Bikram Yoga or Gym Membership?

[baker23]

Last month I signed up for Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga), and it kicks butt, but I love it. The first month is unlimited for $30, and after the first month, you have to pay around $150/month; my first month just expired . Now I don't know whether to register for another month ($150) or just go back to the gym ($35).

 

My concern is that beacuse of work and school, and because of yoga class schedule, I would only be able to make it to yoga 3 times per week. Do you think 3 times per week is enough to tone the muscles, or should I just stick to the gym? I'm undecided because I really liked the hot yoga. Suggestions? Ideas?

 

Thank you!

[Ms. Joolie]

I LOVE Bikram yoga. It's my favorite form of exercise and I just don't see how yoga could get any better than Bikram.

 

The Bikram yoga center I go to has a plan where you can buy 10 sessions at a time for 30 days. See if your center has something similar. Also, 10 sessions per month is what the instructor told me was the minimum recommended number for results.

 

I can't wait to go back to Bikram once my membership expires this month at another yoga place. Bikram might be pricier than a gym membership, but there is just no beating it to me. It's a worthwhile investment, and a total mind/body workout. Not only is it a workout, but it's like a meditation for me as well, and completely invigorating. I love it. I can't even compare it to a plain ol' gym workout.

[baker23]

The center close to my house has 25 sessions for $250, and the sessions expire in a year. I was thinking that I could get to yoga 10-12 times a month, and buying the sessions in a bundle would be cheaper than paying a monthly fee. I really love the feeling of accomplishment after 90 min of Bikram.

[TheLoneSock]

A good idea would be to attend yoga classes for a while until you, your body's ligaments, and your muscles can actually do yoga with perfect form and follow along with the class for it's entirety. Once you have become accustomed to yoga and have no problem completing the stretches, maintaining the movements without shaking too much or losing balance, and have the muscular stamina to keep up with the class, then you are no longer new to it.

 

Once you've reached this point by attending the classes, find a program you can use at home. There are many at home yoga programs you can buy and all you need to do them is a mat and a floor in front of your tv. You can even have friends over to join you if you miss the feel of doing it in sync with other people.

 

Get good enough at it to where you can do it on your own by attending the classes, and then continue it with what you've learned at home. Make sure you purchase a program that has many different difficulty levels so that you are always challenging yourself. Doing it at home is not only a huge money saver, but more convenient than doing it at a gym. You only need an instructor for a while anyway.

 

It's no different than having a personal trainer for the first month of a work out routine and then dropping them once you've gotten accustomed to the lifts (most trainers know this). You can always go back for a session or two every few months just to make sure you're keeping in line with your training.

[baker23]

A good idea would be to attend yoga classes for a while until you, your body's ligaments, and your muscles can actually do yoga with perfect form and follow along with the class for it's entirety. Once you have become accustomed to yoga and have no problem completing the stretches, maintaining the movements without shaking too much or losing balance, and have the muscular stamina to keep up with the class, then you are no longer new to it.

 

Once you've reached this point by attending the classes, find a program you can use at home. There are many at home yoga programs you can buy and all you need to do them is a mat and a floor in front of your tv. You can even have friends over to join you if you miss the feel of doing it in sync with other people.

 

Get good enough at it to where you can do it on your own by attending the classes, and then continue it with what you've learned at home. Make sure you purchase a program that has many different difficulty levels so that you are always challenging yourself. Doing it at home is not only a huge money saver, but more convenient than doing it at a gym. You only need an instructor for a while anyway.

 

It's no different than having a personal trainer for the first month of a work out routine and then dropping them once you've gotten accustomed to the lifts (most trainers know this). You can always go back for a session or two every few months just to make sure you're keeping in line with your training.

 

 

I think you are right as far as yoga goes, but this class is done at 105 degrees farenheight (that's is why it is so challenging), and I could probably reach this temperature at home in the summer, but not in the middle of winter. But then again, I need the class to get good at it, then once summer arrives, and I have my own personal sauna (attic apartment, no a/c ), I can do it at home.

[TheLoneSock]

I think you are right as far as yoga goes, but this class is done at 105 degrees farenheight (that's is why it is so challenging), and I could probably reach this temperature at home in the summer, but not in the middle of winter. But then again, I need the class to get good at it, then once summer arrives, and I have my own personal sauna (attic apartment, no a/c ), I can do it at home.

 

Well there you go haha. Just be careful with that. Doing a difficult workout in extreme heat, alone can be risky. Make sure someone knows where you are and what you're doing. You won't have the luxury of passing out in front of a class and instructor (who probably knows at least first aid). Hydrate and know your limits!

[Ms. Joolie]

The center close to my house has 25 sessions for $250, and the sessions expire in a year. I was thinking that I could get to yoga 10-12 times a month, and buying the sessions in a bundle would be cheaper than paying a monthly fee. I really love the feeling of accomplishment after 90 min of Bikram.

 

Truly it is addictive.

 

At $10/class that 25 for $250 package is a good deal. So if you do 10 classes per month, you'd be paying $100/month and getting the benefits of Bikram, and it would save you 50 bucks from the other monthly payment on the unlimited package.

 

Maybe you can start with 25 classes of Bikram. That will last you a couple of months and then you can decide from there.

[allina]

Maybe you can find a gym that offers yoga? It may be difficult to find gym that offers bikram yoga, but most gyms offer some sort of yoga.

 

If you love birkam yoga and don't think you would get as much joy from the gym stick with your yoga studio. You can always go for a run or a hike in addition to your class.

[gopher]

Maybe you can find a gym that offers yoga? It may be difficult to find gym that offers bikram yoga, but most gyms offer some sort of yoga.

 

If you love birkam yoga and don't think you would get as much joy from the gym stick with your yoga studio. You can always go for a run or a hike in addition to your class.

 

My gym offers several types of Yoga, from beginner to gentle to intermediate, plus several styles. I've done them all, and it's very challenging. Plus, there are a ton of other classes, a pool, and tennis. These gyms are out there if you want to pay for them.

[baker23]

Thanks for the advice, I have had gym memberships before, and it was just a hassle of getting there, especially this time of the year with all the new years resolutions, finding parking and then waiting to use the equipment. Now Bikram Yoga, it is something else, I have tried yoga before, but Bikram is extraordinary, and addictive, plus, it is within walking distance.

 

I was talking to my boyfriend, and he said the gym might be way cheaper, but what's the point if you won't go because you enjoy hot yoga better.

 

I think I'll just buy the 25 class bundle, and then take it from there.