Every Monday, about 30 students, ranging in age from 10 to 50, learn hoop tricks like the Swim and Walking the Dog.

"One of my constant quotes in class is if you're giggling, you're doing it correctly," Mr. Pildes said. "It's not about how graceful you are, or what trick you can do. It's about finding the joy in your workout."

Hoopers are taking their passion outdoors, to concerts and giant group hoop sessions called "hoop jams" set to music. Devotees can be spotted in the subway with oversize hoop bags.

"Everyone is in their own hoop world at hoop jams," said Jenni Schwartz, 32, a graphic and Web designer in Greenwich Village.

In Los Angeles, workplaces are embracing hooping as a healthy alternative to smoke breaks or trips to the vending machine.

Dina Strada, the manager of employee events at DreamWorks Animation, encourages the staff to take hoop breaks twice a day for 15 minutes. About 10 to 15 people partake, she said.

"On really busy days, I can hoop and respond to e-mails at the same time," she said.

The New York Times