As you are carrying the bags of groceries into your kitchen, you realize this seems more difficult than in prior years.
Maybe you sigh and recall that your visits to the gym have been limited and your body has felt much more weak and flabby the last couple of months in particular. Knowing that you should develop a workout routine again, you ponder the method of attack.
One friend has embraced weightlifting for muscle building and toning.
A few other friends have started attending local yoga classes. They not only look great but enjoy the instructors and calm approach to a healthy lifestyle. They have mentioned feeling strong and toned without lifting any weights.
Both are very beneficial for your health, mind, and body, but seem to have different results.
Is yoga or weightlifting better for you? Read on to learn more and make an informed decision.
Yoga and weightlifting are both effective and efficient exercise modalities and they are a great complement to each other — you do not have to choose one over the other.
Your choice may ultimately depend on your schedule and budget allowances.
Depending on your schedule, a 24-hour gym may be of great benefit if you are not able to attend scheduled yoga classes. On the other hand, maybe attending yoga classes throughout the week is a better fit for you.
While it’s great to vary your fitness routines, not everyone has the time to dedicate to weightlifting and yoga classes every week.
So what are the benefits of yoga and weightlifting and how do you choose?
Considerations for choosing yoga vs. weightlifting:
Which one is truly better — yoga or weightlifting?
Both have their pros and cons, and they can complement each other to help you achieve a stronger and healthier body.
Whether weightlifting or yoga is your favorite go-to exercise regime, you don’t have to choose one exclusively.
Consistent yoga practices enhance more than just your earthly vessel. It’s a holistic method that is more than just exercise — it is a mind-body-spirit approach.
Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. Yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and may assist in managing pain for chronic conditions.
Stressful and anxious thinking and emotions seem to be the norm for most people these days, not an exception. Incorporating yoga into your weekly routine may be an effective way to combat that stress and anxiety.
Studies reveal yoga as a strategy to not only improve physical health and mobility but may assist in improved psychological health, too.
Yoga is often associated with improved flexibility.
Many traditional yoga programs focus on flexibility, however, the concept of improving mobility is somewhat different.
Differences between flexibility and mobility:
Especially in the population of older Americans, sustaining good mobility and balance are key factors in preventing falls, injuries, and even joint or muscle contractures.
Yoga-based exercise has been proven to be an effective way to sustain and improve overall mobility and balance for not only the general population but especially for older adults.
It is obvious when you begin almost any exercise that your breathing patterns change due to the demands of your body requiring more oxygen with increased movement.
Since yoga incorporates mindful breathing with exercise and poses, your lung health may improve with consistent practice.
If you are someone dealing with a chronic lung condition, exercise can be especially challenging.
Breathing exercises such as ones incorporated into Tai Chi or yoga may help improve your overall lung capacity and health, but they may also help you cope with anxiousness and stress associated with lung diseases.
Attending yoga classes allows you to participate in a group setting which promotes socialization with others that have similar goals.
In a group setting, you may feel more motivated and possibly accountable to others to keep attending the class.
With a formal instructor, they are present to educate you on the correct form for poses and even make it more fun!
To start your yoga journey, sign up for an introductory yoga class online or at one of the many locations across the United States where Body & Brain training is available.
Strength training is a beneficial and effective overall fitness program.
Here are some of its main benefits.
Lean muscle mass naturally diminishes as we age. Also, as lean muscle mass decreases, your body fat percentage will increase if you become sedentary.
Gaining strength allows you to perform routine daily tasks much more easily, such as carrying groceries into the house or simply playing in the yard with your children.
Weightlifting can help preserve — and possibly increase — muscle mass depending on your exercise routine and goals.
As we age, our bones will decrease in density and mass. Although some people may be more prone to bone density loss due to genetics, studies report that strength and resistance training can help combat that loss.
In addition to helping to support bone health and building muscle, weightlifting also supports and boosts metabolism.
Weightlifting can help the body more effectively convert our nutritional intake into energy for our daily lives.
Yoga and weightlifting are both great exercise regimes, but together they are stellar.
When combining the two forms of exercise, some of the benefits you may experience include:
Physical exercise can positively influence the condition of your brain.
With a unique 5-step energy healing practice, Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi instructors aim to promote a deep mind-body connection to engage your brain’s natural healing power along with empowering you to achieve your goals.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi goes beyond traditional methods by offering a holistic approach that combines multiple Eastern disciplines.
Our unique Korean-style yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, mindfulness and meditation techniques are designed to harmonize body, mind, and spirit, making our practices accessible and adaptable to individuals of all ages and fitness levels.
Call your local Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi location or sign up online today to begin your journey!