There are a lot of different options when it comes to staying fit and healthy. You can go to the gym, take yoga classes, or go for a run. But what’s the difference between these activities? And which one is best for you?
In this blog post, we’ll compare yoga and gym workouts – including running. We’ll look at the benefits of each activity, as well as some of the key differences. So read on to find out which one is right for you!
What is yoga:
Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India. It’s a form of exercise that involves physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Yoga can be used for relaxation, stress relief, and overall fitness.
There are many different types of yoga, such as Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Bikram yoga, and Kundalini yoga. each with its own set of benefits.
Yoga Benefits:
1. Yoga can help to improve your flexibility and mobility.
2. It’s a great way to relax and de-stress.
3. Yoga can help to improve your posture and alignment.
4. It can also help to strengthen your muscles, improve your balance, and increase your stamina.
What is the gym:
A gym is a place where you can go to exercise. You can use the equipment to lift weights, do cardiovascular exercises, or take classes. There are usually showers and locker rooms available, as well as other amenities like saunas and steam rooms.
Gym Benefits:
1. The gym is a great place to get a full-body workout.
2. You can use the equipment to target specific areas that you want to work on.
3. Classes at the gym can be a great way to stay motivated and push yourself harder.
4. There are usually other people around to help you with form and technique.
What is running:
Running is a form of aerobic exercise that can be done anywhere, at any time. All you need is a good pair of shoes and some open space. Running is a great way to get your heart rate up and boost your cardiovascular health.
Running Benefits:
1. Running is a great way to get your heart rate up and boost your cardiovascular health.
2. It’s a low-impact exercise, so it’s easy on your joints.
3. Running can help to improve your stamina and endurance.
4. It’s a great way to clear your head and reduce stress.
Yoga vs Gym vs Running: Which is best for you?
Now that we’ve looked at the key differences between yoga, the gym, and running, it’s time to decide which one is right for you. If you’re looking for a way to improve your flexibility and mobility, then yoga is a great option. If you want to get a full-body workout, then the gym is a better choice. And if you’re looking for a way to boost your cardiovascular health, then running is the best option.
9 Key Differences – Gym Run vs Yoga:
Equipment:
With yoga, you only need a mat and perhaps a few props such as blocks or straps. At the gym, there is a wide range of equipment available such as treadmills, ellipticals, weights, and more. Running requires no equipment other than a good pair of shoes. Generally, signing up for gym gives you access to much more equipment you can use to work out and burn calories.
Fitness goals:
Yoga can be used for relaxation, stress relief, and overall fitness. The gym is a great place to get a full-body workout. Running is a great way to get your heart rate up and boost your cardiovascular health. You burn about three times more calories running or working out in the gym than you do with yoga. To achieve fitness goals such as having a flat stomach or losing weight, the gym and running are better choices.
Intensity level:
Yoga is a low-intensity form of exercise. The gym offers a wide range of intensity levels depending on the type of equipment you use and how hard you work. Running can be done at different speeds and intensities, from a slow jog to an all-out sprint. If you’re looking for a low-intensity workout, then yoga is the best choice. If you want a high-intensity workout, then the gym or running are better options.
Time commitment:
Yoga classes typically last for 60 minutes, but you can do yoga at home on your own time. At the gym, you can stay for as long or as little as you want. Running also requires no time commitment other than the time it takes to put on your shoes and go for a run. If you’re short on time, then running is the best choice.
Cost:
Yoga classes can be expensive, especially if you go to a studio. The cost of a gym membership depends on the gym, but it can be cheaper than yoga if you sign up for a long-term contract. Running is the most affordable option since all you need is a good pair of shoes.
Classes:
Yoga classes are available at studios, gyms, and even some community centers. Gym classes are also available at most gyms. Running doesn’t require any classes, but there are often running groups you can join. If you want the structure of a class, then yoga or the gym are better choices.
