So…I know quite a few people in the fitness industry, as well as many more who simply lead active and healthy lifestyles.  They all pride themselves on eating healthy, working out regularly, and staying active.  What continually shocks me however, is the number of guys in this large group of people who refuse to practice yoga.  They write it off as “girly”, or simply “a waste of time”. 

Consensus seems to be that they think it’s not enough of a workout to warrant their time.  Depending on your goals, yoga alone may not get you to where you want to be.  But, when combined with a weight training and/or cardio program, yoga is a fantastic supplement.  For one, yoga is great at increasing flexibility and lengthening the body.  Let me quickly ask you something; which muscle is stronger (and able to lift more weight)?  The short, compact, tight muscle, or the flexible, long, muscle?  Answer: The flexible, long muscle.  Adding flexibility training to your routine WILL increase your strength gains in the gym.  This is a fantastic reason to add a practice like yoga to your overall routine. 

Many guys think yoga is all about sitting, breathing, and holding poses.  There are so many varieties of yoga out there, it’s hard not to find something that is suitable for your goals.  Many forms of yoga are downright hard and require a very fit body to make it through an advanced level class.  Working your way up the different class levels is a great way to continue to push yourself.  Yoga doesn’t have to be all about meditating, working on breathing techniques, and sitting in one position for long periods of time.  Yoga is highly versatile.

Unless you are one of those juiced out meatheads who simply work on his beach muscles, you probably work out to get your entire body more fit than it was.  Sure, there will always be a cosmetic aspect to working out; I’m not saying there is anything wrong with this.  Everyone wants to look good.  But ask yourself, what really looks better?  The orange-skinned juicehead with 17 inch biceps, or the Olympic triathlete?  A program that builds muscle and tones your entire body is going to make you look like an athlete, not a guerilla.  Yoga will help bring a component to your overall routine that helps you achieve the athletic look, not the primate look.

Want one more reason to do yoga?  Yoga girls are hot.  Not only that, yoga classes are almost entirely made up of women.  Studies show 72% of all individuals who practice yoga regularly are women. Think you’re going to find a ratio that good anywhere else?  I don’t think so.  So, not only are you going to get a solid workout for yourself, you’re going to surround yourself with hordes of hot, fit, women who are probably looking at you because you’re the only guy in their yoga class.  If this isn’t win-win, I don’t know what is.

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Matt

Co-Founder at Share It Fitness

Matt has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years and has worked with, and helped countless individuals improve their lives. After college, Matt started his fitness career working in the trenches as a personal trainer for a big corporate gym. It was here he saw how impersonal Big Fitness really was. Clients weren't people, they were just sales waiting to be made. After branching out and starting his own personal training business in San Diego, Matt soon developed the idea of Share It Fitness and started our (now highly successful) blog. A fitness junkie himself, Matt knows the importance of incorporating exercise into your life. When he isn't working at Share It Fitness, you can find Matt running, biking, taking yoga, or pumping iron around San Diego.

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