In our busy lives, it becomes very difficult to manage everything from household to office work. In the end, we are always left with little time for ourselves. However, some of the time should be invested in exercise so that we are both physically and mentally fit. But the biggest question here is whether to do yoga or gym. What if we say you can combine both Yoga and Gym together? In this way, you can combine the mindfulness of yoga with the strength of gym workouts. In this detailed blog, we will guide you on how you can practice both gym and yoga to have a perfect fitness routine.
Combining Yoga and Gym Benefits
When you try a combination of yoga and gym, you can have numerous benefits that improve your physical and mental health. Some of the benefits are:
- Yoga increases balance and flexibility, which increases the overall range of motion. Hence, the risk of injury is very low.
- Gym workouts help you build strength and increase your metabolism and overall physical fitness.
- Both yoga and gym increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure, which thus improves your heart health.
- Gym and Yoga are already known for their stress-reducing properties and help you calm your mind and reduce anxiety.
- Practicing yoga and gym together improves focus and concentration. It provides mental clarity, improves productivity and enhances your overall mental health.
Difference Between Yoga and Gym
When we talk about the difference between yoga and gym, it is important to know that yoga is a practice that combines asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), and Dhyana (Meditation) that help you enhance your physical, mental and emotional health. While practicing any yoga asana, it is very important for you to focus on proper alignment, breathing and movement. In contrast, gym workouts combine cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, and cycling, resistance training like weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, and flexibility exercises like stretching or foam rolling. When you work out in the gym, you have to focus on proper form and technique to avoid any unnecessary injuries.
Expert Tips to Create a Balanced Routine
Let’s now discuss some tips for how can we do yoga and gym together to have a perfectly balanced routine.
Set a Goal
Before creating a balanced routine right away, it is very necessary to set a goal for yourself. That will involve identifying things like what you want to achieve through your yoga and gym practice. Do you want to increase flexibility, build endurance and strength, or enhance your heart health? Identifying your goal may help you to create a routine that will perfectly match your busy schedule.
Schedule Your Workout Session
Once you have set a goal, it’s now time to schedule your workout sessions. You should practice yoga and gym together at least 2-3 times per week and, as usual, give a one-day rest to yourself in between. This will not put unnecessary pressure on your body.
Setting up Alternate Days Between Yoga and Gym
As it can be very difficult to start with both forms together in the starting, you can alternate between yoga and gym. For example, you can practice Gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and can practice yoga asanas on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Note: Start slowly with short workouts and as you start adapting the practice, slowly increase the intensity and duration of your practice.
Safety Precautions and Modifications To Keep in Mind
When you are practicing gym and yoga together, it is very necessary to keep some safety precautions and modifications to avoid unnecessary injuries. You should keep the following things in your mind before starting :
- If you are tired or having pain, do not practice yoga or gym, and take rest. It’s best to avoid heavy weightlifting or advanced yoga asanas that may lead to the issue.
- Don’t put too much pressure on your body, especially when you are in your starting phase. As mentioned above, start slowly and gradually increase the duration of your exercise.
- You can always modify the poses if you are new to yoga or gym, or in case you are suffering from any health conditions or injuries. Yoga asanas like Adho Mukha Savanasa, Virabhadrasana and gym exercises like Deadlifts and Squats can be modified or avoided in case of any injuries.
To Sum Up
We hope you liked the information Yogaasan provided on combining yoga and gym together. It can be an amazing way to enhance your physical and mental health. If you add both practices to your daily routines, you will experience many benefits, from enhanced flexibility to improved heart and mental health. Always listen to your body and modify or avoid certain asanas of exercises accordingly. Keep practicing yoga and gym and achieve a deeper level of balance in your body.