Atmosphere:
Yoga studios and classes have a relaxed atmosphere where people go to de-stress. The gym can be a more intense environment where people are trying to reach their fitness goals. Running can be done in a relaxed or intense atmosphere, depending on your own personal preference.
Privacy:
Yoga studios and classes offer a sense of privacy since you’re in a room with other people who are focused on their own practice. At the gym, you’re in a more open environment where people can see you working out. When you go for a run, you can choose to be alone or around other people. If you prefer to workout in private, then yoga is the best choice.
Social interaction:
Yoga classes provide an opportunity for social interaction since you’re in a room with other people. At the gym, you can interact with other people if you want, but it’s not required. When you go for a run, you can choose to be alone or around other people. If you’re looking for an opportunity to socialize, then yoga is the best choice.
Which is best for weight loss? Yoga, Running or Gym:
All three options – yoga, running, and the gym – can help you lose weight. Yoga can help you lose weight by toning your muscles and burning calories. Running can help you lose weight by burning calories and increasing your cardiovascular health. The gym can help you lose weight by giving you access to a wide range of equipment to use to tone your muscles and burn calories.
If you want to lose weight, all three options are good choices. However, if you want to lose weight quickly, then the gym and running are better options since they help you burn more calories than yoga does.
The average person will burn between 80 and 140 calories each mile. Depending on your weight and speed, 30 minutes of jogging may burn 280 to 520 calories. The amount of energy burned while running is determined by your weight, the length of time you run, and to a lesser extent, your speed. For a precise calculation, use the calculator.
According to theyoganomads.com, a 30 minutes of yoga can burn between 150-300 calories, depending on the person’s size and fitness level, the style of yoga, and how challenging each pose is.
According to stats quoted by this Livestrong article, the number of calories burned in an hour while weight training varies between 180 and 800 per hour but this depends on which workout you do at the gym. Gym equipment such as a stationary bike or stair-step machine will burn around 300 to 400 calories per hour while an elliptical machine will have you burning up to 800 calories per hour.
Verdict: What’s best for weight loss – Gym and running. Not Yoga
For a 30-minute session, running will burn more calories than yoga. For weight loss, running and the gym are better options since they help you burn more calories. You can burn up to 800 calories per hour at the gym while yoga only burns between 150-300 calories in a 30-minute session. If you want to lose weight quickly, then the gym and running are better options.
Yoga is still a good choice for weight loss, but it may take longer to see results. If you want to lose weight quickly, then the gym and running are better options.
Yoga vs Gym for Belly fat:
Belly fat is the most harmful type of fat. It is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Unfortunately, it’s also very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of adults in the United States have abdominal obesity.
To effectively burn belly fat, you need to work out specific muscle groups in your abdominal area. Both yoga and the gym can help you tone your abdominal muscles and burn belly fat. However, the gym is better equipped to help you target your abdominal muscles specifically. With a wide range of equipment available, you can customize your workout to target your abs.
Power Yoga for Weight loss vs gym vs running:
Power yoga is a type of yoga that is focused on building strength and agility. Power yoga classes often incorporate sun salutations, standing poses, and inversions. They are generally more challenging than other types of yoga classes, and they can help you build muscle and lose weight. Compared to regular yoga, power yoga can help you burn up to 360 calories per hour which is equivalent to being in a stationary bike or stair step machine at the gym. Running still burns more calories than power yoga.
A study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that people who did power yoga for 12 weeks lost more weight and body fat than those who didn’t do yoga. The participants in the study also had a higher VO2 max, which is a measure of cardiovascular fitness.
So, if you’re looking to lose weight, power yoga is a good option. It’s a more challenging form of yoga that can help you build muscle and lose weight.
Yoga vs Gym for flexibility:
Yoga is better for flexibility than the gym. Yoga classes often focus on stretching and holding poses, which can help improve your flexibility. The gym may have some equipment that can help with flexibility, such as a rowing machine or elliptical trainer. However, these machines are primarily designed for cardio exercise and may not be as effective for flexibility.
