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atkinsx
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
720 Posts |
 Posted - 06/08/2012 : 20:13:34
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What with the Olympics being everywhere at the moment, I've become ever more conscious of my fitness, more specifically my lack thereof. Given as drumming can be a physically demanding activity, I'd like to get my fitness level up a little.
Do any of you guys have a fitness regime or involvement in sport of any kind? Do you tailor this for drumming? Have you ever come a cropper through injury and missed gigs? |
Occasionally piping up with stupid questions and irrelevant information on the MD forum since 2003.
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metallicpearl
Advanced Contributer
1842 Posts |
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MacDB7
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
254 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 20:24:05
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I've never had a fitness regime or any particular sport involvement but....
- I cycle about 5 miles every day and walk everywhere else.
- Warm-up my wrists & arms before I play
- Have used various wrist strengtheners (like the gyroscope-ball)
- Studied Alexander Technique to ensure I have good posture and am as relaxed as possible
- Always set-up my drums in the most ergonomic ways so that my body doesn't have to do any awkward movements.
Naturally this worked for me but may not for everyone, but just thought I might give you the alternatives to working-out that have worked for me. |
Jazz drummer
Mapex & Zildjian = the perfect combination!
http://soundcloud.com/calum-macleod |
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atkinsx
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
720 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 20:45:19
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| An holistic approach like this used to work really well for me: before I got my current job (which involves either driving all day or working from home), I was walking 90 minutes a day, playing in 2bands, doing bar work in the evenings to make ends meet and was generally far more active. Now I find myself needing to factor exercise into my life, which I've never done before. I reckon cross training could be the way forward, mind-numbing as it is! |
Occasionally piping up with stupid questions and irrelevant information on the MD forum since 2003.
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Brody
Advanced Contributer
1323 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:08:19
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| It certainly an issue as you get older. I'm fitter and stronger now than when I was younger, when I got by on youthful energy. These days I have a regular morning routine of bench presses and curls on the weights, sit ups and squats. A good core strength is important, because this will help to support your back - a regular problem area for drummers. when I can, get a cycle and a swim in sometimes too. Ultimately, good wrist technique will serve your drumming best, but keeping fit certainly helps I think. |
www.myspace.com/evisorax
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www.myspace.com/rocklikeergon
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mully
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
23898 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:42:59
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quote:
Originally posted by metallicpearl
I do circa 850cals/70 mins on the cross-trainer/treadmill and alternate with pullups/pushups in sets of 25 (variations of pullups/pushups) the other night. I do this lot twice a week. It's helped me :)
You can do 25 proper pullups? Seriously? That's some going.
I could probably still knock out 50 pressups but I'm nowhere near as good at pullups as I used to be. I'd be lucky to do five, but I'm talking about full-length pullups, not partials. I don't really do much at the minute, but I did train with weights for many years and I keep meaning to get back into it. I never tailored any of it towards playing, though, other than it helping me lift the PA cabs. :)
Stephen |
MD Fount of All Wisdom for Life and Extraordinary Amusement Officer of the forum's Sonor Delite Appreciation Society.
"Jayz mully, you're like the Django of the internet!" - scottser on the Drumming Ireland forum |
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metallicpearl
Advanced Contributer
1842 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 22:01:06
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quote:
Originally posted by mully
quote:
Originally posted by metallicpearl
I do circa 850cals/70 mins on the cross-trainer/treadmill and alternate with pullups/pushups in sets of 25 (variations of pullups/pushups) the other night. I do this lot twice a week. It's helped me :)
You can do 25 proper pullups? Seriously? That's some going.
I could probably still knock out 50 pressups but I'm nowhere near as good at pullups as I used to be. I'd be lucky to do five, but I'm talking about full-length pullups, not partials. I don't really do much at the minute, but I did train with weights for many years and I keep meaning to get back into it. I never tailored any of it towards playing, though, other than it helping me lift the PA cabs. :)
Stephen
Sorry, I was a bit vague.
