Does anybody do hot yoga?

2»

Replies

  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Hot yoga (and yes, I've done it) burns the same calories as running. Your heart rate is elevated due to the heat. I've done a lot of research on this topic. :) Right now I'm not doing hot yoga (just Vinyasa and Hatha) but the calorie burn is totally different in hot yoga. :)
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Hot Yoga....as opposed to jumping into an ice tub...SMH...makes no sense, these fads...move the body and you burn.

    It's not a fad. It has been done for thousands of years (just like Tai Chi). Anchient martial arts are no fad...
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Hot Yoga....as opposed to jumping into an ice tub...SMH...makes no sense, these fads...move the body and you burn.

    Why hate on the type of exercise someone likes to do? You're working out in yoga class, not sitting around like you are in an ice tub. Try a fast paced vinyasa class, it's not just stretching and meditation. If somebody finds a type of exercise that they enjoy and that works for them, what does it matter to you?
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member


    Note--Hot yoga and Bikram yoga are NOT the same thing. Hot yoga can be a hatha or vinyasa based practice, just depending on the instructor, it's basically just a yoga class with the room heated to 90-95 degrees, where as Bikram is where the room is not only heated, but the humidity is turned up as well and you do a series of 26 hatha poses (twice each). I've never tried Bikram only because there aren't that many Bikram studios around and they're kind of expensive, but I do hot yoga at least twice a week at this really awesome donation based studio, sometimes 3 times a week, and I LOVE it! Our instructors change things up a lot; this past weekend we did a more fast paced vinyasa practice and I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my life!

    This is true. There are some very specific guidelines that need to be followed to qualify as Bikram yoga. Most studios can not adhere, so they offer "hot" yoga as an alternative. I estimate around 300 calories for my 75 minute class (I am 5' 0" and 110 lbs).
  • mcrowe1016
    mcrowe1016 Posts: 647 Member
    Sweating is the body trying to cool itself because of the extra heat, doesn't actually mean you're burning more calories. A HRM in yoga will not give an accurate number either.

    FYI - You're body will burn more calories trying to warm itself up than to cool itself down.

    This. Hot yoga is great for flexibility and loosening up the muscles and I have great respect for it, but burns no more calories than doing the same yoga in normal temperatures.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Hot Yoga....as opposed to jumping into an ice tub...SMH...makes no sense, these fads...move the body and you burn.

    Why hate on the type of exercise someone likes to do? You're working out in yoga class, not sitting around like you are in an ice tub. Try a fast paced vinyasa class, it's not just stretching and meditation. If somebody finds a type of exercise that they enjoy and that works for them, what does it matter to you?

    I agree. And for anyone that has taken a 90 minute Power Yoga class (hot or in a regular studio) it is no joke. It's my favorite type of full body strength training and cardio mixed into one. Not to sound sexist but if it is a co-ed yoga class you should see the guys in there. They are in now way wasting their 60-90 minutes.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member

    This. Hot yoga is great for flexibility and loosening up the muscles and I have great respect for it, but burns no more calories than doing the same yoga in normal temperatures.

    That's impossible. With the elevated heart rate in a 104F class I've always heard it is the same calorie burn as running. How can your heart rate be elevated (versus the same class in a room with air conditioning) and have it not be a higher calorie burn?
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Here's some good information about why hot yoga burns more calories than yoga in a normal temp room:

    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/bikram-vs-regular-yoga-the-differences-in-calories-burned.html
  • mcrowe1016
    mcrowe1016 Posts: 647 Member
    Here's some good information about why hot yoga burns more calories than yoga in a normal temp room:

    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/bikram-vs-regular-yoga-the-differences-in-calories-burned.html

    1) read the two comments on the article you posted.
    2) Here is another random article from google that says that it doesn't burn more calories. At least this one lists the author. We can find conflicting google articles all day long. http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/does-yoga-burn-calories.aspx
    3)Look up if running in heat will burn more calories than running in cold
    4)I will state again that yoga is a wonderful activity and I have great respect for it. I just know that hot yoga is not beneficial to an increased calorie burn.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Here's some good information about why hot yoga burns more calories than yoga in a normal temp room:

    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/bikram-vs-regular-yoga-the-differences-in-calories-burned.html

    1) read the two comments on the article you posted.
    2) Here is another random article from google that says that it doesn't burn more calories. At least this one lists the author. We can find conflicting google articles all day long. http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/does-yoga-burn-calories.aspx
    3)Look up if running in heat will burn more calories than running in cold
    4)I will state again that yoga is a wonderful activity and I have great respect for it. I just know that hot yoga is not beneficial to an increased calorie burn.

    I agree. However, after taking years of both hot yoga and regular the toll that the hot style takes on your body I can't imagine it does not burn more calories (it is a quite demanding class). I've never worn my HRM in yoga (I don't intend on doing so) but I guess that's the only valid way to tell.
  • girlykate143
    girlykate143 Posts: 220 Member
    its like doing regular yoga in hell they heat the room up

    ... I just cracked up.
    yup. the first time it is. :) the second time in hell isn't so bad. :) I've been doing it off and on since 2003-04. It's addicting and challenging and good for your skin. I've never paid attention to the calorie burn until now. I'm thinking it depends upon your weight. For me @ 5'10" 150, it thinks i'm 730, but that's actually hard for me to believe. I do it for the strength training and the afterburn.
    *shrug*
  • FrenchMob
    FrenchMob Posts: 1,167 Member
    ....... I've never worn my HRM in yoga (I don't intend on doing so) but I guess that's the only valid way to tell.
    A HRM is not gospel when it comes to calories burnt. Stress, caffeine, diet, heat, sleep quality, etc. etc. will affect your heart rate but it doesn't actually mean you're burning more calories.

Categories