The Main Event: The Benefits of Yoga For Men
Many men of
all ages, shapes, and sizes live by the mantra of hitting the gym, lifting, and
going home. For years I did this same
thing. My mindset began to change when I
took a liking to running. My legs would
take a beating from hundreds of miles of constant pounding. In addition to learning my own proper running
form I started to understand the benefits of stretching. Static stretches, particularly those working
on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, became a part of my routine.
I had
dabbled in yoga on my own at home, even purchasing The
Yoga Deck by Olivia Miller. I had
never taken it too seriously though as I had believed that my own stretching on
my own was all I needed. However it was
not until I took a chance and actually went to a yoga class that I learned just
how beneficial the practice was.
There are
many reasons I could give as to why men should incorporate yoga into their
fitness routines. It increases range of
motion, it strengthens your stabilizer muscles, it helps your breathing by
focusing on it, and maybe most importantly it strengthens your mind through the
practice. Those reasons should be enough
for any man to at least give it a try.¹
I tried my
hand at hot power yoga. This was a 90-minute class where the temperature was
set at a balmy 90-degrees. Anyone who
thinks that yoga is easy, or just something that ladies do, needs to spend a
few minutes attempting some of the poses in the heat. I was pouring sweat within minutes. After a few consecutive poses like Warrior
II, Chair Pose, and Triangle Pose I was begging for the Downward Dog pose which
is considered ‘rest.’
By the time
class ended I was a puddle and my muscles felt like noodles. It was one of the most difficult workouts I
had ever done, and I loved every moment of it.
After a few more classes with the amazing Chrissy Petrillo instructing I began to notice little things like increased
flexibility as well as less muscle pain from running. Since then it has become a part of my
routine, even if I do not attend a class I have learned what poses help my body
recover and strengthen through specific types of workouts.
Those men
who have tried yoga know what I am talking about when it comes to these
benefits. Those who are still skeptical
go and give it at least one try. What
have you got to lose?
Source Cited: Bodybuilding.com - 6 Reasons Why Men Should Do Yoga
Workout Song of the Day: Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
Buy It On iTunes: Coldplay - Adventure Of A Lifetime
Snack of the Day: Halo
Top Ice Cream. For so many people
sticking to a diet means giving up some sort of treat that they love. One such treat is likely to be ice
cream. However that is a thing of the
past thanks to Halo Top. The folks at Halo Top use stevia and another natural sweetener known as Erythritol in
place of sugar. In comparison per
serving Halo Top’s vanilla ice cream
has 60 calories compared to 250 for both Ben
& Jerry’s and Haagen Dazs. As far as fat content, per serving, Halo Top’s vanilla has 2 grams of fat
compared to 16 grams for Ben & Jerry’s and 17 grams for Haagen Dazs. If it is ice cream you’re craving Halo Top comes to the rescue. It is readily available in 17 delicious
flavors at Whole Foods. Halo Top.com
Did You Know?: According to Very Well.com those who hold on to
the side rails while walking on a treadmill burn 20-25% fewer calories than
those who do not. Very Well.com
Working With Clients: At the gym where I train, MidCape Athletic Club, a high percentage
of the clientele are active seniors. The
majority of them, when I ask them what their goals are as far as fitness goes,
tell me that it is to make the activities of daily life easier. One such way to do this is to improve their
grip strength. A stronger grip
contributes to an overall stronger body.
Over half of the muscles in the body are designed to help you lift
things and carry things.¹
When it
comes to daily life for seniors it is easy to see why a strong grip is
beneficial. It helps with tasks such as
opening a jar or even getting up out of a chair. Although there are hand grip strengtheners
you squeeze I have found a different prop that has contributed greatly to
improving the grip strength of several of my clients, and that is a toning
ball.
A
toning ball is a soft weighted ball usually reserved for Pilates and can weigh
anywhere from 1-lb to more than 5-lbs. I
have used 2-lb balls for my clients and have led them through a variety of exercises
including reverse bicep curls and front and side deltoid raises. The key is that the individual in order to
complete the motion must maintain their grip on the ball. This not only works the muscles but also
strengthens the grip at the same time.
A
highlight for me was having my client Dottie, who is over 70, tell me that her
arthritis pain had all but subsided after several sessions with the toning
balls. I highly recommend if you have
access to them to use that for any aged client to help with grip strength.
I found a good deal on toning
balls here: Yoga Accessories.com
Sources Cited:Shapefit.com - Grip Training Benefits
Inspirational
Quote: “If you can't fly then run, if you
can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have
to keep moving forward.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
About Me: I am a World
Instructor Training School (W.I.T.S.) Certified Personal Trainer living on Cape
Cod, Massachusetts. I am an avid runner with forty races under my belt from
5K’s to marathons. My goal is to share
my experiences and love of fitness with as many people as possible whether
through this blog or through training. I
would love to chat via email at ChristopherSetterlund@gmail.com.
If there are any questions, or topics you would like to see
covered in future posts please contact me.
If you would like to train with me I am currently plying my trade at
Mid-Cape Athletic Club. You may call them to inquire about an appointment at
508-394-3511, visit them online at Midcapeathletic.com, or visit their club at
193 Whites Path in South Yarmouth, MA.
Read My Previous Post Here: Volume I, Issue I - An Introduction
Read My Previous Post Here: Volume I, Issue I - An Introduction
