yoga vs gym
Yoga vs Gym: Which One Should You Go For?

Are you confused about whether you should practise yoga or go for a workout in a gym? Relax! You are not alone. Every beginner faces such confusion very often. Some get influenced by great yoga masters having toned physiques with amazing functional strength. Whereas, some are impressed with bulky physiques and a strong body. Here are some key elements to solve yoga vs gym confusion. Keep reading.

Different Elements of Yoga vs Gym

Functional Strength

It means that the strength your body has to do everyday tasks without any inconvenience. Practising yoga requires your bodyweight alone. On the other hand, the gym uses different machines and additional weights.

Functional Strength

So, yoga practice helps you have more natural strength. When it comes to the gym, you become good at picking weight. However, yoga practise helps you become good at carrying your weight with much ease and confidence. Therefore, your goal helps you solve yoga vs gym confusion.

Mobility

Do you feel pain in your joints? If yes, you might not be able to work out in the gym. However, you can practice yoga without any fear or inconvenience. Moreover, many yoga forms entirely focus on healing joint pain.

mobility

Various yoga poses massage your joints and helps in nourishing them with natural fluids. The gym includes lifting heavy weights that put additional pressure on your joints. Hence, yoga wins the yoga vs gym battle.

Flexibility

Yoga practice includes twisting and turning your body when you practice different yoga poses. There is no limit or restrictions when you practice yoga. However, the gym fails to provide any free movements. Moreover, you have to sacrifice your flexibility if you choose to work out in a gym.

flexibility

Yoga practice improves the flexibility of your spine, increases your hip mobility, and heals joint pain. Also, practising yoga improves the range of motion of your different joints. Thus, you become more flexible when you practice yoga.

Mastering body

Controlling your body means you can lift or carry your body easily. That can only be attained when you practice yoga. Gym workouts are monotonous and require additional weights to gain strength. No matter you become strong with gym workouts. But yoga practice helps you much more with becoming a master of your body.

mastering body

Thus, you become resistant to various injuries since you are working out with your body alone. Moreover, you work on your ligaments, tendons, and muscle tissues that improves your overall strength. Thus, yoga wins in the yoga vs gym battle.

Convenience

You can practice yoga anywhere. Whereas you need a specific place to do a gym workout. You don’t need equipment since you work with your body. On the other hand, you need additional weight, rods, or machines to do the workout.

Therefore, yoga is much cheaper. All you need is a yoga mat. However, you need to take a gym membership to do a workout that could be very costly.

yoga vs gym

Is Yoga Better Than The Gym?

After inspecting the above-mentioned different elements of yoga vs gym, yoga is a clear winner in every aspect. Yoga practice has overall benefits and seems to lag in nothing. It is even good for your mental and spiritual growth.

Gym workout solely focuses on your physical dimension. But you can not do a gym workout if you are injured or have pain. Yoga on the other hand can be practised to relieve chronic pain.

After going through the comparison given above, it is clear that yoga wins the race. However, there are some reasons why yoga is better than a gym workout.

1. Benefits On a Deeper Level

The ancient art of yoga is not all about practising asanas and Pranayama day in and out. It also helps you remain in the moment and fills your body and mind with positivity. At the same time, you have meditation which helps you dive deeper and connect with your true self on a spiritual level. On the contrary, a gym only focuses on improving your physical health.

2. Teaches Acceptance

The ancient art of yoga is the best way for you to accept your true self with all its shortcomings and strengths. Yoga is more about self-acceptance than only self-improvement. On the other hand, a gym workout is more of a boot camp where you are more likely to feel like a failure if you are unable to do a workout.

3. Can be Done Anywhere

In comparison to a gym workout where you need specialized equipment and expensive health club membership, yoga can be done even at home or outdoors. Moreover, for a yoga practice, all you need is a comfortable mat and clothes.

4. Minimizes Ache and Pains

A week of missing the gym workout leads to discomfort and pains. On the contrary, yoga stretches your muscles and opens the various energy channels in your body. This ancient art increases the flexibility of your muscles and lubricates the joints.

5. Keeps You Calm

With yoga, it is all about a peaceful and calm practice. There is no grunting or clenching of teeth. The entire goal of a yoga session is to help your body and mind release pent-up tension. On the other hand, workout at a gym is a bit aggressive and loud.

6. Minimizes Stress

There is a multitude of yoga styles that give you a chance to clear the mind of all clutter and let go of all the stress. However, the environment in a gym is competitive in nature, not to forget the loud music and bright lights which only increase your aggression and stress.

Thus, these are the reasons that make yoga a clear winner in the yoga vs gym comparison.

EndNote

Yoga vs gym is an ever-going debate. Yoga is winning by far from the gym with its ability to completely transform you. You can further join a yoga fitness center in Rishikesh to learn true yoga and clear all your basics of yoga.

Thus, you can make yoga practice your routine to align your mind, body, and spirit and live a fulfilling life.

FAQs

Ques 1) Can I build muscle with yoga?

Ans) Yes! Building muscles with yoga is very easy. You do not need any extra equipment. Further, you can learn to master your bodyweight that can help you gain muscles. Moreover, it improves muscle quality and muscle maturity. 

Ques 2) Can I do both yoga and gym?

Ans) Absolutely yes! Practising yoga and gym together can be beneficial for you. The gym can help you become strong with weights whereas yoga practice can help you remain lean and flexible.  Hence, you can work on your overall wellness when you combine yoga practice and gym. 

Ques 3) Is yoga good for weight loss?

Ans) Yes! Yoga practice is good for weight loss. There have been plenty of yoga poses sequences that raise your heartbeat and improve your blood circulation. You can also burn plenty of calories with consistent yoga practice. 

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