It seems you can’t take an exercise class these days without your sticks. From core strengthening while playing single strokes, to drumming on an exercise ball doing aerobics, the trend in fitness appears to be through drumming. Workouts like these are on YouTube under names like Pound, Drum Fit and Cardio Drumming.
But those of us who play know the decent workout drumming provides (though I find that's mostly from loading in and out and hot lights). I've been using smaller muscle groups lately too (wrists and fingers) making calorie burning more elusive. But Blondie’s drummer Clem Burke recently received a doctorate for his pioneering studies comparing the similarities of big motion, fast drumming to an elite athlete.
It’s great to see folks incorporate drumming into their lives via exercise. Understandably, the drumming is fairly rudimentary to appeal to a large base with perhaps little rhythmic experience. It would be great however to see a niche class geared to seasoned drummers. Imagine practising your paradiddle-diddles whilst working on those abs!
