Musicians: The importance of physical activity

A musician, you probably find yourself siting around throughout the day an awful lot. Between teaching, rehearsing, commuting and practicing, it's amazing (and horrifying!) to see how much time we spend on our bottoms. Granted, it can be tricky to find time/energy to exercise. But there are so many benefit to physical activity, both physically and mentally. Keeping your body healthy will make your life better, and even may help you to be a better musician!

Exercise helps keep you healthy:

The first and most obvious reason for activity; to stay healthy! As a performer, maintaining a healthy body is so important. Your entire body functions much better when you you are healthy and active.

Sitting around doesn't get you using and expanding your lungs. When working out, your heart rate rises and you breathe quicker. When your lungs have to wok like that, you are actually cleansing bacteria out of them; this activity will to lower your chance of getting the flu, a cold, or other illnesses.

Exercise is important to build up energy and endurance:

If you were giving a full solo concert, performing the most demanding repertoire for your instrument, you'd need the two 'E' words: energy and endurance.

Hours of practicing your instrument will give you the mental stamina and finger dexterity to get through the concert, but it takes more than that to pull off an epic performance- the performer has to be energized, and completely ready to convey intense emotions for entire an hour (or more!).

Exercise is an amazing thing when trying to improve your endurance and energy levels. Physical activity that gets the heart rate up and the blood flowing releases endorphins. When the endorphins are released, your energy levels rise, and your stress decreases. Cardiovascular exercises strengthen your heart, and gives you more stamina. More physical stamina = epic concert.