Integrating  Yoga into a Tri Training  Program

Scheduling workouts in three sports can be a challenge. The addition of yoga and strength training can make things even more complicated! However, it can and should be done! The addition of yoga to your program will make you a better athlete by enhancing aerobic capacity & endurance as well as strengthening you both physically and mentally.

Practicing yoga postures will stretch tight muscles and encourage the use of your full range of motion. A tight muscle is more prone to injuries such as strains and tears. Yoga will aid to loosen tight muscles as well as train the muscles and tendons to stabilize the joints and will help prevent repetitive-use injuries all too common in endurance athletes. Stretching will also elongate your muscle fibers as well as help your body process lactate after exercise which improves muscle oxygenation. Many of the poses in yoga, such as the standing balance poses strengthens your core and the small stabilizing muscles of the lower legs and at the same time stretches the hip muscles. The direct benefit of all this is more power and fluidity in all sports.

Guidelines to working a yoga practice into your training week are, take a vigorous yoga class when other training is somewhat light. Plan a gentle yoga practice on rest days or on the same day as a harder or breakthrough workout. You can also maximize a short yoga practice after a workout when your body is already warm. How many yoga sessions should you schedule in a week? As many as you like!

Balance Chestnut Hill offers classes to compliment your tri training schedule. Some suggestions are try a yoga-lite class after a breakthrough workout. Take a cycling class and follow with an inner strength class. Check our schedule for specific class days and times. Balance is offering one complimentary inner strength or circuit training class to SheRox participants.