Staying in good physical condition is a must for a professional singer. Although it can be difficult to take the time and energy needed to rehearse vocal technique and make sport, your body is your instrument and appropriate physical activity helps you improve your singing by increasing the strength and cardiovascular endurance.
Sport is a healthy activity for anyone, given that lowers stress, It increases the blood flow and the feeling of happiness, It stimulates endorphins and strengthens the overall muscle tone, so the usual practice of sport can help you sing higher, clearer, with less tension and more energy, in addition to avoiding fatigue you while you act.
It is important to choose the proper exercise that makes you feel relaxed, energized, and that clears your mind for face your daily challenges with a positive attitude, including your singing lessons. But, What type of exercise is suitable to help you sing better?
Swim to improve cardiovascular ability
Resistance swimming, whether in swimming pool, in a lake or the sea, strengthens the diaphragm, widens the back, increases the ability to breath and it makes heart and lungs fit. Before a performance, a vigorous swimming session of about 30 minutes calms your nerves, It pumps air into your lungs and increases the level of endorphins in your body, reasons that make swimming the best sport for a singer. After swimming, 30 minutes of vocal warm-up and ready to succeed on stage!!
Martial arts, Yoga or pilates to improve your focus and singing better
The posture, alignment, the breath control and confidence are powerful reasons for practicing martial arts, Yoga or pilates. The latter help you build strength, balance, breathing coordination, mental clarity, concentration, and are good choices to practice relaxation. Tai Chi, for example, teaches you to focus your energy and connect with your breathing. These sports help you, also, to decrease anxiety and stage fright before a performance. Karate, Taekwondo and Aikido are also appropriate sports, but you will have to obtain permission from your instructor to avoid the shouts!
Team sports or solo sports, but not just any sport
Bicycling, run in a moderate way, walk, skate or play basketball, are sports that not only do not interfere in your singing lessons, but they complement them when your goal is to get a wide range and a melodic voice.
However, is recommended to avoid weight training, since the practice of this sport makes you able to develop an incorrect posture, rounded back, the neck bended forward, tense shoulders and rigid ribs. The result will be a limited range, decreased lung capacity and decrease in resonance.
In the same way, Te discourage the aerobics of running from competition due to dehydration and high impact, hoarseness, the decrease in muscle tissue and low body weight you get with these sports. One or two marathons in your life can be a fun challenge, but these sports are incompatible with your singing career.
And when it comes to the truth… How sing better thanks to sport?
Choose an activity that you enjoy, that fit your lifestyle, and decide to integrate it into your daily routine. Don't ignore your exercise session even if your gym is closed! Rotate between different activities to make it more interesting and create a sports habit that you can keep practicing even when you have to travel.
And if you still don't believe that vigorous exercise during 30 minutes on the days of rehearsing can help you be a better singer, we challenge you to come to school by bike and tell us about your experience. 😀
2 Response
Nice day, my name is Andrés Aguilar
I read his review about the benefits of sport on singers and I thought it was fabulous, There is a book or magazine that you recommend to me to continue researching the benefits of sport in singing?
I'm a singer, student in Mexico, and I would like to investigate more on the subject.
Thank you very much for these valuable tips!