To Bikram or not to Bikram..

SparkPoints: (2,774)
Fitness Minutes: (2,441)
Posts: 723
6/7/12 3:27 P

Bikram doesn't burn any more calories than the same length of Vinyasa or Power yoga class will. And furthermore... Bikram is not for everyone. If you enjoy it, do it, but if you prefer doing yoga in a cooler room it will burn the same calories, without running the risk of dehydrating you or making you feel dizzy/faint.

As for myself, I've tried it a few times, and it was okay, but I prefer doing yoga in a normal temperature room. I do Vinyasa yoga about twice a week.

SparkPoints: (34,005)
Fitness Minutes: (67,171)
Posts: 3,628
6/7/12 11:52 A

This questions of calorie burn for Bikram comes up now and again. The extremely high reported calorie burn is often found on Bikram related sites, but not supported by others, and I have never seen any research that supports it; except, perhaps people doing it who say they used their heart rate monitor and they burn way more calories. The problem with this is that the heart rate is increased to deal with cooling the body, not due to the physical exercise.

Heart Rate calculations for calorie burn need to meet the expectations of the underlying math, and these are typically related to the heart rate increase being based on cardio activites such as running and biking. As we move away from these types of activities the reliability of the estimates goes down.

My clearest example is that of Riding a rollercoaster. This will raise the heart rate, but it does not burn any more calories than any other sitting.

current weight: 160.0

244 220.5 197 173.5

150

SparkPoints: (31,434)
Fitness Minutes: (14,736)
Posts: 467
6/7/12 9:44 A

I like to go once a week or so, but I don't know anything about the calorie burn. I go because I run and I have extremely tight calf muscles. The heat lets me get a little deeper into the stretch and helps loosen up those muscles. Plus, I just like yoga. But if you hate it, there's no reason to go. It doesn't burn any more calories than regular yoga. And there are enough cardio options that you're bound to find something that you actually enjoy.

current weight: 140.0

140 137 134 131

128

Posts: 15,379
6/7/12 8:05 A

My brother practices Bikram twice a week, and he LOVES it!

The important is finding something you LOVE, and not settle for something just because of its claims.

SparkPoints: (42,076)
Fitness Minutes: (12,476)
Posts: 7,880
6/7/12 12:52 A

Hot yoga allows you to get deeper into the stretches (so says my yoga instructor) but it really provides no more benefits than regular yoga. It certainly won't burn more calories. PErsonally, I don't like being hot, and don't handle heat well... Not for me.

current weight: 186.0

211 197 183 169

155

SparkPoints: (2,889)
Fitness Minutes: (1,467)
Posts: 162
6/6/12 11:15 P

I KNEW IT.

Thank you all, there is no way that I am going to be going back to that then. I love me some yoga, especially Power yoga where you can kinda count it as cardio... haha..... but I HATED Bikram.

It made me feel so awful. I just thought maybe I'd give it another change. Forget that.

current weight: 149.3

155 148.75 142.5 136.25

130

Posts: 12,397
6/6/12 11:07 P

It is activity that burns calories, not sweating.

Bikram yogas burns the same number of calories as doing the same moves in a 68 degree studio.

current weight: 178.0

220 203.5 187 170.5

154

Posts: 270
6/6/12 10:43 P

I love yoga and did spend about a year doing Bikram yoga twice a week. I lost two pounds in sweat every time, to be gained back as soon as I drank water. The heat in the room makes you un-naturally flexible and at times my heart raced -- from dehydration and strain. There isn't much focus on alignment and the sequence is exactly the same every time -- leading to boredom and dread of the postures you find most difficult. I wouldn't recommend it. There are much better, safer and more reasonable yoga styles. Hope that helps.

Pounds lost: 12.4

0 6.75 13.5 20.25

27

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
6/6/12 10:09 P

Whitty,

Caloric expenditure is based on the amount of oxygen consumed in relation to large muscle activation. Bikram yoga is more about flexibility than it is cardio activity.

Coach Nancy

0 Days until:  The Historic MC 1/2 Marathon

50 37 25 12

0

SparkPoints: (2,889)
Fitness Minutes: (1,467)
Posts: 162
6/6/12 9:32 P

I tried Bikram once about a year ago and nearly died.

BUT I am thinking of getting back into it.

There are claims that it burns SO MANY calories... then others say it is just water weight... some say it is a weight burning exercise, other say NO WAY JOSE.

What are your thoughts?

current weight: 149.3

155 148.75 142.5 136.25

130