Building Muscle and Its Effect on Drumming

[ConFagash]

Hi all, hope you’re well.

I’ve been playing drums for about 13 years (I think) but I have also been going to the gym for about half of that and built a fairly substantial frame through powerlifting. I started playing drums at 11 and weighing maybe 50kg, and I’m now a 103kg adult.
Up until about the age of 18 I played drums religiously and got up to 85kg in weight, but genuinely felt no negative influence of the muscle gained on my playing.

Fast forward a few years, I’ve been to university and haven’t played drums as often, and also bulked up to my current 103kg. However, when playing drums now, I notice myself having to work harder to stay fast and consistent at higher speeds and I also sweat a lot quicker when playing. I think it’s a combo of the lack of consistent practice and mass added.

I’m curious if anyone else combines the two great hobbies, and I’m also wondering if anybody has had any similar experiences.

Thanks!

 

[Jeremy Bender]

I've never lifted any weight (other than gear and luggage) although after a recent bone density scan revealed that I now have osteopenia, my Dr. recommended a weight lifting regimen.
So now I have to start to learn how to lift weights properly with the how to's, how much, how many, and whys.

I don't want to let my bones get worse but don't want to wreck my chops either. There will have to be a happy medium.

 

[Paul Blood]

I think being physically fit will help your drumming. The only reasons working out would hinder your drumming is if it takes time away from practicing or you injure yourself.

 

[Tamboreter]

Up until about the age of 18 I played drums religiously and got up to 85kg in weight, but genuinely felt no negative influence of the muscle gained on my playing.

Fast forward a few years, I’ve been to university and haven’t played drums as often, and also bulked up to my current 103kg. However, when playing drums now, I notice myself having to work harder to stay fast and consistent at higher speeds and I also sweat a lot quicker when playing. I think it’s a combo of the lack of consistent practice and mass added.

When you weighed less, you played drums "religiously." Sounds like you haven't played much in the last 4 years, the time frame which you've added 18kg (40 lbs). You are probably more affected from the lack of playing than the added weight. It definitely takes more effort to play with more weight.

I've never lifted any weight (other than gear and luggage) although after a recent bone density scan revealed that I now have osteopenia, my Dr. recommended a weight lifting regimen.
So now I have to start to learn how to lift weights properly with the how to's, how much, how many, and whys.

I don't want to let my bones get worse but don't want to wreck my chops either.

Now for a PSA: Good on you for lifting weights for the osteopenia!! Please don't let anyone tell you that osteopenia/osteoporosis is a women's disease... because that is simply false. My husband was diagnosed with hereditary osteoporosis at age 50. He has taken it like a trooper, even though he's had to wade through some female oriented facilities in order to get treatments and testing. Lots more needs to be done to educate society about bone loss. Best to you and may the weights keep your bone health where it needs to be.

 

[ConFagash]

I think being physically fit will help your drumming. The only reasons working out would hinder your drumming is if it takes time away from practicing or you injure yourself.

Just on that, there’s been some great benefits between the two hobbies for me as well! For example, I don’t get any wrist pain from things like bench pressing, and squats have really helped with my knee health too!

 

[Duck Tape]

I’m sure Matt Garstka has covered the topic in one of his videos, he has gone from a skinny frame to a body builder physique in the past few years and of course he just keeps improving at the drums.

Anyway I would say don’t push too hard, I think I’ve damaged my shoulders lifting weights years back and I get weird pains when holding my arms in certain positions nowadays. Towards the end I only lifted with great technique and light weights etc (trying to do everything right). As a kid I was in the swim squad and managed to make it to a state level competition, years later in my 20’s after getting into weights I couldn’t even swim a lap, you really do lose your flexibility and endurance with size.

But it sounds like you probably need to dust off the cobwebs and get deep into your practice regime before you can blame your muscles.

 

[joedrum]

That was my first question - how long have you been back playing? If it's not very long it'll take time to get into game shape.

I don't think the lifting is going to be an issue and may even help unless were talking Arnold in his prime. Though I wouldn't recommend doing an intense workout in your attic then immediately going down to your cellar to bang away. The other way around is fine.

 

[ConFagash]

I’m sure Matt Garstka has covered the topic in one of his videos, he has gone from a skinny frame to a body builder physique in the past few years and of course he just keeps improving at the drums.

I must give that a look, he and Thomas Lang are bound to have said something on it!

But it sounds like you probably need to dust off the cobwebs and get deep into your practice regime before you can blame your muscles.

I agree, I’ve been dusting the cobwebs off lately and getting the muscle memory back, but I do notice that the stamina needs built up again!

 

[ConFagash]

That was my first question - how long have you been back playing? If it's not very long it'll take time to get into game shape.

I’ve been playing on and off really for the last 4 years, usually when I’ve a gig or recording for a while. I miss having the consistency of playing 8-12 hours a week!

