Now the humble hula hoop has been given a new lease of life as a fitness sensation that's got gym-goers in a spin.

And visitors to the Glasgow Club in Scotstoun can try out the Powerhoop at a free, taster session tomorrow.

Scotstoun Leisure Centre is rolling out a series of classes in the ring tone craze, which aims to trim the waist, strengthen core and abdominal muscles, and burn up to 360 calories an hour.

Sharon Haggerty, Powerhoop manager for Scotland, said: "For those people who couldn't hoop with a plastic one as a youngster, and I was one of them, using the Powerhoop has that sense of achievement.

"It takes people back in time. You can't go to a class and not see people smiling.

"Even when they're hooping and it's dropping, it's still great fun."

We couldn't resist going along to the leisure centre ahead of Saturday's launch for a trial of this latest fitness craze.

The hollow plastic toy made famous by American manufacturer Wham-O in the Fifties has had a makeover – the Powerhoop is weighted, has foam padding and a wider diameter.

The collapsible hoop comes in three different weights – I try the standard 4lb hoop, but there's also a 5lb 'pro' hoop for those with strong abdomens and a basic hoop for those who bruise easily or weigh less than 9st 6lb.

Class leader and freelance fitness instructor Lorraine Inglis, 27, said: "It's going to change shapes. For women anyway, it's going to pull us right in at the waist.

"I've been instructing for four weeks and I think there's an inch-and-a-half off my waist.

It's really working deep into your core without having to sit on the floor and do lots and lots of sit-ups."

After checking the multi-coloured sections are locked in place, the taster class begins with a gentle warm-up.

Then comes the fun part.

We hold the hoop horizontal – pressed against the smalls of our backs and elbows resting squarely – and swing the hoop and our bodies from side to side.

Once familiar with the motion, there's one big swing and the circling starts.

It normally takes dozens of attempts for me to master the knack of a regular hoola hoop, but I'm hooping with the best of them on my second attempt.

I bend my knees when I feel it beginning to slip down, and it quickly brings the Powerhoop back up to my waist and lower ribcage.

The most important part is to keep changing direction to work muscles on both sides of your body equally.

"Who wants to look like a banana?" cries Lorraine over the stereo's loud music.

The intensity is increased by building up time periods of hooping, and then working your arms.

With a pair of Powergloves strapped to my hands for extra resistance, the co-ordination involved in thinking about my feet placement, rocking my hips and changing my arm movements becomes too much and the hoop repeatedly falls to the floor.

The class then goes onto work the arms by repetitive lifting of the hoop, which begins to feel like it's made of lead after a few reps.

Then it's onto the floor for leg and abdomen work before a cool-down.

As someone who can't do high-impact exercises, I'm amazed that the class manages to be strenuous yet fun.

And the two oval bruises that appeared on my sides a few hours later haven't put me off – I'd just opt for the lighter hoop next time.

"It's not only muscles, it's a cardio work-out without having to jump about or run about," adds Lorraine.

Class participant June Linstead, 52, from Anniesland, usually attends classes such as Body Jam and Zumba.

She said: "It's a wee bit sore on your hips because you're not used to it.

"I think it's good for toning. I'll probably end up coming to the classes."

The sole male at our trial, Jim Reynolds, 49, wasn't quite so taken with the hoop.

The social care worker from Whiteinch laughed: "It's different. I discovered I had very little talent for it! It was just too hard."

l Six-week Powerhoop classes at Glasgow Club Scotstoun start on September 17 at 1.15pm and September 18 at 2.15pm. Course costs £68.20 (£65.20 for Glasgow Club members) and includes a Powerhoop to take home.

To reserve a place on the free hour-long introduction this Saturday from 1.15pm, call Karen McPhillie on 0141 276 1621.

There are also Powerhoop classes at Curves in Shawlands, Ladies Workout Express in Thornlie-bank, Energie Fitness in East Kilbride, Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley, Greens in Giffnock, New Lanark Mill Hotel in Lanark and Craig-helen Club, Helensburgh.