drums and barefoot running

drumr4evr

New member
I decided, after years of knowing I should, that I am gonna get in shape. I hate running, but I know it's a great way to get in shape. However, I love to play drums. Knowing these things, I have started barefoot running (Woot Vibram Five Fingers!) mornings and playing drums in the afternoons. Just trying to lose a couple inches and get in better shape. am I on the right track?
 
Ha ha! I had images of you running with a massive drum like some tribal warrier!

Any exercise in place of none is a great idea- just be sure to keep yourself as injury free as you can- those Vibrams look scary to me (I have never used them so don't use my word as rule!) but I worry about joint issues. Research writes against this- saying the body compensates but I'd imaging that would be a longer term thing rather then from the outset so if that were me I'd be taking enough Omega 3 oils (good for joints- just make sure its good quality stuff as bad quality stuff is useless) and stretching well after exercise. Its also fine to build yourself up a little bit at a time and taking days off when you feel any pain.

The drums! Sounds like fun! Not sure you'd be getting a total arm workout there but in terms of emotiomal well being, this sounds like a good idea- its so rare anyonw here mentions it but how we are internally (as in emotionally) is just as important to how our body is in my opinoin. Who wants to be fit and miserable?!
 
I'll definitely think about that Omega 3 stuff. I think we've got some laying around the house somewhere. lawl! but as for drums being an arm workout, I was thinking more cardio. I play metal so that's all four limbs at full capacity within any given song, and all I know is that when I'm through with a set, I am drenched, head to toe, and I'm panting like I just ran a marathon. (seriously, I fear throwing up after a good set of Lamb of God) But thanks for the input! I'm 6'2" (LINK REMOVED) 19 and tired of that little bit of a gut I've got goin on down yon.
 
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Another metal drummer? Awesome! Same here. It has been proven that playing drums for 90 minutes is the same as playing a premier league football match for 90 mins. Good news all round. Be sure to take Glucosamine for your joints. Trust me.
As for LOG - I met them!
 
I'll definitely think about that Omega 3 stuff. I think we've got some laying around the house somewhere. lawl! but as for drums being an arm workout, I was thinking more cardio. I play metal so that's all four limbs at full capacity within any given song, and all I know is that when I'm through with a set, I am drenched, head to toe, and I'm panting like I just ran a marathon. (seriously, I fear throwing up after a good set of Lamb of God) But thanks for the input! I'm 6'2" (LINK REMOVED) 19 and tired of that little bit of a gut I've got goin on down yon.

OP- you gotta get a heart rate monitor!- see how your drumming session works out exercise wise! Bare in mind your results will be 10 to 15 bpm slower then if you were running/standing exercising but you should be able to get some stats, then compare it with any other exercise you chose to do.

The HRM will get you your cardio results, tell you how hard your heart is working but remember, the key to fitness is variety and doing the same workout- no matter how water logged you become is no substitute for more variety as your body can become used to anything you throw at it and just uses fewer calories to get the same results, you can still sweat as hard but don't burn as much.(unfortunetly sweating is not an indication of intensity- it can indicate intensity but its not a marker as room heat, calorie intake, even body weight can alter this).

You also need to- if you do find an exercise which works for you, find out how to increase the intensity so your working out harder- a variation on finding the variation if you like. A few examples, if your on an exercise bike, increasing the levels whilst maintaining the same speed, if your running, running faster, on a steeper gradient or even in different directions (heel kicks, knee high running, sideways galloping) or interval training, HIIT.... This keeps your body on top form as it cannot get used to the same thing, it gets pushed that bit further, has to workout that bit harder and you get that bit better results.
 
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