Please argue benefits of lifting (v yoga) in my post :)

brownvs · May 2013

I'm a beginner to fitness all around, but always had good nutrition so never overweight.

As a result my muscles are approximately the same as a patient who's been in the ICU for 6 months without moving - nearly nonexistent muscles. I've been getting a lot of grief from one of my guy friends who keeps insisting lifting weights is superior to yoga. It's like every single day, I get a new "you should lift weights" from him. So by this point, I'm at least curious about the benefits and more than a little annoyed ;-).

However, I keep telling him that I more or less can't squat properly due to what might be the world's tightest hammies (can only go down an inch with heels touching the ground + back straight; maybe an additional 11 inches or so if I curve my back a bit). I think I could deadlift and maybe benchpress something small if I had someone helping me and didn't overdo it (somehow I've hurt myself EVERY time I go near those stupid weights

)

I

yoga and it's given me tiny little "muscle lumps" that are not unattractive - also my hammies have stretched a tiny bit since starting and I haven't gotten hurt because I take it in a class setting (like lowest level yoga).

By the way, I'm not worried about bulking up and I am a woman ;-) haha.

Can you please push me over the edge and convince me to start weightlifting? Are there benefits to weightlifting that are > yoga? I'm just so intrigued what with all the drama.

sean_d33 · May 2013

Do both

ChristiH4000 · May 2013

Please do both. The yoga gives you body weight strength and will help immensely with those tight hammies over time. The lifting will give you POWER and will shut up your friend.

brownvs · May 2013

But why? Won't yoga make me stronger too? :-/

brownvs · May 2013

To be clear, I'm asking why I would need weightlifting in ADDITION to yoga. I mean assuming yoga makes me stronger all on its own. Which it seems to have.

Alex_is_Hawks · May 2013

you are telling us to convince you but really it sounds like you don't wanna do this...you're only trying to railroad yourself into it to shut him up...

yoga is cool...lifting is cool.

I LOVE lifting because it makes me feel strong, badass and I get to spend an hour and a half tooling around in the gym with my boyfriend. I've caught the bug from him and I am enjoying the changes in my body.

that being said...who said just doing yoga wasn't more than adequate if that is what you want to do?

just be healthy, that's all.

you have two options...

you can tell him to shut the hell up that you are happy with what you are doing and where you are.

or you can try it and see if you like it. you may catch the lovebug for it like i did....who knows?

JenMc14 · May 2013

There's no reason not to do both, really. I like feeling strong, and I like maintaining my muscle, that's why I lift. I know it's also good for bone density, which is something I worry about since I'm not getting any younger. If you have tight hammies, keep doing yoga and do air squats or squat variations. Sumo squats might help, for example. Just keep practicing, then you can add weights. As for other lifts, if you've hurt yourself every time, you may be starting too heavy or using in correct form. Start light and concentrate on going slowly with good form. Muscleandstrength.com has excellent videos showing proper forms of lots of lifts. once you've got form down, start adding weights and get to a point where you're fatigued in under 10 reps, then experiment there.

I love yoga for after a run or on days I'm feeling particularly sore or unmotivated. I'm always up for yoga. I also love lifting because it just makes me feel powerful, and, quite frankly, I'm fairly certain I owe my butt to heavy squats.

jpierc · May 2013

I like weights. They are fun and challenging, and all in all, they give me what I want.

I have never tried yoga. I understand it is great for flexibility (which sounds like something you could benefit from) and that it does provide innumerable benefits to the mental well-being of the person.

As for arguing why you should take up weights, it all depends on what you want from your body. Weight-lifting gives you denser bones and stronger tendons and ligaments (ie less likely to suffer from injuries) in addition to the ability to do more things, from opening jar lids to tossing luggage into the overhead bin on an airplane or the physical capability to change a flat tire without needing a tow truck.

I am not attempting to be sexist, but I am trying to show how a little bit of weight-lifting can make everyday mishaps less daunting and somewhat less of an inconvenience.

I would not suggest you stop yoga. I actually would like to take it up myself, but I am completely ignorant of it other than what is available on the Nintendo Wii. However, adding weights to your current fitness routine, no matter what that routine is, is always a good idea.

Try it with a capable partner or trainer for a month and see if you don't notice a difference in what your body can do.

BeachIron · May 2013

No. You do the research and figure it out. Stop asking to be spoon fed or convinced. That's a seriously weak approach.

