, primary sources, visual material and contacts relating to Hula Hoop, hoop selection and product development.

Company profile

Since 2007, Hoopomania has focused on the development, selection and practical assessment of different Hula Hoop concepts. One key area is the question of how material, diameter, construction, experience and training goals jointly influence the choice of a suitable hoop.

Alongside its own hoop ranges, Hoopomania has developed knowledge pages, a rule-based Hula Hoop buyer's guide and a critical, source-based overview of direct Hula Hoop research. The buyer's guide has not been scientifically validated as an overall system, is not a medical diagnostic instrument and is not a therapeutic application.

The Hoopomania brand has existed since 2010. Since 2020, the company has operated as Hoopomania GmbH, based in Kösching, Germany. Its managing director is Dmitri Scharkov.

Fact sheet

What sets Hoopomania apart

• no blanket hoop recommendation based solely on body weight or height;
• a clear distinction between practical experience, manufacturer information and scientific primary sources;
• in-house product development and manufacture of selected children's and dance hoops;
• external manufacture of massage and foam-padded hoops to Hoopomania specifications;
• an in-house test machine for Hoopomania massage and foam-padded hoops; the procedure has not been externally standardised;
• documented advisory logic and transparent explanations of what studies show—and what they do not.

Further information: About Hoopomania, Our development and Why Hoopomania Hula Hoops are different.

Company development

• 2007: Launch of the specialist Hula Hoop online shop.
• 2010: Creation of the Hoopomania brand.
• Since 2014: In-house manufacture of selected children's and dance hoops.
• 2015/2016: Development of an in-house hoop-wrapping machine.
• 2020: Hoopomania GmbH.
• 2020 to 2022: Development of an in-house test machine for Hoopomania massage and foam-padded hoops.
• Today: Combining product experience, knowledge resources and a digital buyer's guide.

Specialist topics for media and editorial teams

1. direct Hula Hoop studies and the limits of their conclusions;
2. hoop selection for beginners and common misconceptions;
3. the influence of weight, diameter, material, connection system, padding and construction;
4. differences between classic hoops, massage hoops, weighted hoops and Smart Hoops;
5. realistic context for training, calorie expenditure and weight loss;
6. getting started, discomfort, and the risks of injury and overuse;
7. product development, in-house manufacture and internal technical testing within the documented scope;
8. the development of a rule-based buyer's guide.

Hoopomania and Dmitri Scharkov do not present themselves as doctors, physiotherapists, sports scientists or independent scientific experts.

Studies and scientific context

Direct research on Hula Hoop remains limited. Individual studies report changes in certain body or training-related measures under specific training protocols. These findings cannot be used to make blanket claims about effects for every person, every form of training or every hoop.

Hoopomania does not publish its own scientific studies. We collect and assess available primary sources and document the following separately:

• study design;
• number of participants and the population studied;
• training protocol and type of hoop used;
• strength and nature of the results;
• methodological limitations and the permissible scope of conclusions.

Not every published study provides the same strength of evidence. Hoopomania therefore documents the limitations of each study alongside its results.

Here, a primary source means the original scientific publication of a study—not a later summary, product advertisement or personal account. Wherever possible, we link directly to primary sources so that claims can be checked independently.

The studies listed do not automatically examine Hoopomania products or the buyer's guide. For medical or therapeutic questions, appropriately qualified independent professionals are the correct point of contact.

Selection advice instead of a blanket weight chart

Simple weight charts suggest a level of certainty that does not exist when choosing a hoop. Experience, training goals, sensitivity to pain, an existing hoop, the desired intensity and hoop construction can lead to different requirements.

The digital Hula Hoop buyer's guide presents this advisory logic in a transparent way. It is not a medical diagnostic instrument and does not replace individual health advice. Depending on the information provided, the guidance may also conclude that an existing hoop can continue to be used and that no new purchase is necessary.

Support for media and research

Research and studies

• a structured compilation of scientific primary sources;
• information on study design, sample and limitations of the conclusions;
• anonymised, methodologically clearly labelled buyer's-guide analyses, if these become available and are approved in the future.

Advice and technical information

• background conversations about hoop selection, product development and advisory practice;
• technical information on diameter, mass, material, connection systems and padding;
• context for Hoopomania's internal testing procedures within their documented scope.

Products, images and interviews

• comparison hoops for independent editorial or scientific testing by individual agreement;
• images of the company, product development, in-house manufacture and testing procedures;
• interviews with managing director Dmitri Scharkov.

Hoopomania does not influence the research question, conduct, analysis or publication of independent research or editorial tests. Providing products does not create an obligation to publish. The assessment and findings remain entirely with the respective media outlet, creator or research partner. Any product provided must be disclosed transparently in the publication.

Company quote for editorial use

“There is no single best Hula Hoop for everyone. A suitable hoop must match the individual, their training goal and the way they want the training to feel.”

Attribution: Hoopomania GmbH.

The quote may be used in editorial reporting about Hoopomania or Hula Hoops, provided that the attribution is included. Personal attribution to Dmitri Scharkov requires his express prior approval.

Press images and materials

The following may be provided on request and subject to availability:

• the Hoopomania logo in SVG and PNG format;
• approved portrait photographs of the founder and managing director;
• images of the company premises;
• images from product development and in-house manufacture;
• images of the wrapping equipment and internal testing technology;
• product-group images and cut-out product photographs;
• authentic advisory situations without visible customer data;
• a company fact sheet in PDF format;
• a link to the current overview of studies and sources.

For each file, the subject, copyright holder, permitted scope of use, required image credit and, where applicable, model release will be documented. Supplier labels, customer data and sensitive machine parameters must not be visible.

Press and specialist contact

Please use “Press enquiry” in the subject line and, where possible, state the media outlet, topic and deadline. For research projects, please also include the research question, institution and planned timeframe.

Postal address and authorised representative details: Legal notice.

Transparency

Hoopomania has a commercial interest in the sale of its own and other Hula Hoop products. This conflict of interest also applies to explanations of studies, technical information and test products.

All manufacturer information is identified as such and presented separately from scientific primary sources. Practical product experience is likewise distinguished from scientific evidence. Hoopomania does not guarantee training results, weight loss or medical effects.

Last updated: 10 August 2026. Company information is updated in a traceable manner when changes occur.