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06.26.2013

Yoga Benefits for Weight Lifters

Why Weight Lifters Should Practice Yoga:

“In 2009 New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer, a 13-year NFL veteran at the time, said, “If I hadn’t done yoga,
I’d be out of the league by now.” Specifically, Toomer credited his
yoga practice for helping him increase his flexibility and full range of
motion in his muscles, something he felt years of weightlifting had
taken away.

During the same season, Giants offensive lineman Shaun O’Hara,
an avid weightlifter, said yoga increased his endurance and
flexibility, allowing him to play late into a season that eventually
stretched into the playoffs.

Lifting weights reduces muscle flexibility and shortens muscle fibers. Over time, workout routines devoted exclusively to weight training increase the chances of injuries to weightlifters. Regular yoga
practice elongates the muscles, relieves muscle soreness, increases
strength and endurance, and keeps the body supple and mobile. In other
words, the benefits of yoga counteract the harmful effects of weight lifting.

The mental benefits of yoga complement those of weightlifting. Both
activities require concentration, balance, strength, and commitment to
form. Yoga’s emphasis on calming the mind by linking breath to movement
can help weightlifters achieve greater focus during their weight
training, possibly resulting in increased strength gains and fewer
injuries.

As a weightlifter, if you commit to yoga and practice regularly, you
can prevent weightlifting-related injuries and transform yourself into a
stronger, healthier and calmer individual in all walks of life,
including the weight room.”

Source for Article

My advice for finding a yoga class that fits you is to find an instructor that is consistent with your goals. For me, yoga isn’t so much of a workout, rather one hour to stretch and elongate my muscles and most importantly, ease the mind and center myself. While I do yoga in my own home, I’ve personally found that the relaxation benefits come best from taking a class. 
Namaste
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Comments

  1. Heather

    What type of yoga do you do?

    • Fitness Barbie

      Vinyasa flow and restorative. I mainly use yoga for stretching and these two style help me out greatly with that!

      XOXO,
      Lauren

  2. Emily Peerboom

    do you have any free youtube ones that are really good? so that i don't have to buy anything 🙂

    • Fitness Barbie

      fitnessbarbielaurengleisberg on youtube and you will see some of my more recent videos. I am making it a goal of mine to try to keep up with youtube this year. I will be posting more yoga videos too!

      XOXO,
      Lauren

  3. jonelle crichton

    Hi Lauren,

    You are amazing!!! I love your website with all the tips. it has definitely given me the motivation to continue working out. I have worked out for so long and struggled to see the results that I really want to see.

    I have your weekly workout and diet – how many times a week should one be doing yoga? My problem is time – going in the gym twice a day – weight lifting and then yoga later…WHat are your ideas about how often etc?

    Thanks Jo

    • Fitness Barbie

      Hey Jo!
      Thank you for all the kind comments girl! As far as how many times a week one should be doing yoga, I feel it is all up to that specific individual. Some of my workouts will only consist of yoga and sometimes I will just do some yoga an hour or two before bed to help my body relax and take the stress off my mind. So really girl its up to you and how you see it fit in your workout plan. (Personally, I do yoga about 2-4 days a week and weight train 5 days a week)

      Make it work with your life and your own schedule girl. Keep up the hard work and thank you for the support 🙂

      XOXO,
      Lauren

  4. Yoga Exercises at Home

    My brother do weight lifting and these are really some good yoga you suggested i will surely share this info to him.

  5. Raghav Singh

    nice blog post,
    Boost Your Energy With Yoga , Yoga is a deeply spiritual practice, improve stamina, strength and body flexibility, concentration and balance, improved metabolism,.
    Yoga Teacher Training

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