By

Larry F. Waldman, PhD, ABPP

Psychologist, Trainer

Resistance training (weight lifting) is far more popular than yoga. It is rare, especially among men, to find people who do both.

Having spent thousands of hours in the gym for the past 50 years and a hundred hours on a yoga mat this past decade, it is unfortunately clear that many male lifters consider yoga to be primarily for women and not for “musclemen.” They are misinformed. Hoisting iron will build strength and improve bone density, which is certainly desirable, but it does little for aerobic conditioning, flexibility and balance—part of the four cornerstones of true fitness.

1. Weight lifters typically pay little attention to proper breathing, often holding their breath on the power move—which is ill-advised. Controlled breathing is a key part of every yoga practice, which would condition the lifter to breathe properly when exercising to better oxygenate their muscles.

2. Resistance training generates bigger but shorter muscles—which provides that bulge lifters seek. Yoga is focused on stretching and lengthening muscles, which aids in toning the muscle and prevents muscle tears and cramps many lifters experience.

3. Weight training often involves the major muscle group of a joint (agonist muscle). Yoga is expressly designed to exercise the agonist and opposing antagonist muscles of every joint throughout the body, which prevents the muscle imbalance some lifters unknowingly develop.

4. Weight lifters, especially when working with heavy weights, tend to forget about posture. Alternatively, yoga emphasizes the correct position and posture in all poses to protect the back and spine, which the lifter should incorporate into their workout.

5. Lifting typically involves a relatively short range of motion of the muscle (ROM). Most yoga poses incorporate a long ROM, which, again, tones the muscle and, importantly, develops flexibility.

6. Due to lack of time or fatigue, lifters often neglect to stretch after a workout, which can lead to soreness and even injury (a sprain). If the lifter does stretch, it is done statically (with no movement). In contrast, most yoga stretches are done dynamically, as several joints are moved simultaneously through the full ROM. Again, toning and flexibility are enhanced while muscle soreness and the risk of injury are reduced.

7. Weight training involves the major muscle groups—especially if using machines (as opposed to free weights). Yoga incorporates the smaller stabilizing muscles, which completely exercises the muscle group.

8. As noted previously, strength training does little for balance and due to possible developed muscle imbalances it may worsen it. Most yoga practices include several balance poses which improves balance, especially as the lifter ages.

9. Lifters usually are not “present” when training, as they commonly listen to loud music and jaw with their fellow lifters. Yoga teaches meditation, focus, and “being in the now,” which will teach lifters to train more mindfully.

Clearly, yoga is a complementary and necessary adjunct to male and female strength trainers. If the lifter is working out in a gym, which often is the case, yoga classes are usually available and free with the basic gym membership fee. Two one-hour yoga practices per week, preferably following a weight training work out, would be sufficient to enhance any strength training program.

https://mcclurefitness.com/storywhy-its-good-to-accompany=yoga-with-strength-training/
https://yogafitsstudios.com/blog/why-weightlifters-should-do-yoga/
https://doyou.com/5-reasons-why-yoga-is-a-good-complement-to-weightlifting/

ISSA: Yoga for Weightlifters: Maximize Strength with Flexibility
Waldman, L. Why Seniors Need to Get Back to the Gym

Larry F. Waldman, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed clinical, forensic psychologist who practiced in Phoenix for 45 years. He worked with children, adolescents, parents, adults, and couples. He also provided forensic consultations in the areas of family law, personal injury, and estate planning. He speaks professionally on marriage, parenting, private practice development, psychotherapy and wellness to laypersons, educators, corporations, attorneys, chiropractors, and fellow mental health professionals. He teaches graduate courses in counseling for the University of Phoenix. He also is a certified senior fitness specialist. He is the author of “Who’s Raising Whom? A Parent’s Guide to Effective Child Discipline;” “Coping with Your Adolescent;” “How Come I Love Him but Can’t Live with Him? Making Your Marriage Work Better;” “The Graduate Course You Never Had: How to Develop, Manage, and Market a Flourishing Private Practice, 2nd Edition;” “Too Busy Earning a Living to Make Your Fortune? Discover the Psychology of Achieving Your Life Goals;” “Overcoming Your Negotiaphobia: Negotiating Your Way Through Life.;” and “Love Your Child More Than You Hate Your Ex; What Every Divorced Parent Needs to Know.” His contact information is: 602-418-8161; email–LarryWaldmanPhD@cox.net; website–TopPhoenixPsychologist.com.

Originally Published on https://topphoenixpsychologist.com/

Dr. Larry F. Waldman Psychologist-Retired

Dr. Waldman is a recently semi-retired licensed clinical, forensic psychologist in Phoenix, Arizona. He conducted a highly successful private practice of 45 years working with children, teens, parents, couples, and adults in a solution-focused manner. He also consulted with family, personal injury, immigration and estate planning attorneys. His BS in Education/Psychology was from the University of Wisconsin; his MS in School Psychology was at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; his Ph.D. in Educational/School Psychology was earned at Arizona State University; and his Diplomate (ABPP) was received in 2003.

Waldman was the past president of the Maricopa Psychological Society, the Director of Psychological Services for Charter Psychiatric Hospital of Glendale, an “Official Guide” (top expert) on Parenting for SelfGrowth.com and was a Medical Consultant for the Social Security Office in Phoenix. He continues as an adjunct graduate professor in counseling and serves on the professional advisory board of Stepping Stones of Hope, a charitable organization serving children whom have lost a parent. Waldman also was the co-chair of the Early Career Psychologists Committee with the Arizona Psychological Association (AzPA) for five years. He is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a (senior) fitness specialist and is a yoga instructor, certification in process, offering “yoga for seniors.”

In addition to numerous articles which have been published in the local Phoenix media and in the national press, Waldman has (thus far) written seven books: Who’s Raising Whom? Coping with Your Adolescent; How Come I Love Him But Can’t Live with Him? The Graduate Course You Never Had, 2nd Edition; Too Busy Earning a Living to Make Your Fortune? Overcoming Your Negotiaphobia: Negotiating Through Your Life; and Love Your Child More Than You Hate your Ex.

Dr. Waldman trained as a public speaker and has presented for PESI. His signature presentations are: The Business of Private Practice—The Graduate Course You Never Had and Teaching Parents to Parent. He has made over 150 paid presentations in his career to attorneys, chiropractors, psychologists, family therapists, counselors, social workers, school psychologists and school counselors. To the community Waldman speaks on parenting, marriage, stress, depression and anxiety, wellness, grand parenting and psychotherapy. He also is a seasoned podcast guest. His seminars are organized, practical and entertaining—offering “edutainment.”