I don't think the lifting is going to be an issue and may even help unless we’re talking Arnold in his prime. Though I wouldn't recommend doing an intense workout in your attic then immediately going down to your cellar to bang away. The other way around is fine.

Interestingly, I have been having workouts before playing and noticed my hips can feel a bit looser if I’ve done some squats, and my arms feel nice and warmed up too. I wish I was prime Arnold though!

 

[joedrum]

I’ve been playing on and off really for the last 4 years, usually when I’ve a gig or recording for a while. I miss having the consistency of playing 8-12 hours a week!

Interestingly, I have been having workouts before playing and noticed my hips can feel a bit looser if I’ve done some squats, and my arms feel nice and warmed up too. I wish I was prime Arnold though!

Fir me working out before playing tightened my muscles but everyone us different so if that works great. But could doing that speak to your original question?

 

[Syncopated_1]

Hi all, hope you’re well.

I’ve been playing drums for about 13 years (I think) but I have also been going to the gym for about half of that and built a fairly substantial frame through powerlifting. I started playing drums at 11 and weighing maybe 50kg, and I’m now a 103kg adult.
Up until about the age of 18 I played drums religiously and got up to 85kg in weight, but genuinely felt no negative influence of the muscle gained on my playing.

Fast forward a few years, I’ve been to university and haven’t played drums as often, and also bulked up to my current 103kg. However, when playing drums now, I notice myself having to work harder to stay fast and consistent at higher speeds and I also sweat a lot quicker when playing. I think it’s a combo of the lack of consistent practice and mass added.

I’m curious if anyone else combines the two great hobbies, and I’m also wondering if anybody has had any similar experiences.

Thanks!

Muscle requires more oxygen and blood than does fat. This is completely normal. I have lifted weights since the age of 17, at one point was all buffed out. As I got into my 40s and early 50s, I changed up my routine to be one more of repetitions vs. heavy weights/low reps in order to build stamina into the muscles. I should do more cardio but I do the minimum.

 

[Croatian Man]

Hi all, hope you’re well.

I’ve been playing drums for about 13 years (I think) but I have also been going to the gym for about half of that and built a fairly substantial frame through powerlifting. I started playing drums at 11 and weighing maybe 50kg, and I’m now a 103kg adult.
Up until about the age of 18 I played drums religiously and got up to 85kg in weight, but genuinely felt no negative influence of the muscle gained on my playing.

Fast forward a few years, I’ve been to university and haven’t played drums as often, and also bulked up to my current 103kg. However, when playing drums now, I notice myself having to work harder to stay fast and consistent at higher speeds and I also sweat a lot quicker when playing. I think it’s a combo of the lack of consistent practice and mass added.

I’m curious if anyone else combines the two great hobbies, and I’m also wondering if anybody has had any similar experiences.

Thanks!

Ok, interesting Thread here. I'm 73 (in Oct). I have resurrected playing drums in 2019 after a 50 Year Hiatus [1969 at age 18]. Reasons for Hiatus are numerous, but suffice it to say that the 3 HS Buddies that played together for about 3 years ( each of us learning our instruments together) went different ways soon after HS graduation June 1969. The drum kit I had at my Buddy's house was sold off - I had mo where to keep it in my parent's apartment. I always played Air Drums, Tapped on Tables, etc over those years. Married in 1974, This year will be 50 Years to the same woman - a HS Sweetheart. During 2018, I was approaching retirement having worked 45 years (and 9 years before that in my Father's Restuarant), I mentioned to my wife that I wanted to go to a local Music Studio "to go hit the drums again - get it out of my system". That XMAS she gifted me a cheapo Gammon Drum Kit. That winter 2019, I set it up and started to Playagain, Lotss of Rust to start, but I began to improve playing along to MY MUSIC. That kit was given to my Grandson and then upgraded by purchasing a PDP Concept Maple 7 drum kit - USED in early 2021. All new Cymbals and accessories as well. Currently I play at Home in Retirement, about 1 hour a day with aspirations of playing /Jamming with local Geriatric Musicians one day!

