Bay of Plenty fitness freak Alison King is wanting to bring a new fitness craze to Tauranga called Powerhooping.

It's not hoopla but instead a very real exercise that can not only help you to trim your waist but have fun at the same time.

Alison King having fun in one of her Powerhooping classes. Photo: Supplied.

Powerhooping is a fitness craze sweeping the nation and Alison says it could come to Tauranga soon.

The former Coromandel resident is the first Powerhooping instructor outside of the Auckland region and runs three classes a week in Rotorua.

She is looking at starting a Tauranga class to give people in the Western Bay a taste of what Powerhooping can do for you.

Powerhooping is a fitness class developed in Norway in 2007 and now has more than 750 instructors across Europe.

Alison happened upon it by chance, meeting Powerhoop NZ master instructor Amy McCauley at a networking night.

"I gave it a go and the hoop fell straight to the ground, but I couldn't let it defeat me," She says.

"Amy made it look so easy and she always had a smile on her face. I gave it another whirl and sure enough, I kept it going for longer. I bought my own hoop and just by practicing for a few minutes every day I got better at it and knew others could benefit."

Alison hasn't always been a fitness instructor, at the birth of her son, now 3, she weighed more than 100kg.

"While pregnant I gained 30kg (and was already 10kg overweight). By the time Axel was a year old I was 40kg lighter through healthy eating and exercise.

"I know what it's like to feel uncomfortable with weight and to have no confidence, which is partly why I wanted to get into fitness. I'm studying for my fitness instruction certificate, I am a running coach with my own online coaching business and now I have Powerhooping.

"I feel so much more alive, I have lots more energy to give and I'm having fun."

She says there are a lot of health benefits to Powerhooping and a university study has found hooping for just 10 minutes a day can achieve a slimmer waist, stronger back and improved co-ordination.

She said she wants to bring Powerhooping to Tauranga until more fitness instructors get trained up but she needs to know numbers beforehand.

If you are interested in Powerhooping email alison at info@runforyourlifecoaching.co.nz or phone 021 034 6021.

Alison also has Powerhoops for sale for $155. They come with a DVD, extra weights and a five minute lesson.

She currently runs classes in Rotorua on Monday, 6.30pm, ATC Hall, Geddes Rd and Wednesday, 7.30pm, Otonga School Hall Thursday, 6am, Otonga School Hall.

Classes are $12 (include hoop hire) or 10 for $100 If they bring their own Powerhoop it's $10 or 10 for $90.

Spaces must be booked at www.bookwhen.com/powerhooprotorua due to limited hoops and space.