What’s better – Yoga or a workout?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on your fitness goals and which type of exercise you enjoy more. If you want to lose weight quickly, then the gym and running are better options. However, if you’re looking to improve your flexibility or build muscle, then yoga may be a better choice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which form of exercise you enjoy more and which will help you reach your fitness goals.
What can you do at the gym you can do with yoga:
- Run: You can do yoga or you can run on a treadmill at the gym. You burn more calories when you run, so it’s better for weight loss.
- Lift weights: You can do yoga or you can lift weights at the gym. Lifting weights will help you build muscle, but yoga can also help with this.
- Cycle: You can cycle on a stationary bike at the gym or you can do yoga on a regular bike.
Yoga Poses to Burn As Much Calories as Gym Workouts:
Plank:
The plank is an excellent yoga pose that challenges your core muscles. It also helps improve your posture and can be done anywhere. You can hold the plank for 30 seconds to one minute.
Downward Dog:
The downward dog is a popular yoga pose that helps stretch your hamstrings and back. It also strengthens your arms and shoulders. You can hold the downward dog for 30 seconds to one minute.
Warrior III:
The warrior III is a challenging yoga pose that requires balance and strength. It helps stretch your hips and back while also strengthening your legs. You can hold the warrior III for 30 seconds to one minute.
Wrapping up:
If you’re looking to lose weight, then the gym is a better option than yoga. However, if you want to improve your flexibility or build muscle, then yoga may be a better choice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which form of exercise you enjoy more and which will help you reach your fitness goals.
Yoga vs Cardio:
Yoga focuses on three main things: controlling your breath, different poses and how long to hold them, and finally resting/cooling down both mentally and physically after the session. On the other hand, cardio training revolves around heart rate and breathing, trying to maintain an aerobic state for an extended period of time.
Yoga will help with your flexibility, balance, posture, and mental well-being, while cardio will better your cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness levels. If you want to focus on weight loss, cardio is the better option; however, if you want to focus on improving your mind and body connection, then yoga is for you.
According to University of Rochester’s Medical Center, high-impact and fast-step cardio can enable you to burn up to 720 calories per hour which is almost 5 times what you can achieve with power yoga and up to 7 times what you can accomplish with regular yoga.
Running vs Yoga for Anxiety:
If you’re struggling with anxiety, both running and yoga can help. They’re both forms of exercise that can release endorphins, which are hormones that improve your mood. Running may be better for reducing anxiety in the short-term, while yoga may be better for reducing anxiety in the long-term. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that people who did yoga had lower levels of anxiety than those who didn’t do yoga. So, if you’re looking to reduce your anxiety, yoga may be a better choice than running.
What I recommend for beginners who are minimally fit:
I recommend yoga for beginners who are minimally fit because it’s a low-impact form of exercise that can help improve your flexibility and build muscle. Additionally, yoga is less likely to cause injuries than other forms of exercise. If you’re looking to lose weight, then the gym is a better option, but if you want to improve your overall fitness, then yoga is a good choice.
FAQs
Q: What’s better for weight loss – yoga or the gym?
A: If you want to lose weight quickly, then the gym and running are better options. However, if you’re looking to improve your flexibility or build muscle, then yoga may be a better choice. You burn more calories running or working out on cardio equipment at the gym than you do doing yoga.
Q: What’s better for flexibility – yoga or the gym?
A: Yoga is typically better for flexibility than the gym. Yoga classes often focus on stretching and holding poses, which can help improve your flexibility. The gym may have some equipment that can help with flexibility, such as a rowing machine or elliptical trainer. However, these machines are primarily designed for cardio exercise and may not be as effective for flexibility.
Q: What’s better for building muscle – yoga or the gym?
A: The gym is typically better for building muscle than yoga. With a wide range of equipment available, you can customize your workout to target the muscles you want to build. Yoga classes may also help you build muscle, but they are not typically as focused on building muscle mass as the gym is.