In 1958, the plastic hula hoop made its debut and started the biggest fitness fad the world had ever seen. In the USA 25 million sold in just four months making American toy manufacturers Richard P. Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin very rich indeed!
After falling out of favour for several decades, the hula hoop is back with a bang for its 50th birthday.
Fitness fans are swinging their hips at hulaerobics and hula dance classes to tone waist and tummy, burn calories, firm the thighs, improve posture and have fun.
Pop star Beyonce is reported to be a huge fan and Fylde girls are not trailing behind.
Fitness instructor Emma Colsey-Nicholls, 25, of South Shore, says that hula hoop classes are proving a huge success.
She started teaching the classes to children, but after trying them with her adult groups found they were popular with all ages.
Emma, who teaches a whole range of fitness classes – including cheerleading, pole-dancing, Body Combat and Body Pump and aqua aerobics – said the hula is a big hit at all the local health clubs and gyms.
She said: "I got the idea after doing the kids' fitness classes. I tried it with my adult groups, and they just loved it. It has proved to be popular with all age groups. I teach it to my class at Playfootball, which has a mixture of ages, and also to my Young at Heart class at Bannatyne's in Blackpool and they all really enjoy it."
Emma has also been teaching the hula class at local schools, including Cardinal Allen School, in Fleetwood.
She said: "I think it's proved so popular because it's good exercise and it's good fun. I think it takes older people back to when they were children.
"Your basic aerobic classes just don't really cut it anymore. People are always looking for something different, for new ideas for fitness classes.
"The great thing about the hula is that anyone can do it. You can even buy yourself a hoop and practice at home on your own, in the garden or wherever.
"You don't need special equipment, just the hula. It can be a good party piece to get out and show off, at things like parties and barbecues.
"You can do all sorts of things with it in the class. At first, it's about getting used to it, but once people have got the basic moves, you can start putting it to music, adding dance moves and a performance element.
"Adding the music and so on really enhances it and keeps people interested."
And hula hooping is apparently not as hard as it looks.
Emma said: "With these types of hoops, they are weighted, which makes them easier to keep them going. One you get the momentum going, you could literally keep the hoop up for the whole hour class.
"It's definitely all in the hips. Once you get the rhythm, you enjoy it. You have to be able to laugh at yourself though, because it isn't that easy when you first start."
The physical benefits of hula hooping are great.
Emma said: "It definitely increases your heart rate, so gives you a cardio workout and also means you burn calories. It really helps to tone up your mid-section and waist.
"One lady from one of my classes had tried other things, but found this was the only class that had made her lose inches from her waist."
Emma, married to Gavin, has also been finding other more unusual classes such as cheerleading and pole-dancing have been growing in popularity.
"I have been doing cheerleading classes with Year Seven pupils at Lytham St Annes High School and they absolutely love it.
"Everyone would have liked to have been a cheerleader when they were at school. It's good fun again, gives you a cardio workout – and really helps to raise the heart rate, because the arms are up above the head for a lot of the time. It's surprising how much your arms and shoulder work just from the pom-poms and your own body weight. "It helps improve your balance and co-ordination and helps improve self-confidence because you get to release your inner cheerleader.
"Pole-dancing is great for upper body strength. At the moment, I am in the process of converting my garage at home so I will be able to teach it there.
"Basically, the fitness industry is always evolving and you have to think of new and different ways for people to exercise that they will enjoy."