TrainAmazing

I feel like this is not what I’m supposed to say as a male fitness trainer. It’s something I keep in and haven’t told anyone about. Because all the hard-hitting, heavy lifting burly individuals in my field might think less of me…

So here it goes…

Every day, my interest in muscle growth declines as my interest in mobility and elasticity grows. In plain terms, if you put me on an island and said I can only pick one exercise modality: weights or yoga? I would choose the latter instantly.

I say that, fully accepting that my muscles might not be quite as showy. But on the other hand, my diet is always on point so they show anyway.

But…

“You won’t be able to pick up as heavy objects.” True. But my joints will probably last much longer.

“You won’t be able to protect your loved ones.” Hmm, well I’ll be more fluid with my combat sports technique, more range of motion, faster and less prone to injury.

Having said all that, yoga is absolutely a form of strength training. The type of coordination involved, flexibility, work against gravity, and isolation of muscle groups by activating stabilizer groups- all of these together make a very complete program.

Furthermore, in my own experience as well as testimony from clients, bodyweight exercise is actually more difficult than using weights. I’m still trying to figure out why that is. I haven’t quite wrapped my head around it yet. But it’s true. Don’t take my word for it. Try it out. I would argue it actually takes a very tough person to endure the type of discomfort that stretching and bodyweight exercise incorporates.

Maybe it is a sexism thing. People think yoga is mostly for women or the ‘soft-wristed.’ But trust me your wrists will get extremely strong. And being in touch with your body is the manliest thing you can do.

I think aggro culture which encourages men to ignore their bodies so they can just produce more work is actually harmful to all, especially men.

Maybe the practice of yoga is majority-populated by women because culturally, women are more accepted to be in tune with their bodies.

That’s b.s. to me. We all have that right. The human body is incredible and since delving more into the study of anatomy, I find it harder to overlook the miracle of inner-workings just below the surface of the skin.