Peloton's Yoga Conditioning Is the Ultimate Cross-Training

If you're looking for a faster, more challenging flow that will build strength and boost your cardio health, Peloton's yoga experts have the answer for you. Join veteran instructors Kristin McGee, Mariana Fernández, and Kirra Michel for Yoga Conditioning. In this class, you'll incorporate light weights and repetition with familiar yoga poses to build a stronger, more confident yoga practice. Learn more about what you can expect from the class and what you'll need to get started.

What is Yoga Conditioning?

Yoga conditioning is a class that combines yoga postures with repetitive strength moves using accessories such as light weights, sliders, and yoga blocks. According to McGee, "It can be a standalone practice or workout that gives you a little more cross-training. The goal is to do movements that are going to support your yoga practice." Fernández describes the class as "functional training" that "marries strength elements with yoga postures." She says that the strength-boosting benefits stem from a focus on increased reps, the addition of weights, and longer isometric holds.

"Oftentimes once you land in a pose you quickly move through it so you don't really feel how your muscles are working. By holding weights and having the isometric hold, you feel your muscles really activate," explains Fernández. This increased muscle awareness can also ensure that you're fully engaged and focusing on optimal form to strengthen (and lengthen) your muscles.

Shorter, Cardio-Packed Workouts

These shorter, cardio-packed workouts (offered in 10, 20, and 30-minute increments) are perfect as standalone workouts (particularly when you're strapped for time), or as part of a stack with another flow, ride, or run. "I love to do a 10-minute upper body conditioning and then a power flow," says McGee. "Or, a 10-minute lower body yoga conditioning and 30-minute ride or run." She explains that yoga conditioning is the perfect way to warm up and engage muscles typically used in running and cycling.

Dynamic, Fast-Paced Strengthening

The dynamic, quick-moving yoga conditioning classes are different from other yoga classes offered at Peloton. "The classes are designed to create strength and stability in places where we need it for yoga — think arms, core, glutes, and hamstrings specifically. Areas that sometimes get overlooked in a yoga class, or areas that might need a little extra attention to build the strength required for certain poses like chaturanga or inversions," says Michel.

Intermediate-Level, But Beginner-Friendly

Due to the fast pace of the class, yoga conditioning is best suited for intermediate and advanced practitioners. "Beginners should look to our Yoga Basics and Beginner yoga classes on the Peloton app," says Michel. "When they feel ready and want to gain a little more strength to assist with their yoga practice, [they can] give Yoga Conditioning a go." Starting with yoga basics is always helpful to ensure that your form is on point before progressing.

What Props Do You Need?

All you need to get started is access to the Peloton app, a mat, light hand weights (1 to 5 pounds), a block, and maybe some sliders. "These classes are definitely meant to be a workout! They’re upbeat, fun, and challenging in all the right ways. We then add some light weights or sliders into the mix to help target strength in certain areas. And personally, for me, I use completely different music, typically more upbeat than I would in my [other] yoga classes," says Michel.

To prepare for yoga conditioning, you may want to invest in these editor favorites.

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Editor Tip: If you don't have access to these accessories, you can always source items from around the house. Use cans or water bottles in place of hand weights and swap hand towels for sliders. Or, simply use your body weight. However, investing in a quality yoga mat is key for safely practicing at home or in the studio.

Why They're Excited About It (And You Should Be Too)

If you're typically a cardio fan but have high aspirations to incorporate yoga and strength into your routine, you can check all three boxes with one yoga conditioning class. If you love to flow but want to raise your heart rate and increase your muscular tone, yoga conditioning is for you. It's the ultimate cross-training workout.

It's a Strength Booster for Your Yoga Practice

"I’m really passionate about cross-training and gaining strength for your Yoga asana practice," says Michel. "This is a fun way to add some targeted strength to build confidence in your yoga and inversion practice. It's such a great add-on to your yoga practice." Each yogi explains that yoga conditioning complements and enhances your general yoga practice, as well as overall body strength.

It's Cross-Training for All Athletes

McGee comments, "I am so excited for people to see how much they can improve when they add some of this type of strength training work in their practice." She mentions that it's a "great segue for yogis" who may not feel like they want to try a strength or cardio class, but want to get stronger and more cardiovascularly fit. "It's kind of like this nice bridge," says McGee.

It's a Fun, Empowering, Rhythm-Based Exercise

All yoga conditioning classes are set to feel-good music and align reps with rhythm. Fernández loves that the class will help yogis to feel their bodies taking action and getting stronger. "Ultimately," she says, "It's about celebrating and surprising yourself with what your body can do."