Edit: apologies if this seems harsh but there have been plenty of threads today arguing about lifting.

shar140 · May 2013

Agree with everyone above.

Question: what is/are your goals? Do whichever, or both, helps you achieve that.

Also, try a foam roller for the hammies.

CorvusCorax77 · May 2013

false dichotomy's are false.

DO BOTH.

Yoga is actually what I do in between sets.

Delicate · May 2013

Do both

they compliment each other perfectly

I wouldn't be able to squat properly if it wasn't for flexibility i obtained through yoga, and i wouldnt have the confidence to lift if it wasnt for being able to do some poses in yoga.

UsedToBeHusky · May 2013

Do both

Yep.

craigmandu · May 2013

Why not work up to the weight lifting by starting with bodyweight? There are many bodyweight routines that can get your muscles at least prepared to begin. You can also start real light....for instance bench press....start with 5lb dumbbell presses....squats, start with bodyweight, or with again, low weight dumbbells, or the bar only (bar is 45lbs usually, so that may be too much).

You get the drift.

When you say you can't squat properly, do this...get a large workout ball (or any large light ball, like the ones at walmart), and put it in the lower part of your back against the wall. Have something on either side to stabilize you, like a chair on each side or something you can use your arms in case you aren't stable enough and keeping your back straight, slowly squat rolling down the wall as far as you can.

Rinse-repeat about 10 times...each time try to get just a little lower (don't go crazy with it)...over a couple of weeks if you do that 3-5 times a week, you should be able to go down more than enough to do squats.

Muscles_Curves · May 2013

I do both. Lifting will make you strong and yoga will give you the ability to touch your toes with your nose. LOL.

Klem4 · May 2013

Both. I do yoga once a week right now, but wish I could do it more, like 2-3 times. I also lift 3 times a week. I love lifting cuz it makes me feel like a beast. I just feel so awesome and strong after. Try it!

BeachGingerOnTheRocks · May 2013

.

brattyworm · May 2013

I'm a beginner to fitness all around, but always had good nutrition so never overweight.

As a result my muscles are approximately the same as a patient who's been in the ICU for 6 months without moving - nearly nonexistent muscles. I've been getting a lot of grief from one of my guy friends who keeps insisting lifting weights is superior to yoga. It's like every single day, I get a new "you should lift weights" from him. So by this point, I'm at least curious about the benefits and more than a little annoyed ;-).

However, I keep telling him that I more or less can't squat properly due to what might be the world's tightest hammies (can only go down an inch with heels touching the ground + back straight; maybe an additional 11 inches or so if I curve my back a bit). I think I could deadlift and maybe benchpress something small if I had someone helping me and didn't overdo it (somehow I've hurt myself EVERY time I go near those stupid weights )

I yoga and it's given me tiny little "muscle lumps" that are not unattractive - also my hammies have stretched a tiny bit since starting and I haven't gotten hurt because I take it in a class setting (like lowest level yoga).

By the way, I'm not worried about bulking up and I am a woman ;-) haha.

Can you please push me over the edge and convince me to start weightlifting? Are there benefits to weightlifting that are > yoga? I'm just so intrigued what with all the drama.

There is no yes or no answer to this. Its what you want and like. I do both yoga and weight training and I run and do boot camp. All have different aspects that are great. Yoga just makes me feel yummy all over and stretches and warms the muscles, which is exceptionally nice the day after my trainer makes me to some 280 lb leg presses or something. The weight training I like a lot cause I can see the progress quicker and it helps with maintaining some of the poses in yoga, yoga takes a lot of freaking strength.

So do what you want, you could give it a try, if you dont like it, then stop... there is no one making you do anything... and tell you're friend, you will try weight training, if he goes to yoga with you... whats fair is fair right?

UsedToBeHusky · May 2013

To be clear, I'm asking why I would need weightlifting in ADDITION to yoga. I mean assuming yoga makes me stronger all on its own. Which it seems to have.

Because each works different muscle groups. And because you will gain strength faster with progressive lifting. Faster strength gains = faster changes in the body.

cwolfman13 · May 2013

You can't really argue lifting vs. yoga...it's apples and oranges. Are you going to see some strength improvement with yoga? Yes. Is it going to be equal to that of an actual strength program? Absolutely not, it's going to be very limited. Are you going to see some flexibility improvement with lifting? Yes. Is it going to be equal to that of regular yoga regimen? Absolutely not and it's going to be very limited.

