Yoga versus Gym | The Differences and Benefits

Yoga has been popular among health enthusiasts in recent years.

Even sportspersons and army personnel practice it to relieve stress and modulate the mind.

Besides, the sudden rise in incidences of cardiac arrests during Gym and other workouts has led to a growing fear and suspicion about gyms and other aerobics. So many people look at yoga as a safer alternative.

My long-term friends suffering from serious diseases like hemophilia and hypothyroidism lead better lives due to regular yoga practice by referring to books like the light on Yoga.

So, my discussion might seem biased, but being a pharmacist, I will try to decode the Yoga Vs. Gym in a scientific and health-based approach.

Yoga vs. Gym! Which is better?

There are pros and cons of both yoga and gym.

Both are aimed at different purposes and designed with careful thought and analysis.

But they both can provide better health and physical fitness if practiced carefully.

Elbow stand: A Yoga pose, best for diseases of the heart, thyroid, piles, and mood.

Gym and Aerobics

Physical exercises like Gym, aerobics, swimming, jogging, etc., put the body to rigorous work and even strain.

In doing so, they help burn out calories fast and bring flexibility to both body movements.

Even a child tends to go through these exercises as they seem to have fun.

But they are designed mainly with an aim for physical health.

Yoga

These are self-controlled stretching poses developed by the ancient Hindu saints to maintain health and perseverance in pursuit of their spiritual goals.

These saints used to stay in strict meditation or silence for days together, leading a secluded and sedentary lifestyle.

So, by practicing Yoga, they could keep their body and mind fit without dependency on external factors or resources.

Human adaptation.

Until the past few decades, many relied on gym or aerobics for better health.

But, due to the rise in the current lifestyle of staying indoors and working on computers for long hours, many find yoga suitable for better health and fitness.

It helps one control the fickle mind, regulate emotions, and bring flexibility to the body.

Further, it helps one stay focused on one’s goals in life.

Benefits of the Gym and other exercises

Athletic, sweating with a barbell in the Gym.

1. These workouts enhance circulation, nourish deeper tissues, and keep the muscles fit.

2. They also relieve mental stress and help body muscles develop stress resistance.

3. One sweats a lot due to increased heat generation, thereby helping expel toxins through the skin. This might reduce the burden on the kidneys.

4. Enhances the appetite and helps one consume more food.

5. It also helps lose weight as excess calories are burnt fast.

Benefits of Yoga

1. It makes you active and keeps you busy the whole day.

2. Helps you eliminate disorders like back pain, piles, heart problems, and more.

3. Improves circulation, leading to nutrition supply to the whole body and removing toxins.

4. improves bowel movement to relieve constipation.

5. Keeps one cheerful and stress-free and resistant to stress-causing factors.

6. Gives control over the body and the mind. Thereby minimizing the chances of diseases and disorders.

7. It is easy to do at home, in the garden, or rooftop. There is no need to go to a distance workout place.

Since most develop diseases due to mental stress and emotional suffering, yoga seems better as it helps them overcome mental stress and attain inherent peace.

Thus, Yoga burns out calories and helps regulate the mind.

Even the body functions like excretion, digestion, and blood flow are regularized, and the thought flow of the mind is stabilized.

Further, those suffering from chronic health issues like hemophilia, asthma, sleep disorders, heart problems, etc., can keep those conditions under control through Yoga.

The differences in Yoga versus Gym!

1. The process

The primary difference is in how these two methods subject the body to attain fitness.

There is intense physical and mental agitation in exercises like jogging, gymnasium, swimming, etc.

The blood flow, heart rate, respiration rate, etc., are exited intensely and then allowed to settle down to normal.

Exercise is best to help the body overcome inertia and muscle sluggishness.

In the case of the Gym, there is a growth of muscle tissue, enabling one to have the desired physical shape.

Food intake and appetite are raised to build up the body. Like in games and sports, after the rigorous Gym, one gets a sound sleep and develops a fit body.

2. Mental control

Yoga’s focus is to regulate the entire body’s mechanism. It uses minor physical strain with a concentration on the different body regions and positions with enhanced mind control over them.

This way, even mental concentration is enhanced, and the thought process can be controlled.

It has been found that Yoga is best for the treatment of many psychological disorders like anxiety, depression, stress, etc. It helps one overcome addictions even. Even the life span is believed to rise.

3. Enhances the lifespan

Physiologically, there is some correlation between respiration rate and life span.

It is believed that smaller animals, like rodents, dogs, etc., have faster breath, i.e., their rate of respiration for a minute is higher than humans.

This higher respiration rate consumes more oxygen and more mitochondrial involvement.

Mitochondrial life is fixed in terms of the number of cycles of oxygen intake.

So the more times intake, the faster the decline in mitochondria number.

Hence, the faster the mitochondrial death and, therefore, the body cells.

4. Regulating metabolism

In Yoga, the breathing rate is controlled, thereby regulating the metabolism.

Besides, the processes like excretion, circulation, and gut transit are enhanced, helping in cleansing the body.

