Fitness/Health for a Performer

Okay, I won't lie: singers and dancers typically don't involve themselves in hardcore team sports. However, as it is of prime important for this group of people to keep in shape, we do engage in physical activities of wide variety. Most of the time, however, these activities are solo sports, and can be done anytime, anywhere. In addition, there are numerous "training exercises" that both singers and dancers must use to keep their instruments (their vocal chords or bodies) in good condition.

Pilates and other forms of aerobic exercise are key for a few reasons. First, they improve breath support and lung capacity, which helps singers as well as dancers, as it allows for deeper, fuller breathing, meaning more sound can be produced with less effort, and more movement can be achieved without running out of air. Aerobics are great all-around exercises that are very easy on the joints, unlike running or organized sports, like basketball or baseball, which are devastating for the knees. Pilates improve core strength, flexibility, agility and economy of motion. They can even help alleviate back pain and other chronic ailments. For performers, having excellent posture is essential, and these types of workouts can help maintain a good working physique as well as an impressive poise.

Swimming, jogging, and crunches are favorites to most vocalists and dancers. Again, easy on the joints, but helpful in improving breath support, these activities allow a performer, whose schedule may be extremely hectic, to work on his/her own schedule for as much time as he/she wants, and can be done anywhere (except for swimming, which often requires water). Good abs are necessary for any professional singer or dancer, so doing sit-ups is generally part of a healthy workout routine. Both women and men should engage in at least some form of weight-lifting (men more than women), to keep their extremities in shape, as well as their shoulder muscles. Again, a fit body will have better posture and be more balanced. Arm strength is needed for many male dancers, who are required to lift and support their partners, and both sexes will need strong legs for intense dance numbers.

And of course, dancers will be doing one of the most tiring and helpful "sports" out there: dancing! Classes are offered for all levels of dancers in all areas of dance, and are a great way of keeping your body in shape. Dancing improves coordination and flexibility, and it requires an extreme degree of focus. Consider it a workout for the body and the mind. Thus, it can be helpful for vocalists as well. When performing, one needs to be able to hone their skill like a laser, executing their motions (vocal motions or bodily ones, as the case may be) with accuracy and efficiency (so as not to waste energy or air). Thus, activities like dancing are good for maintaining that sense of focused physicality. Your body must get used to concentrating hard while exerting itself equally as hard. Or else, it doesn't matter how strong you are, your routine will fall apart.

On to training exercises: in addition to keeping a healthy lifestyle full of active workouts, a daily regimen of warm-ups is vital to any singer or dancer. Dancers have a different routine than do singers, so we will deal with them separately. A dancer will want to perform a solid 10-15 minutes or more of stretching exercises to improve flexibility. Afterwards, 30-45 minutes or so of aerobic exercise, like pilates, will improve concentration and heart-rate. Finally, "reminding" oneself with an actual dance routine, or pieces from several routines, helps to keep the body focused and in tune with signature moves and uses muscles that would not be used otherwise in normal exercise; muscles which are needed for that particular type of dance.

Singers are welcome to do these physical warm-ups, but more important, vocal warm-ups keep one's voice in shape and in tune. There are a myriad of just breathing exercises, not meant to get you to breathe longer per say, but rather to teach you to channel your breath into a solid, powerful sound. Next, numerous singing exercises will help you utilize that breath to make pretty music. Scales are a good starter, as well as exercises which work both upper and lower ranges, but don't forget about the trickier exercises which focus on tuning notes and working on pitch. A good 30-45 minutes of vocal work is the recommended daily amount for a serious singer. Of course, these exercises, for both dancers and vocalists, will improve one's mood and energy, much like other workouts, especially if done in the morning. So even if you're not a singer or dancer, feel free to browse the internet or buy a book on good warm-ups, and see what it can do for you!