I do 10+10+5, with 30sec gaps between. I do underhand, sideways, then overhand; 25 of each in the aforementioned pattern - all full-length. I then do pushups and repeat. When I did partials, I wasn't getting anywhere and it encouraged poor form.
To be honest, I wouldn't say that I started this to help my drumming; I just don't have a naturally svelte figure and I was getting a bit fat. But, I have noticed that my stamina behind the kit has increased a lot and it's helped me think more about the drumming benefits. Practising is easier and loading in/out isn't as tiring! The trick, for me at least, is not to fall off the wagon like I do whenever I get happy with my fitness. |
http://www.ladymonsoon.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/metallicpearl |
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mully
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
23898 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 23:41:22
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quote:
Originally posted by metallicpearl
quote:
Originally posted by mully
quote:
Originally posted by metallicpearl
I do circa 850cals/70 mins on the cross-trainer/treadmill and alternate with pullups/pushups in sets of 25 (variations of pullups/pushups) the other night. I do this lot twice a week. It's helped me :)
You can do 25 proper pullups? Seriously? That's some going.
I could probably still knock out 50 pressups but I'm nowhere near as good at pullups as I used to be. I'd be lucky to do five, but I'm talking about full-length pullups, not partials. I don't really do much at the minute, but I did train with weights for many years and I keep meaning to get back into it. I never tailored any of it towards playing, though, other than it helping me lift the PA cabs. :)
Stephen
Sorry, I was a bit vague.
I do 10+10+5, with 30sec gaps between. I do underhand, sideways, then overhand; 25 of each in the aforementioned pattern - all full-length. I then do pushups and repeat. When I did partials, I wasn't getting anywhere and it encouraged poor form.
To be honest, I wouldn't say that I started this to help my drumming; I just don't have a naturally svelte figure and I was getting a bit fat. But, I have noticed that my stamina behind the kit has increased a lot and it's helped me think more about the drumming benefits. Practising is easier and loading in/out isn't as tiring! The trick, for me at least, is not to fall off the wagon like I do whenever I get happy with my fitness.
My excuse is that I'm 55 years old. 
Stephen |
MD Fount of All Wisdom for Life and Extraordinary Amusement Officer of the forum's Sonor Delite Appreciation Society.
"Jayz mully, you're like the Django of the internet!" - scottser on the Drumming Ireland forum |
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OriginalAnimal
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
19305 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 09:35:56
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I lift weights, usually a large glass full of beer 20 in the right hand, 20 in the left hand |
I have no time to practice, I'm gigging. Leicester Drum Sniffers Anonymous. #17 of the 582 & 17 0f the 798 World Record Holders.
Jobeky, 2Box Drumit 5, Premier, Highwood/DM drums Paul Brook Snare, Matt Nolan cymbals, Silverstone Drum (seats) Thrones. Los Cabos drumsticks
Re Cycling drums is the future. |
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www.ecymbals.co.uk
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
6193 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 09:59:43
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I swim 1 mile a day 6 days a week.
My goal is to get under 30 minutes for 1 mile by next year's swimathon. |
www.ecymbals.co.uk
Paiste Cymbal Specialist ~ Sonor Drum Specialist ~ Drum Theory Specialist ~ Drum Kits For Hire ~ Vic Firth Sticks ~ T Shirts & Merchandise |
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WendyB
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
5653 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 11:24:20
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| My exercise regime fluctuates. Sometimes its minimal, other times I'm gardening and decorating, and when I have the chance I walk a couple of miles a day and go to the gym. I do notice a difference when playing and gigging, exercise is definitely beneficial. I just wish I had more time to fit it all in. |
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Honorary Forum Cupcake Baker. Nomnomnomnom. |
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StormBlast
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1506 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 11:30:54
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| The cafe by my office is closing so now I have to walk to Greggs. |
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mully
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
23898 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 11:36:39
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quote:
Originally posted by StormBlast
The cafe by my office is closing so now I have to walk to Greggs.
Did you know that if you stop at the Tesco on the High Street for a bag of crisps and a slash on your way back from Greggs you can legally refer to yourself as a triathlete?
