This month we have talked a lot about regular yoga practice, the various types like Yin yoga and dynamic stretching. This article answers the question: “Should you do yoga before or after a workout?” While some styles of yoga are a workout in and of themselves, you can prepare sequences that are perfect to mix into your daily routine, before or after a workout. You can use certain yoga poses to prepare for an HIIT workout and other yoga poses to cool down after your workout.
After A Workout
Yoga for static stretching is best done after a workout, particularly after using circuit training equipment. This is because you can target all of the areas you just used with a yoga pose and really stretch all of the muscles that you just worked. This will help you to recover faster, cool down, and can also aid in bringing your heart rate back down in order to make you mindful again. This is great especially if you have trouble sleeping after a workout!
Before A Workout
Though yoga does seem to be more beneficial after a workout, or as it’s own workout, you can also use it as a warm-up! In order to take advantage of yoga before a workout, make sure that you are using dynamic stretching like the ones in the video below and not poses like Shavasana which will be more likely to make you want to snooze than to take on the treadmill. Dynamic stretching gets your heart pumping and warm up your muscles, preparing you for the workout ahead.
As A Workout
Check out the video below for a sequence that you can use before a workout routine, after a workout, or even as its own workout routine! All you have to do is continue the poses for a little longer and this little video can take over a whole workout session. Does yoga build muscle? Some yoga techniques do help in building strong muscles, particularly your core abdominal muscles.
Do you love practicing yoga? Let us know your favorite form of practice in the comments below!
Reviewed By:
Ani is the Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group fitness and team training departments. She’s had a 25+ year career in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, CA and loves hot yoga, snowboarding and all things wellness.
Sources:
- “Yoga Before Or After Workout: When Is Zenning Out More Beneficial?” Better Me. Updated December 30, 2021. https://betterme.world/articles/yoga-before-or-after-workout/
- “Should you practice yoga before or after a workout?” EOS Fitness. 22 April, 2021. https://eosfitness.com/blog/yoga-before-or-after-a-workout/
- Isaac, Robertson. “Yoga Before Or After a Workout? (Which is Better).” Total Shape. 1 November, 2021. https://totalshape.com/fitness/yoga-before-or-after-a-workout/
- Torres, Abel. “Is Yoga Better Before or After Workout?” Fitness Life Advisor. https://fitnesslifeadvisor.com/is-yoga-better-before-or-after-workout/