Yoga and other forms of exercise each have their own benefits for building strength. While traditional strength training exercises like weightlifting and resistance training are known for targeting specific muscle groups and increasing muscle mass, yoga also offers a unique approach to building strength.

In yoga, practitioners engage in various poses that require them to support their own body weight, leading to increased strength in both large and small muscle groups. For example, holding a plank pose or performing a series of chaturangas can significantly strengthen the core, arms, and shoulders. Additionally, yoga incorporates isometric contractions, which involve holding a muscle in a static position, leading to improved muscle endurance and strength.

Furthermore, yoga emphasizes flexibility and balance, which are essential components of overall strength. By improving flexibility, individuals can achieve a wider range of motion, allowing for more effective strength training in other forms of exercise. Enhanced balance also contributes to stability and muscle coordination, which are important for preventing injuries and maximizing strength gains.

In contrast, traditional strength training exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses primarily focus on building muscle mass and raw strength. These exercises often target specific muscle groups and are designed to progressively overload the muscles, leading to hypertrophy and increased strength over time.

In conclusion, both yoga and traditional forms of exercise have their own unique contributions to building strength. While yoga emphasizes bodyweight exercises, isometric contractions, flexibility, and balance, traditional strength training focuses on muscle mass and raw strength. Incorporating a combination of both yoga and traditional strength training exercises can provide a well-rounded approach to building overall strength and improving physical fitness.

References:

• Polsgrove MJ, Eggleston BM, Lockyer RJ. Impact of 10-weeks of yoga practice on flexibility and balance of college athletes. Int J Yoga. 2016;9(1):27-34. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.171710
• Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and Hypertrophy Adaptations Between Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Dec;31(12):3508-3523. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002200.