Stephen |
MD Fount of All Wisdom for Life and Extraordinary Amusement Officer of the forum's Sonor Delite Appreciation Society.
"Jayz mully, you're like the Django of the internet!" - scottser on the Drumming Ireland forum |
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StormBlast
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1506 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 11:41:04
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| Thing is because the weather's a bit crap I've started driving there instead... |
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drongo
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
235 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 11:57:12
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I used to run a lot but it never got me any thinner though I did enjoy it.
Then I joined the gym and started lifting weights a bit, and that built up my arms a little.
But I found going to the gym and paying for it every month tedious, so I bought a York Elliptical trainer for £400 and now I burn about 300 calories a day. I find this easy to maintain, which is key.
I also use a web site called MyFitnessPal.com to monitor what I eat and I've lost about a stone using that (but I've got another stone to go). The phone app is fantastic and makes it really easy to monitor calorie intake.
Interestingly, according to the MyFitnessPal exercise database, drumming can burn calories. Have a look at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/exercise/lookup at type in "drumming". According to this I burn over 500 calories on a two hour gig. But I find that a bit difficult to believe. I am the type of drummer who likes to restrict movement to the absolute minimum - no flailing about for me. |
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lee haydn
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2035 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 12:00:41
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| I bet i used to walk a couple of miles a day walking around the barbers chair, never suffered from fatigue after working all day and going out gigging, used to thrive on it, now iv'e finished work (does that make me a professional?) i suppose i ought to hang some lead weights on me fags, help with me pec's an all that eh,, |
Ludwig Maple Classic (Green Sparkle) + L400
Sabian HH and Paiste Stanbul vintage
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StormBlast
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1506 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 12:00:56
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In all seriousness though, one of those pull up bars you can fit into a doorway was my revelation-purchase. Found it easy to maintain doing because it was always just there, attached to my en-suite door frame! And once you get into the swing of doing one exercise doing more is less daunting..
Edit - Oh and it was a tenner. |
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Tex
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1586 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 16:06:39
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Seems a light training routine works, which I've always maintained although it changes from time to time. To keep doing it ideally it should be about 20minutes and no longer than half an hour unless you are seriously IMPROVING rather than just maintaining. Cherry picking any army or air force keep fit manual (not the heavy training one) or just the warm ups to a yoga regime should do. Short time means that you'll more than likely keep it up.
Upper body; arm swings, neck rotation, body/waist twists vertical and L to R, (couple of light 1lb weights help or tins of beans)
Lower; toe touching (touch your toes and THEN straighten your legs, froggy. for the hamstrings)
Sit; Grab toes, loosen hips and sretch the feet
You'll get the idea. The most dangerous thing about exercise is trying to do it while reading the book.
And in addition to stretches it has been found that just 60 seconds (in three 20second bursts) of max exercise 3 times a week can improve all that insider gubbins like cholesterol and blood pressure as well as change you weight/fat ratio.
So I just do three 20second fast stair stepping on the bottom step. I try for about 4 steps per second or more remembering to change leg half way or the leading leg wakes you up terribly in the morning.
If you feel you need to do weights there's plenty in that PR hardware bag. |
Sitting on top of the mountain isn't the most interesting bit of the climb. Sitting at the bottom aint much fun either. |
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fatty
Very Active Contributer
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 23:00:21
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Be sure to take care of your joints. Linseed/flax oil tablets are good. Glucosamine sulphate tablets are effective but should be avoided over the long term as they are known to cause calcium build up in the joints.
Since i developed my technique i use up far less energy so don't need to rely on keeping super fit (although i do work out several times a week to a high level). I am currently playing in a samba street band and i play very hard using the moeller technique which uses hardly any energy except playing mid/full moeller strokes lifting the elbows right out for the whip. The other snare playing guys play very stiff like toy soldiers and finish the sets absolutely hanging out.
If you finish a set in bits you're either completely out of shape physically or your technique needs a lot of work or maybe both.However I think there is too much emphasis on brute force.
There are a lot of physically unfit guys who can play very hard for a long time. Jim Chapin played hard rock n roll right up to the end. |
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