Gym Darwin Fitness Classes & Best Options

Can I do gym and yoga together?

Students often ask me this about doing yoga and gym together. They may mean concurrently, in the same day, or week. Sometimes, they even mean on the same day, such as gym in the morning, and yoga in the afternoon. At other times, they also mean going to the gym, and then doing a yoga class, right away, or the other way around. So here are some quick points on the issue to consider.

Can I do gym and yoga together?

• It’s OK to do yoga and gym together, or concurrently.
• But, don’t do them right after each other.
• So, leave at least a few hours space after gym, before doing yoga.
• That’s because gym winds up your nervous system, and tires you out.
• When you get to yoga, you want to be rested, because yoga is also often quite intense.
• In contrast, with yoga, you also learn to balance both parts of your nervous system.
• So, if you’re exhausted, you won’t get the best “rest and digest”, that yoga is also rightly famous for.
• In addition, gym contracts and shortens your muscles, so hamstrings etc will get shorter, than by just doing yoga.
• Plus, areas such as your neck, and hips, and more, will get stiffer (via tight muscles build up).
• Yoga still builds strength & fitness, via longer, leaner muscles.
• In gym, you’re usually just focusing on strengthening.
• But in yoga, you work on strength, balance, stretching, mindfulness, and more.
• With gym, your parasympathetic nervous system, which impacts calming, also gets less attention.
• So, if you’re doing gym and yoga together, work even more at stretching, and calming.

Last, whatever else you do, make sure that you’re doing enough high quality yoga, so as to get the mix of benefits summarised in the image below.

That usually means doing your yoga at a specialised studio like Flametree, where the accredited Senior Yoga Teacher, has over 12,000 hours of training as a teacher. Get the advantage of the experience, knowledge and skills of such teachers.

Don’t miss the many benefits of a studio specialising in yoga

If you’re considering: “Can I do gym and yoga together?”, then also take into account the very wide range of benefits that yoga delivers. Whatever else you do, don’t miss out on getting these many benefits.

 Gym workouts or a yoga session?

If you’re wondering about questions like “Can I do gym and yoga together?”, then muscle strength, and muscle mass are certainly important.

But, when you consider the best way to do a workout routine, then also consider what you can get from regular yoga.

Some of the important benefits to ensure you get from high quality yoga are:

• mind-body connection
• minimising the risk of injury
• maximising blood flow to important area like the pelvis, and all it contains
• building body awareness
• ​improving mental health
• using at least some flow classes so as to include a fitness routine
• weight loss, via cutting stress, and increasing mindfulness
• building a better range of motion via yoga postures
• reducing or managing blood pressure
• decreasing muscle tension via using the correct yoga pose sequences
• improving lung capacity via an erect posture
• numerous other proven health benefits as listed by Dr McCall.

​As mentioned above, too much weight lifting, or weight training, and other such intense workouts, often overlook muscle flexibility.

​So while that type of exercise is a great way to bulk up, it’s not the best type of exercise for the wider range of body benefits listed above.

For best results, or better results, Flametree recommends that you at least do a balanced type of workout to build both strength and flexibility.

So, a yoga routine, and dedicated yoga practice, should be a key part of your specific goals.

Best fitness centre?

So, if you’re looking for the best gym or yoga studio, then there is a range of things to consider, including what we’ve mentioned.

Add what we’ve said to thinking about:

• cardio equipment and what it can or can’t do for you
• change rooms and bathrooms
• central location, and otherwise across Darwin
• how many group classes they offer
• spacious room, including monitored ventilation (Yes, Flametree does).
• air conditioning. (Yes, Flametree is).
• a friendly environment. (Yes, Flametree is.)

Feel free to ask for more details of anything we’ve discussed.

Flametree Darwin fitness philosophy

For prospective customers, here’s more on what to consider if you’re looking for a new gym or yoga studio.

Especially, if it’s your first time at more activity, Flametree recommends you take a gradual approach, in a controlled environment. By that we mean a good quality yoga class, online or in-studio, with a specialist and experienced yoga fitness teacher.

​Then, develop your personal programs for fitness and health, making use of the yoga instructor’s in-depth knowledge of fitness and yoga, and the type of classes you need.

​Among other things, you’re unlikely to need one-on-one personal training beyond what a good yoga class can provide.

So, you can save on the cost of a personal training fitness studio, or larger memberships you’ll probably pay for larger gym facilities.

The Flametree Darwin fitness lead trainer (Chris Lalor), who has 30 years of experience, can also advise you on issues such as:

• ​senior fitness programs (if relevant to you)
• exercise goals
• any yoga or gym equipment you may want for online yoga classes
• other aspects of a fit lifestyle, such as how to develop mindful eating.

Chat to her before or after a yoga class, or get in touch via the CHAT button on this page.

Gym and yoga questions, answered

Can I do gym and yoga together?

Yes. Many people do both. Leave a few hours between a gym session and a yoga class, so you arrive rested. Yoga asks you to settle your breath and attention, and that is harder when you are tired. On gym days, give a little extra time to stretching and calming.

Can yoga be a proper fitness class?

Yes. Flametree classes use lunges and standing poses that lift your heart rate, and they build strength, balance and flexibility in the same hour. The sequences change from class to class, so they stay interesting and the time passes quickly.

How much do yoga fitness classes cost in Darwin?

The beginner pack is $59.50 for 12 classes (10 at half price plus 2 free), with a 14-day money-back guarantee. The non-beginner pack is $104.50, with no code needed. Both can be used in the studios or live online.

Do I need to be fit or flexible to start?

No. You do not need to be flexible to start. The introductory classes suit all ages, genders and fitness levels, and your teacher shows you how to adapt each pose to your body.

Where can I do yoga fitness classes in Darwin?

Our main studios are at Woolner and Coolalinga, and every class can also be joined live online. The Woolner studio is about 3 km from the Darwin city centre. The beginner timetable shows what is on each week.

What equipment is there at the Woolner studio?

The Woolner studio has the widest range, including its own version of monkey bars, aerial yoga slings, a functional training area and free weights. All the props you need for yoga are supplied at every studio.

Do I need a personal trainer as well?

Not for yoga. Your teacher gives you one-to-one guidance during class and in a chat before or after. Chris Lalor, Flametree’s lead teacher, has 30 years of experience and can also talk through your exercise goals.

So, try the best yoga fitness classes any Darwin gym has.

Plus, use the orange links to get the best deals of any gyms in Darwin.