Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams, MA
Dear Fun and Fit: Hi. Are Pilates and yoga considered strength training? Or do I need to do some free weights? Thank you for your time. Dee, USA
Who me? Nothing. Just hanging around!
Kymberly: The short answer is that both yoga and Pilates DO improve strength and are fantastic activities. And both are low resistance workouts. Depending on your fitness or health goals, you may also want to add some heavier resistance training to your weekly workouts. Think: free weights, machines, elastic tubing, medicine balls, kettlebells, barbells, teen progeny who hold still when you hug and squeeze them. Lots of choices!
Alexandra: I just went over to Gaiam TV to see what kind of yoga and Pilates videos they have for strength training and I got 3 pages of titles just for the “beginner” category. I think my mouse-clicking finger just got stronger! That was surprising – not that my finger has superhuman strength, but that there were so many “alternative” strength DVDs – because in our Yoga For Flexibility and Weight Loss post we talk about yoga’s more relaxing aspects. In this Ab Strengthening post, we talk about some of the benefits of Pilates (and share some great ab moves).
Wonder Woman has Wonderful Biceps!
And my sister gave you the short answer above, so I’ll give you the strong answer. If you only enjoy yoga and Pilates, do them, knowing it will take you longer to show your Wonder Woman toned up muscles. But if you also enjoy free weights, add them to your workout. The combination of activities will be your quickest path to Dee-lightful, Blissful muscles. I shall now go practice my “I got into the Pretzel and can’t get out” move. It’s sort of like the saying for New Orleans (I’ve fallen down and can’t get up), except the Pretzel doesn’t involve drinking. Or cartilage as far as I can tell!
K: Huh? Were you talking? I was working out to Gaiam TV videos that had the words “powerhouse,” “pumping,” “squeeze stronger,” and “Budokon” in them. Apparently I will be invincible!! after I try Budokon. Heck, I’ll be smarter just figuring out what that means. Here’s to being strong and invincible!
A: Activate!
Dear Readers: What are your favorite yoga or Pilates moves for gaining muscle definition and strength?
Also, we want to let you know that Gaiam TV is offering a 10 Day Free Trial, which means you’ll get free access to over 2000 healthy living streaming videos. Yup, free access for you all because that’s how we work the magic on your behalf! If you can’t watch them all in 10 days (you can’t), put a subscription on your wish list. Just sayin’.
Bonus tip: They have videos on everything from the environment, metaphysics, art & culture, science & technology, travel, fitness, documentaries, and dinosaurs to food & nutrition, TV shows, family and even (can you believe it?) yoga and Pilates! We’re off to check out the self-help because if we don’t help ourselves, who will?
Photo credits: Creative Commons: andertoons, Gaiam TV
Disclosure: Gaiam TV compensated us for the links in this post. All opinions and suggestions are our own.
Thank you for the 10 day free trial. I am interested in learning more about yoga and weight loss. Hopefully there is a yoga weight loss place here in Las Vegas.
Rene recently posted..Motivating Workout Music Playlist 2011
you two crack me up!
Tara Burner recently posted..Fitness Gifts For the Holidays
That is because Kymberly’s crack is wack!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
All of the above is my workout! Yoga, pilates and free weights. I guess it’s working as I have lost inches and feel great! Thanks for the confirmation.
Jackie recently posted..Holiday Tips for How to be Your Happiest!
Hi Jackie, that’s great to hear. You got the double happy – you feel better AND you got trimmer. Isn’t exercise wonderful?
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fit to Be Holiday Gifts
Nice! Your back and forth in these posts always make me smile. I always considered yoga to be strength lengthening…
Emily faliLV recently posted..Fairy Sprinkles in my INBOX | Fairy Hobmother
Yes, well, I’m back, Kymberly’s forth. Or should I say “fourth” because that’s the order in which our parents like us best! Oh, snap!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..3 Things That Do NOT Help You To Get Flat Abs
I just enrolled Yoga at kelly’s gym. And yes they thought me how to have a healthy life style.
Joan recently posted..Brainwave Entrainment Using Binaural Beats
Hey Joan, where is your gym? We want to go there and work out too, as we love places that teach you how to live a better life! Congrats on all your efforts!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Holiday Food: Mind Over Platter
You guys are hilarious! Love the selections on GaiamTV!
Fit Chick in the City recently posted..Ideology at Macy’s
You don’t have to be so nice to Kymberly; you can just say that Alexandra is hilarious….Ooop, hi Kym. What? No, I didn’t say a word.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Are Skechers Sketchy, Steppy, or Peppy?
Pilates all the way! Yoga just makes me too sleepy …
Anyways, my fave Pilates move is the rippling cat. I’m pretty sure the extra spine flexibility and strength comes from that one move.
Also, the plank has grown on me over the years. Although I have to say, I still hate it when I’m doing it (my Pilates teacher shows no mercy with this move) but I definitely am reaping the benefits of a stronger core.
Mena recently posted..How to Get Rid of Flabby Arms and Kick Your Cardigan to the Curb
Hey Mena, I like the sleepytime yoga as long as everyone else falls asleep too! My fave Pilates move is the Swan, because that move always cracks up my students. And planks reign supreme! We soooo agree with you – except maybe the torture part. We were training for a class once, and the master instructor made us hold the plank for 5 minutes. That was not fun.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fix That Posture!
I’ve found that planks are always better if you can talk the whole time. Instructors can tell a good story, or participants can come with a joke – makes the time fly by. Planks rule!
Amy recently posted..Running in the Dark
Have recently begun attending regular yoga classes AND working out with a Pilates instructor on the reformer. I need yoga because years of overly tight hips are really starting to play havoc on my knees and IT bands. Pilates is already making me think more about how I sit and move during the day and what effect that has on my overall health!
Hi Charity, you are our new best friend because you know the difference between “effect” and “affect.” We’re always surprised that people think yoga and Pilates are the same. The only thing they have in common is mellow music! That reformer is tough, isn’t it? Foam rollers are also great for tight IT bands! Come back with your good spelling again!
“I think my mouse-clicking finger just got stronger!” – Mine too! LOL I am rolling of laughter, haha!
Anna recently posted..root canal pain
I’d certainly give myyogaonline a try. They have thousands of classes for 9.95. I am loving their studio classes. It feels as though I am practicing in NY and Vancouver, and LA like I am right there in the class with the teacher. And the support of their community is amazing.
Yoga Girl recently posted..Dharma of Relationships: Align and Realign
Yes, MyYogaOnline does have lots of choices. We are so happy that people have access to so many different options, as we’re for anything that gets people moving.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..C-c-c-cooking with Ch-ch-ch-chia seeds!
Can’t say it is my favorite, but it does do great things for the core and that is the Plank. My work out trainer at Tone-up Santa Barbara makes us do it every work out.
Dr. Lynn K. Jones, Certified Personal and Executive Coach
http://www.lynnkjones.com
Business and Life Coach recently posted..Featured Get Your MoJo! Guest Blogger: Barbara Kline,Serial Entrepreneur
Hey I just started to learn about yoga and weight loss. This comes really handy..thanks!
Joel recently posted..The History of Credit Cards – Where it All Started?
Kymberly: The short answer is that both yoga and Pilates DO improve strength and are fantastic activities. And both are low resistance workouts. Depending on your fitness or health goals, you may also want to add some heavier resistance training to your weekly workouts. Think: free weights, machines, elastic tubing, medicine balls, kettlebells, barbells, teen progeny who hold still when you hug and squeeze them. Lots of choices!