Singers & Exercise

The holidays are over and this semester is in full swing, which means it is time to begin working myself back down to my wedding dress size. Before I broke my arm, I was going to both spin and yoga twice a week. I planned on filling the few weeks between the end of the summer session and the beginning of the fall with rollerblading and lifting, but now I know that strapping wheels to ones feet will inevitably end in a broken limb.

Now I have both the time and physical ability to go back to those two classes that I loved so much this summer. The question is, will strenuous exercise, such as spin class or lifting weights, hurt or help my singing? Every textbook that I have read seems to think that singers will strain their throat muscles if they do anything other than swimming or walking. However, the modern opera singer can't just be a good singer, they must also look great. This means that exercise is a necessary addition to one's daily routine.

How is anyone supposed to get into good enough shape to be able to sing and dance at the same time by walking? Singing requires excellent posture and great abs, so walking just isn't going to cut it for me. I need something more intense and exciting. My exercise of choice is spin class. If you have never been to a spin class, prepare to sweat - a lot. It is an intense cardio workout that will make your legs burn until you can barely walk.

Intense exercise can be very beneficial if one is smart about it. It is necessary to think carefully about the time of day that exercise should be scheduled. Intense exercise can often aggravate acid reflux, which makes it a lot more difficult to sing. Also, don't grunt while exercising, breathe normally and you will be fine. Grunting is a misuse of the voice akin to clearing one's throat, so just don't do it. Use common sense - don't go straight from the gym to rehearsal because it will not go well. Your body needs some time in between to rehydrate and recover after exercise. Under normal circumstances, one is supposed to drink an extra liter of water after a spin class, but most people don't go and sing afterwards. This requires even more water.

If you use your head, it is definitely possible to exercise and not destroy your singing voice. More updates later on whether I accomplish my goal of fitting into my wedding dress!