Really, you should determine to have a well rounded fitness regimen that improves strength, cardiovascular health, endurance, flexibility, and balance...that's going to require doing more than one exercise activity.

rybo · May 2013

I do both. I had taken a very long break from strength training and got to doing yoga and running. I've since kicked in gear with my strength training and it has dramatically improved my yoga, because I am a lot stronger.

juliemouse83 · May 2013

Both...

I am sooooo trying to fall in love with yoga...it would be so beneficial to be bendy...I wish I enjoyed it more so I COULD do them on my non-lift days after my runs.

DaniH826 · May 2013

I do yoga before I lift my barbells.

I love both, and I have my yoga routine designed to support my lifting routine.

You can get in serious shape with yoga and develop incredible strength, if you actually incorporate poses that make you support your own body weight in a meaningful way and therefore make you stronger over time.

But because there's different branches and types of yoga, without knowing what you're actually doing, I have no idea how it's benefitting you in a meaningful way. For all I know you could be doing a few stretches and a downward dog, and call that "yoga", which it would still be, but there's obviously no equal comparison to lifting weights at that point.

Having said that, in the argument about strength vs. flexibility: You need both.

BinaryPulsar · May 2013

Here is an excellent, recent article on this subject that will answer your questions and help you understand what you are seeking to understand. Plenty others reading this would probably also benefit from reading it also.

http://bretcontreras.com/how-yoga-can-compliment-weight-training/

brownvs · May 2013

Super appreciate all the helpful and thought-provoking posts in this thread and would quote except that there isn't a great multi-quote feature in these forums.

To answer a few questions:

My goal is to not be tired all the time or get short of breath doing basic things like climbing up stairs. I suppose overall I just want to be the healthiest version of me.

Perhaps the reason it seems like a dichotomy is because after I do yoga, I'm pretty well spent, esp my arm muscles, and I have a hard time believing I could ALSO conjure up the energy to lift weights that same day. I guess I could alternate days.

I like feeling strong, too, as some of the previous posters said! Yoga helps me with that a little. Struggling to benchpress 25 lb in front of a bunch of huge muscular guys the South Beach/Miami area doesn't really make me feel that strong, somehow, haha ;-) I don't have any weightlifting equipment of my own (obviously).

Seriously, keep the (kind) thoughts coming.

brownvs · May 2013

Here is an excellent, recent article on this subject that will answer your questions and help you understand what you are seeking to understand. Plenty others reading this would probably also benefit from reading it also.

http://bretcontreras.com/how-yoga-can-compliment-weight-training/

Thank you (and to all the others I didn't quote, also thank you).

BinaryPulsar · May 2013

I agree that you should alternate yoga and weight lifting and take some full rest days (at least one, as a minimum per week). I would not do a full, hour long class of yoga and then lift weights immediately after, without a good couple hours break in between, unless it was an extremely gentle class. You can lift weights anywhere from 2 to 4 times a week, and allow days in between each session in which you do not lift weights.

BinaryPulsar · May 2013

I just read on your profile that you are trying to heal a diastasis from pregnancy. Yoga and Pilates and The Tupler Technique by Julie Tupler (I have her maternal fitness book) are the best rehab for healing that. You need to make sure you heal that before you launch right into heavy lifting.

Also, don't compare yourself to others. People will still be impressed by your strength when they see you lifting heavy for you. The men at the gym are impressed by me heavy lifting, even though I lift much less than they do, they can tell I am lifting heavy relative to my body size. And even if they don't, I don't care. I lift weights for myself, not for them.

CorvusCorax77 · May 2013

if you can't bench 25 lbs, you can't do sun salutation. You use the same muscles to go from plant to updog. At least I do. They compliment each other well.

But you don't have to lift. Especially if you can do this:

BinaryPulsar · May 2013

Yoga has modifications that allows everyone from beginner to advanced to be able to do it and have continual room to progress.

CorvusCorax77 · May 2013

Yoga has modifications that allows everyone from beginner to advanced to be able to do it and have continual room to progress.

Yeah I know. But I was explaining one way it may be beneficial to include lifting into it. You can go from 25 to 35 to 45 and find your sun salute getting better. That was my point.

ETA: yeah looking at my post it looked like a snotty shot at someone. Sorry. I wasn't trying to be an *kitten*, but I see how I came off that way. Yoga is amazeballs and some folks who do it get super strong. But I could see lifting being a legitimate supplement or cross train for it.

Please argue benefits of lifting (v yoga) in my post :)

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