Weightlifters and yogis often think they belong to separate worlds. Oh, babe, that is a BIG mistake… Yoga and weightlifting are indeed a fantastic combination!! In order to build power to lift you need strength and yoga offers a truly uplifting workout experience which delivers outstanding muscular strength.
Weightlifting is an endurance sport, and to be able to lift very heavy loads you need incredible focus and determination. And what better practice than yoga to build concentration and focus?
Breathing technique is a huge part of yoga, and correct deep breathing allows the airways to open so that you can bring more oxygen into the body boosting circulation and lung capacity. This is particularly important for weightlifters enduring strength and conditioning training. Equally, making sure there is plenty of oxygen circulating round the body is key to achieve an excellent performance.
Weightlifters are often left completely exhausted after a session and they may find very difficult to wind down. Yoga can really help with that, calming the mind and stretching the body.
Here are some benefits I have experienced by combining yoga with weightlifting into my daily practice.
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Strength and flexibility
Although yoga is great at building natural strength, weightlifting can help if you are looking to put on muscle quickly. More strength and more muscles also improve your yoga poses!
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Explosiveness and endurance
In yoga, by doing the movements slowly and holding poses, you activate slow-twitch muscle fibres, which builds endurance. On the contrary, weightlifting activates your reactive fast-twitch muscle fibres. It’s useful to maintain a balance between both and doing a hybrid training routine enables this.
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Nicer looking body
Strength and conditioning training builds visually pleasing muscles in a shorter time, which is a great bonus especially for skinnier people. Yoga accelerates your metabolism, which helps with weight loss, increases bone density and helps maintain joint flexibility.Workout of the mind, body and soul
Weightlifting is a great exercise to build stamina, but not many physical activities can match the way you feel calm and peaceful after a yoga session. Yoga nourishes your soul and helps you listen to that quiet voice inside your head. Combining the two is the secret of a really balanced workout.
So, what are you waiting for? Incorporate both these amazing exercises into your routine and get the best of both worlds!
