Why choosing between workouts doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach

If you’re keen on pursuing a fitness journey that’ll give results but struggle with chalking out an apt enough workout routine, here’s an expert-approved primer

In today’s technologically advanced world, there’s barely any reason left for you to play truant when it comes to your daily workouts. From health and fitness trackers to tutorials on social media platforms, there’s a lot available to assist you at every stage of your fitness journey. In fact, fitness and workouts aren’t simply restricted to a gym anymore. From yoga and pilates studios to aerobics classes and specialised functional training spaces that offer customised plans, such as Mumbai-based The Tribe and The Space, one certainly has access to a myriad of options. Simply put, there’s very little scope left to get “bored” of working out.

Combine the proliferation of these forms of workout with the health- and wellness-first approach that people adopted during and after the Coronavirus pandemic, and you’ll understand why fitness has picked up pace in India. Today, 1 out of 2 Indians have consciously increased the amount of time invested in sweating it out. As a result, the fitness industry in the country is poised to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.07 per cent, leading to a projected market value of US$57.59 million by 2027, from US$43.89 million in 2022, reveals a Statista report. Having that said, it is also true that fitness enthusiasts are left perplexed and overwhelmed. Narrowing down on a specific workout plan that ticks all the boxes can seem challenging, perhaps because the difference between the various forms of workouts remains ambiguous. 

We speak to the three fitness experts on the intricacies of the particular form of workout that they specialise in, plus sound off the variances between each of them.

Back to basics 

Freehand forms of workouts like yoga, pilates and functional training–and the results they potentially deliver–can confound most of us, making it difficult to choose the most suitable option. Celebrity pilates trainer Namrata Purohit says, “Pilates is a mind-and-body form of exercise that works the entire body inside out. It focuses on core strength, overall strength, flexibility, endurance, balance and stability.” Yoga, on the other hand, as celebrity yoga and holistic wellness expert Anshuka Parwani believes, is the union of the mind, body and soul. “It is a system of practices with asanas for exercise, breathwork and pranayama for your meditation. It gives you control of your breath and emotions. It’s a lifestyle embodying all the eight limbs of yoga.” Yoga and pilates, therefore, emerge as holistic alternatives to monotonously gymming every day.

Functional training hits a sweet spot between something as free-flowing as yoga/pilates and as strenuous as weight training. According to Robin Behl, co-founder of fitness studio The Tribe, it is the kind of exertion that will help you ease your daily activities as “it includes functional movements, and how you use your speed and strength; it is a marker for those who are not in the fitness profession, but rather, want to boost their health quotient,” he says. “It can be based on how efficient you are in your daily activities, whether it is picking up groceries or fixing a flat tyre,” he adds.

Differentiating one workout from another 

You might wonder if there’s verily any operational distinction between how your core, limbs and shanks get worked up when you’re practising yoga, performing pilates and sweating it out through burpees. However, the experts believe that besides the difference in how these workouts make your body feel, they also differ in the mental and emotional stimulation they generate.

Parwani prompts us to factor in the holistic benefits of yoga, that soar beyond just fitness. “This is the only repertoire of movement where one is solely connected internally. It is not just about looking good but also feeling good, checking in and being present in the now. There is an understanding and acceptance of where you are and your hormones being balanced.” Some weight loss, muscle gain and looking and feeling better are a few spin-offs of the practice. 

While mastering your breathwork and slowing down are the fundamentals of yoga, pilates teaches one to engage their muscles correctly and move the body in the right way, which also allows one to learn how to connect the mind, body and soul, shares Purohit. Even though pilates seems to be complicated, owing to the equipment involved, it can be safely performed by almost anybody. “Pilates can be customised to suit various needs, including people with osteoporosis, arthritis, slipped discs and other health conditions. It is also customised for pregnant women and sportspersons from various fields.” Plus, pilates gives you the benefits of yoga as well as weight training since it equips you to stimulate the deep stabilisers as well as superficial muscles of your body, furthers Purohit. “As it is injury-proof and joint-friendly, it not only helps recover from injuries but also helps prevent injuries.” 

While customisation and universal-friendliness advance as the top two characteristics of pilates, in the case of functional training, the mind-muscle-body connections that you build, pass as the winning factor. “It rewires the systems and creates a new purpose for training. If you opt for functional training even thrice a week, you will notice rapid changes in your body, including increased productivity, feeling energised throughout the day and being able to concentrate more on strenuous tasks,” shares Behl. Perhaps, functional training is not only a great option for those with a holistic fitness-first approach, but also for beginners, considering the vigour and stamina it demands plus the productivity-boosting benefits it renders. 

Do you really need to choose one?

“It is important to understand your body type, your goals and needs and also try a few different workout regimes to gauge your interest,” says Purohit, who believes that the only workout routine you’ll end up sticking to is the one that you genuinely enjoy and feel motivated to follow regularly. “Exercise shouldn’t stress you, it should make you feel good. And, the one that does so, is the one for you,” she adds. Parwani, meanwhile, emphasises biohacking (a DIY approach towards your health and well-being) your own body.

“Figure out what gives you a sense of the body, soul and mind connection,” says Parwani. If you’re a woman who is fervent about a workout regime that comprises a mix of forms, she highlights the significance of cycle-syncing. “Through your menstrual cycle, it’s easier to tell when and what you should be doing, whether it’s HIIT or strength training or yoga,” she adds. 

If the enhancement of mental and spiritual health is your primary focus, the benefits of yoga are unmatched. “Holistically, yoga keeps you calm, balanced and tuned in. If your goal is to build more muscle, for instance, do a strength-based workout. You don’t need to give yoga a miss for you can tweak your regime; there are so many hybrid ways of practising the asanas and breathwork that you can make it into an HIIT, cardiovascular or functional training class,” says Parwani. 

Behl believes that every form of movement has its own benefits, and cannot be compared to another. “Always, always seek advice from a professional, and get a consultation done first. Post-guidance, you can explore your options and then take a call as to what makes you strive for feeling better and decide upon it,” he concludes.

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