TO some it may just be a piece of plastic, but the hula hoop has been shooting its benefits from the hip for centuries.

And a hula dance is spinning from strength to strength and welcoming new faces in Gloucestershire thanks to Johanna Anderson.

By day, Johanna advises students and staff at the University of Gloucestershire on everything from how to use an online database to how to order a book.

But every evening the learning information advisor is practising her hula moves for her weekly class.

Garnering enthusiasts ranging from teenagers to octogenarians is no mean feat, but Johanna believes the appeal of hula hooping is universal, even in one of the world's poorest countries.

"I was already interested in it," said Johanna, from Cheltenham, "but when I saw how much children and adults alike enjoyed the hoops our group had brought along to Malawi, I decided to have a go myself when I got home."

Johanna visited the African country last year while researching her master's degree, and her dissertation exploring how donated resources such as books are utilised in the developing world.

"After returning home I thought I'd give it a go myself, but I didn't have room in my flat," she says. "When friends mentioned how they'd like to give it a try I hired a space at the university's Hardwick Sports Hall and we started learning the moves using a DVD."

A year later and the group has swapped virtual instruction for real-life expert – Emma Kerr, who runs Hooping Mad in Bristol.

"Having Emma on board has just been brilliant," says Johanna. "She's really galvanised our enthusiasm and takes our skills to the next level. Emma comes once a month for a 90-minute session and teaches us something new every time.

"For the next three weeks we spend Thursdays learning what she's taught us and trying out our own freestyle routines.

"It's all about group learning in a very supportive environment which means you don't feel silly if you don't get it right the first time."

Hooping Mad runs a range of hula classes in Bristol, Cheltenham and Cardiff including MothersLove classes for mums, and Emma is in no doubt about the benefits.

"I first picked up a hula hoop at a festival in 2007 determined it wouldn't work because I'd never managed to do it before, even as a child," she laughs. "I was given a giant adult-sized hoop and to my surprise and immense satisfaction I was spinning it round my waist in no time.

"I've been obsessed ever since and what started as a hobby became my full-time job in March this year.

"It's not all about waist hooping which is great for core muscle strength, there are hundreds of tricks to learn including hooping at the knees, chest and feet, hand hooping, jumps and throws.

"Hooping combines all the health benefits of an aerobics class, burning up to 600 calories an hour, and the calming effects of a yoga class and it's loads of fun.

"I've never enjoyed any sport and I hate going to the gym but hooping doesn't feel like exercise and I've never been healthier or happier than I am now, all down to a plastic kids' toy."

Johannna added: "It's great for the body and I think the mind too, I think it's almost impossible to be sad with a hula hoop."

The Cheltenham group meets at 5.30pm at Hardwick Sports Hall, St Paul's Road, Cheltenham, every Thursday. Sessions are £2. Classes are open to all.

■ For more information email janderson@glos.ac.uk or telephone 01242 715437.

■ To find out more about Hooping Mad, visit www.hoopingmad.co.uk