Pertaining to the weight lifting /workout comments. At 45 years of age , circa 1996, After losing a few pounds after a bout with a stomach Bug for 3 days, I for some reason commenced Working Out!! I used to run in my later 30s, but did not keep up with that. Was it influenced from watching Rocky ?? But whatever reason, I decided to start weightlifting and mixing in light aerobics. I distinctly remember that while trimming hedges, standing on a ladder, that I struggled holding the electric Trimmer. After a few weeks of first, some Static Isometric exercises and light introductory weight lifting, trimming hedges holding that hedge trimmer was noticeably easier!! That encouraged me to Step It Up. Joined the YMCA gym to do weightlifting. But after a few months, I started to accumulate workout equipment at home : Multi-purpose Joe Weider Bench, Weights, Barbells, Dumbells, and more. Bought Ironman Magazine and other publications to provide more info on programs and exercises. After 6 months or so, I saw pretty drastic changes in my Physique, More Muscle and less Blubber. I kept that up for 20 years or so. Did I hit Plateaus: YES. Did I hurt my body to some extent: Yes. Overtraining is a Sneaky Danger. I was lifting probably 4-6X a week, many times not properly, and I did some damage - primarily the Shoulders and I tore the right Knee Meniscus form doing Squats (in 1997). Rhen for a variety of reasons, one being that I have encroaching Spinal Arthritis from the SI Joints to the top of my Neck. I would say that ever since a I had vocal chord surgery to remove a Non Cancerous Dysplasia growth in 2015 (man, I was sweating that out being a former Smoker of a Pack A Day for over 40 years) , I started to go South with irregular workouts. Other health stuff followed including the Spine Spondylosis. Anyway, since 2023 I slowly started to re-commence weight lifting (this time with more light weights) and some aerobics (limited because I'm Bone on Bone in the right knee, close in the left knee and left Hip). I'm happy to say that I have begun to tone up the body again at my age. As far as Interfering with Drum Playing, I would say I don't think so at all. With the generalized system I follow which involves more stretching using Stretch rubber bands to build some strength especially in the shoulders and forearms. I'm getting my "GUNS" back, albeit somewhat smaller than they were 15 years ago. Using an Elliptical for some aerobics is helping to tone my legs. Incorporating calisthenics with the band is very helpful as well. I do take some supplements mostly in my search to help control the daily pains and terrible stiffness from the Spondy arthritis like: Bromelain, Boswellia, Turmeric, Vitamins C, D, K2, E, B-12s, Zinc, Mg, Boron, and Chromium Picolinate [minerals] and for months I take Collagen added to my coffee, and most recently added Creatine; and a few times a week Amino Acids: L-Arginine, NAC, NAD, Tyrosine.

Sorry for rambling on... Bottomline: IMHO, Weight Lifting is good for the Body - keep up your muscle tone and strength. That seems all the rage for all people but even more so for the "Aged" like me.

 

[Croatian Man]

Muscle requires more oxygen and blood than does fat. This is completely normal. I have lifted weights since the age of 17, at one point was all buffed out. As I got into my 40s and early 50s, I changed up my routine to be one more of repetitions vs. heavy weights/low reps in order to build stamina into the muscles. I should do more cardio but I do the minimum.

Yeah same for me. More Hydration too.... I never drank water in my younger days - only the bare minimum - Coffee, garbage Soda, and tea, and of course Beer (not everyday) & Wine. Now I Try to drink more water everyday. And cut back on SUGAR - Public Enemy No.1. Absolutely No High Fructose Corn Syrup (which has been banned in Europe for years) - the worst Crap you can consume.

 

[Syncopated_1]

Yeah same for me. More Hydration too.... I never drank water in my younger days - only the bare minimum - Coffee, garbage Soda, and tea, and of course Beer (not everyday) & Wine. Now I Try to drink more water everyday. And cut back on SUGAR - Public Enemy No.1. Absolutely No High Fructose Corn Syrup (which has been banned in Europe for years) - the worst Crap you can consume.

Scientists are linking all sorts of cancer now to excessive sugar intake. Tumors literally feed on it. No more big gulps for me!

 

[Cmdr. Ross]

but genuinely felt no negative influence of the muscle gained on my playing.

Here in the US, the gym is a big factor for may of us. As I've gotten older (53), I've learned that staying in playing shape is more important than ever. My days of getting "jacked, tan & juicy AF" are over, but I'm still fit enough to play 3-4 hours shows of good, heavy rock songs with no ill effects.
At least nothing a little Ibuprofen can't fix.

 

[Lunasee]

Building muscle didn't seem to bother Kenny Aronoff.

 

[Syncopated_1]

Building muscle didn't seem to bother Kenny Aronoff.

Kenny builds muscle because he wants to be playing until he falls over dead. I feel the same way. Training the right way, and living a healthy lifestyle, I believe most people can play well into their 70s.

Plus he survived working for John Cougar Mellencamp Narcissist, so he's clearly doing something right!!!

 

[dcrigger]

My take is - of course, general fitness helps one do every activity.

But where it comes to specifically playing drums.... by far the primary exercise involved is.... playing drums.

The OP changed his weight and generally fitness, while also reducing his playing time. Sure everything matters - but that playing time element is the 800 lb. gorilla in the room.

 

[mikyok]

These kinda threads pop up all the time. I'm massively into weight training and hand on heart it does absolutely nothing to help or hinder your drumming as long as you do both of them right. I used to do strongman stuff and loved every second of it.

Let's face it we hit the iron so we look good in a t-shirt or a fitted shirt lol!