“Yoga believes that the mind controls the body’s health. Since the nervous system controls entire human body functions, this Yoga concept seems right.”

DifferencesYogaGym
MotiveTo practice it, one requires willpower or fear of disease control.A desire for good health and a physical outlook is needed.
CostLess expensive as there are minimal accessories required for Yoga. One may need only a Yoga mat.It can be pretty expensive as one needs a gym facility and a trainer. At home, one can try some gym equipment. But some cost is involved.
Trainer requirementOne may need an initial trainer for complicated yoga poses. But for regular poses, one can follow a yoga book or video demo.The Gym needs the guidance of a fitness expert for every stage of body change or bodybuilding.
RelaxationIn between yoga postures, there are regular relaxation postures for the body to relieve itself.Mostly, relaxation is neglected.
Energy centersYoga poses help to awaken and activate chakras, which are energy centers in the body.Yoga poses help to awaken and activate chakras, which are energy centers in the body.
Age groupsSuitable for people of all age groupsIt is not advisable for people of old age and those suffering from heart and spinal problems, high blood pressure, etc.
Diet effectsA typical regular diet can be taken.Extra additions like protein supplements and oral rehydration salts may be needed to support the body.
Treatment disordersSpecific disorders can be treated. Disorders due to sedentary life can be relieved.
Adverse effectsMinimal chances of withdrawal effects due to yoga discontinuance.
Also, wherever you go, you need some time to do it.
However, some asanas can create problems if you lack t he guidance or patience to practice.
Good chances of withdrawal effects can be seen.
The body may soon lose its tone once you stop going to the Gym. There might be body pains and soreness of muscles in the beginning.
Again, if you have broken due to work, you will feel pains or uneasiness.
Place of ActivityOne can do it from home, even during travel and any other place.It requires a gym, so it can’t be done unless the proper place and accessories are available.
StrainOne is less tired of Yoga. Even they would feel energetic the whole day. Heavy tiredness after Gym, dehydration, exhaustion.
MindsetYoga keeps you fresh, energetic, and pleasantKeep you healthy, stiff, and active.
InterestIt might be uninteresting to youthIt is interesting for kids and youth as a fantasy for building a body.

So we can see that by Yoga, body physiology is brought under one’s control to a greater extent.

While in exercise, the control is there but to a smaller extent. But to build up your muscles, you must rely on the Gym. 

So how should you choose them?

Based on the physiological needs of youngsters, athletes, actors, and bodybuilders concerned with physical growth, the Gym may be the best fit.

But for senior citizens, women after delivery, middle-aged, youngsters, and sportspeople to reduce mental stress better with Yoga.

Both Yoga and workouts are needed for those who work by sitting for long hours.

When we work for a long time sitting, there will be problems due to low physical activity and also high mental activity.

Physical workouts like walking, Gym, swimming, and jogging help burn excess calories quickly. In comparison, Yoga and meditation will help with mental health.

Further, they decrease the propensity for high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, muscle pains, etc.

But besides the above, Yoga helps relieve stress and overcome anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.

So to decide which suits you better, take each of them for a week or at least a fortnight and test.

But, those with anxiety and a fickle mind can opt for Yoga as a better physical exercise. In contrast, those who desire better body shape and mass can go to the Gym.

Also, one must remember that not all of us are suitable for the Gym or Yoga.

Those with an active mind and intellectual work can benefit from the Gym because burning physical calories will help them have a stable mind.

But, if you have sufficient time and desire for a calm mind, Yoga is the best option.

It has clear-cut instructions to practice and specific yoga methods to overcome various disease conditions.

If not, you practice aerobics with specific mobile apps and even go to a gym for physical workouts.

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Leave a comment

  1. Yoga is suitable for all ages, young or old, harmless.in anybody condition, healthy or suffering from a chronic ailment.
    Yoga you do not need anyone after learning you can carry on.
    Yoga is very beneficial provided you follow the proper technique, timing and belief, and continuity.
    Cost-free. you only need a Yoga Mat and do anywhere but have fresh air.
    Yoga is a holistic therapy for Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and emotional harmony

    Reply
  2. If you truly think there are minimal chances of withdrawal feelings from not doing regular yoga, you have clearly never done yoga regularly or you don’t know people who do. It is every bit as addictive as gym exercise!

    Old people DO benefit from gym exercise, they just need to be MINDFUL in their workouts and what they do. Being mindful is not the same as being scared or careful or tentative.

    I’ve never worked out at the gym in order to be tired afterward.

    Much gym work can be done withou special equipment. Ever heard of jumping jacks or race walking or using household items as weights?

    You need to do some more research. This article is full of misinformation.

    Reply
    • @Nptexas! We value your opinion and lets see what others think. But withdrawal from yoga is not so serious and intolerable like gym. I practice yoga on daily basis and it is true you have some discomfort for missing it a day or two. But it is not painful enough nor you will loose your shape like when you drop your gym routines.

      Reply

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