Can I do yoga instead of weight training?

whatalazyidiot

When I started losing weight, I told myself exercise should be something I enjoy. I got a treadmill to use at home, because I knew I would use it more often if I did (which I do - I actually love it).

I have been experimenting with a lot of different workouts for strength training, and honestly, I just don't enjoy weights at all. It's not a thing I have ever been into, and it always feels extremely forced. Especially lately, I have just been skipping it, because I don't like doing it.

I really only care about weight training to tone as much as possible while I lose weight, and hopefully avoid losing muscle when I want to lose fat. Feel free to correct me if I have the purpose of it totally wrong.

I would love to just do my cardio, and then yoga and Pilates. Maybe a little suspension/TRX stuff, but that's about it. Right now, yoga is HARD for me. Like really hard. So it does feel like it is still working on my muscles quite a bit, but I don't really know all the science behind it and whether or not it can be a replacement for having weights in my workout routine.

Does anyone do yoga or bodyweight stuff instead of weights? Or is that a completely terrible idea.

middlehaitch

I do weights now but, for a few years, I was quite happy doing yoga, Pilates, aqua fit, etc, and happy with the results.

I hadn’t worked out before so those activities were enough to stress my muscles, improve my strength, and help resculpt my body.

If yoga and Pilates are something you enjoy, do them. You don’t need to lift weights, you just have to keep using and challenging your muscles.

Cheers, h.

BattyKnitter

It's better to do exercise you enjoy than none at all. Weight lifting is really good for you but if you hate it that much don't force yourself! Maybe you could scale it down to a frequency that isn't so horrible to you, maybe just once or twice a week?

lorrpb

When doing yoga or bodyweight you just need to make sure you are challenging your muscles enough to accomplish your goal. I find it easy to get a bit “lazy” with bodyweight exercises, but you might be different. TRX suspension is a great alternative to weights. People do amazing stuff with that tool!

sistrsprkl8097

Do what you like & fits with your fitness goals. I do weights & yoga. For me, yoga alone does not increase my strength as much as weights. TRX is awesome & could be a substitute for weights to some extent.

NorthCascades

Totally cromulent.

sijomial

TRX is weight training, bodyweight exercises are weight training - you are using your bodyweight instead of iron.
I was lifting and carrying a tumble drier yesterday, it's still weight training.

One thing you might also consider is circuit training, the fast pace, huffing and puffing often appeals more to people who enjoy their cardio.

whatalazyidiot

Thanks everyone! I may keep trying new stuff. Just trying to find what appeals to me, but I also don’t want to fall behind in my progress because I’m stubborn.

mbaker566

if you look up power yoga, there is a bit more emphasis on strength.
i started aerial yoga and it's a nice mix of flexiblity and strength

trx could be a nice option.

maybe weightlifting might give you quicker results but only if you actually do it

GiddyupTim

Most important: Doing what you like and will be consistent at doing, be it dancing or powerlifting or roller skating or jumping rope or badminton or, yes, yoga!
People don't think yoga is a workout? Try Ashtanga sometime.