As for the drumming side up your practice and technique practice. You'll get the speed back without having physical effort in if that makes sense. Drumming is fantastic cardio fitness.

 

[joedrum]

Ok, interesting Thread here. I'm 73 (in Oct). I have resurrected playing drums in 2019 after a 50 Year Hiatus [1969 at age 18]. Reasons for Hiatus are numerous, but suffice it to say that the 3 HS Buddies that played together for about 3 years ( each of us learning our instruments together) went different ways soon after HS graduation June 1969. The drum kit I had at my Buddy's house was sold off - I had mo where to keep it in my parent's apartment. I always played Air Drums, Tapped on Tables, etc over those years. Married in 1974, This year will be 50 Years to the same woman - a HS Sweetheart. During 2018, I was approaching retirement having worked 45 years (and 9 years before that in my Father's Restuarant), I mentioned to my wife that I wanted to go to a local Music Studio "to go hit the drums again - get it out of my system". That XMAS she gifted me a cheapo Gammon Drum Kit. That winter 2019, I set it up and started to Playagain, Lotss of Rust to start, but I began to improve playing along to MY MUSIC. That kit was given to my Grandson and then upgraded by purchasing a PDP Concept Maple 7 drum kit - USED in early 2021. All new Cymbals and accessories as well. Currently I play at Home in Retirement, about 1 hour a day with aspirations of playing /Jamming with local Geriatric Musicians one day!

Pertaining to the weight lifting /workout comments. At 45 years of age , circa 1996, After losing a few pounds after a bout with a stomach Bug for 3 days, I for some reason commenced Working Out!! I used to run in my later 30s, but did not keep up with that. Was it influenced from watching Rocky ?? But whatever reason, I decided to start weightlifting and mixing in light aerobics. I distinctly remember that while trimming hedges, standing on a ladder, that I struggled holding the electric Trimmer. After a few weeks of first, some Static Isometric exercises and light introductory weight lifting, trimming hedges holding that hedge trimmer was noticeably easier!! That encouraged me to Step It Up. Joined the YMCA gym to do weightlifting. But after a few months, I started to accumulate workout equipment at home : Multi-purpose Joe Weider Bench, Weights, Barbells, Dumbells, and more. Bought Ironman Magazine and other publications to provide more info on programs and exercises. After 6 months or so, I saw pretty drastic changes in my Physique, More Muscle and less Blubber. I kept that up for 20 years or so. Did I hit Plateaus: YES. Did I hurt my body to some extent: Yes. Overtraining is a Sneaky Danger. I was lifting probably 4-6X a week, many times not properly, and I did some damage - primarily the Shoulders and I tore the right Knee Meniscus form doing Squats (in 1997). Rhen for a variety of reasons, one being that I have encroaching Spinal Arthritis from the SI Joints to the top of my Neck. I would say that ever since a I had vocal chord surgery to remove a Non Cancerous Dysplasia growth in 2015 (man, I was sweating that out being a former Smoker of a Pack A Day for over 40 years) , I started to go South with irregular workouts. Other health stuff followed including the Spine Spondylosis. Anyway, since 2023 I slowly started to re-commence weight lifting (this time with more light weights) and some aerobics (limited because I'm Bone on Bone in the right knee, close in the left knee and left Hip). I'm happy to say that I have begun to tone up the body again at my age. As far as Interfering with Drum Playing, I would say I don't think so at all. With the generalized system I follow which involves more stretching using Stretch rubber bands to build some strength especially in the shoulders and forearms. I'm getting my "GUNS" back, albeit somewhat smaller than they were 15 years ago. Using an Elliptical for some aerobics is helping to tone my legs. Incorporating calisthenics with the band is very helpful as well. I do take some supplements mostly in my search to help control the daily pains and terrible stiffness from the Spondy arthritis like: Bromelain, Boswellia, Turmeric, Vitamins C, D, K2, E, B-12s, Zinc, Mg, Boron, and Chromium Picolinate [minerals] and for months I take Collagen added to my coffee, and most recently added Creatine; and a few times a week Amino Acids: L-Arginine, NAC, NAD, Tyrosine.

Sorry for rambling on... Bottomline: IMHO, Weight Lifting is good for the Body - keep up your muscle tone and strength. That seems all the rage for all people but even more so for the "Aged" like me.

I agree. Proper weight training can help anyone at any age. But as you stated Croman don't over do it. It can have both short term and long term negative effects. I personally think too much weight is the biggest culprit with lifting. My brother in his younger days (late teens early twenties) got into lifting big time. He weighed about 145lbs and was benching 310lbs. Went into amateur competition. He'd be the first one to tell you that was a mistake. That's an unnatural kind if weight to be lifting. He's paying the price now. Less weight more reps is the key. And I do believe that it can help one's playing in regard to stamina, power, and possibly speed.