Yoga in place of weight lifting

I do the same. I do cardio 3-4 times a week and 2 yoga classes a week. I didn't care for bikram because I was so sweaty I couldn't hold a pose, so I've just done vinyasa flow classes.

I think yoga and standard weight training are similar, but can also vary in key areas. For example, yoga will never give you bulk muscles... but that's why I do it. I love the long, lean muscles you get. Plus it's also great to stretch out your muscles that you tighten so much while running/doing cardio, so it's a bit like killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

I love Yoga! And for me, at my age (54), the power forms of yoga that are similar to body weight exercises are challenging and require strength and endurance and give my body a great work out. Any one who practices yoga at a studio will tell you a good session is made up of planks, chaturangas, chair poses (squats), warrior 3's ect ect....all excellent body weight exercises. And yoga along with some cardio is a great all around program.....BUT....I also lift weights using compound moves and a weight that will challenge me. Some people may get excellent results just practicing yoga and doing cardio. Other people may be looking to gain muscle mass and need a weight lifting program. It all boils down to what your goals are.

I happen to do both with some frequency, and I gotta say, with confidence, that I am pretty lousy at both of them.
That said, I am familiar.
Good scientific research evidence shows that you can build strength with isometric exercise. An example of an isometric exercise would be like holding a warrior pose, or a plank position, or a downward dog -- anything where you have the muscle engaged but are not moving.
I believe I am stronger than I otherwise would be from doing yoga.
However, in my opinion, yoga and weight training are really not the same.
Yoga does not burn very many calories, even when you do an hour of ashtanga, or power, yoga. It is not a good way to lose weight, because it calms and relaxes, and so does not ramp up your metabolism.
Also, while isometric exercise can build strength, one does not usually hold a yoga pose long enough to seriously tax a muscle in the average yoga class or routine. To seriously build strength with isometrics, you need to hold the pressure for a minute or longer. The average pose is going to be less than 30 seconds.
You might get stronger, but not a lot stronger.
Weight lifting, on the other hand, can help you get much stronger. You can stretch yourself beyond your limits, by continually increasing the weight you use, which makes your body adapt, and sprout new neuron connections and grow new muscle fibers. Moreover, a session of weight training ramps up your metabolism for about 24 hours afterwards, which burns extra calories.
Yoga builds balance and coordination, and the stretching is indispensable, for me at least. But it does not stress your body's potential the same way that weight training does.
Course, maybe it does in a different way. There are yogis with extreme flexibility. You never see that in a weight lifter.

I thought the literal meaning of the Sanskrit word was "to unite" or "to join"?
But, I digress, OP. I am sorry.

Yes - the Sanskrit is "to unite" or "to join". In my reply I was suggesting that the word could mean to pull all extremes into the middle or to sit in a place of balance between all extremes - so as to unite or join.

So in context to the OP's question - I see weightlifting as extremely good for strength gains, but lacking in flexibility whereas Yoga offers gains in both but in a more balanced measure, which is what most people are really looking for; not extreme strength at the expense of flexibility or maybe endurance.

Hey, at least we are bumping this thread along . . .

I would think it would greatly depend upon your goals. While you can gain strength and fitness through yoga, and it is very good for balance...and from what I've seen, can do a nice job of toning...but you can't match the strength or muscle growth you get from lifting weights with yoga.

agreed - but do most people who are trying to lose weight and improve their overall fitness and well-being need the extreme strength gains of lifting weights at the expense of everything else?

I would argue that the average person wanting to lose some weight while gaining some muscular strength, flexibility, core strength and improve their physique would be better doing a routine of bodyweight exercises and yoga - but I confess that is where my own passions lie.

The best fitness regime is the one the person is going to love doing and look forward to each session - then it becomes a program for life.

I love yoga, but it does <b>not</b> have the same effect on your body as weight lifting. Yoga is great for balance, flexibility, and some strength. Weight lifting is great for really building up your muscles. They're great complements.

However, neither exercise builds "long & lean" muscles. <b>Nothing</b> builds "long & lean" muscles because your muscles are attached to your bones. What kind of exercise could ever lengthen your muscles? Is it the same kind that could lengthen your bones? Let's throw this myth out the window along with "spot reduction" and "toning up with 5lb dumbbells." If you want to look good, then what you're really working towards is larger muscles and a leaner body.

@ paijing - it's great we can all post our opinions and observations on a free forum for all to read and make our own observations and plan our way forward. My observations are what they are but it's good to read yours.

@ Etoiles_argentees - great pics

However, neither exercise builds "long & lean" muscles. <b>Nothing</b> builds "long & lean" muscles because your muscles are attached to your bones. What kind of exercise could ever lengthen your muscles? Is it the same kind that could lengthen your bones? Let's throw this myth out the window along with "spot reduction" and "toning up with 5lb dumbbells." If you want to look good, then what you're really working towards is larger muscles and a leaner body.

Ha ha!

So true......

@ Jimmmer - Well put - I agree, and a timely reminder thanks.

@ paijing - actually, your physique goes before you. You obviously know what you are talking about, so I stand down (no sarcasm here - I mean my words)

@ shock_wave :yawn:

I've done yoga for several years now. I recently changed up my routine to include more cardio. So MWF I do Cardio/Strength Training w/Weights. On TTh I do Yoga. The cardio and strength training are perfect for my weight loss needs and to help define muscle. I'm starting to see definition in muscles that I didn't have with yoga. I need both.