Being healthy and toned isn't going to hurt your playing.

Yes, Thomas has some major "guns" for arms.

I'd say if your technique is there, having some muscle won't hurt at all.  Look at guys like Virgil Donati and Bobby Rock.  They are stacked and play great.  But then you have guys like Ray Luzier who is very skinny and just wails away like no tomorrow.  Tommy Aldridge was another guy that was scrawny, but toned and could slam.

I honestly think it's more about technique, talent and attitude.  But being healthy is great and there is nothing wrong with a healthy lifestyle *makes mental note after not smoking a lousy cigarette for the past 3 days... felix goes back to chewing finger nails*

With the size sticks that Lang uses, he may have developed arms that size just drumming. Not. You aren't going to develop much muscle mass through drumming. I wondered about drumming and weight lifting myself. I started working out seriously early this year and have actually have improvements in my drumming that I believe are directly related. The first few weeks may be different, but once you are in a routine and your muscles are use to working out, I don't think it will hurt your drumming at all.

Addendum:

Light to medium resistance training has many health benefits.
It's even been shown to benefit the very elderly.
Being fit (in any way) is bound to help your drumming.
I'd warn against linking weight training directly with drumming however, especially if you get obsessed by it.
Much better to spend those hours practising techniques like rudiments and groove.

I agree with Chris - light to medium resistance training to stay reasonably healthy.  Along with others, I think Jojo Mayer, not a large guy but large in technique, has suggested the danger in building too much muscle mass as actually hindering your abilities...okay...slowing you down.

If it helps with your own personal feeling of well being it's probably fine, but should be combined with an awareness of not over doing.

I don't think any one can accurately say that working out and building muscle mass will dramatically hinder your drumming. I personally like working out. It also benefits me in some other things I do in life, like softball. I don't work out to improve my drumming. As long as it does not hinder drumming, I will do it. In my experience, having muscle mass does not hinder drumming like some say it does. Granted, I certainly am not built like a massive bodybuilder. At that point, I would think it would definitely hinder you. There is going to be a balancing point somewhere. I have yet to find that point. That point is probably different for each person.

I think you have the best idea.  Swimming and Biking are probably the best.  I heard the name Tommy Aldridge earlier.  He might be thin but he is in very good shape and strong.
Also, when I have played one of the Marathon practices that we do when it is over my shoulders are worn out. I can barely lift my arms and going up the steps of my house just about kills me.  If that isn't a workout I don't know what is.  Watching Mike Teranis  and some of these power hitters, I would say that playing that style of drumming is a very good work out.  Lars looks like he is going to explode when he finishes a song. That is a physical work out.  Playing Country, probably isn't a work out.
                                 Nutty

for once......i think i have started a useful topic and one that people are interested in good stuff. As long as it dosnt hinder i will carry on.. I think i dont let myself rest enough

I'm of the aerobic camp on this subject (running, stretching, swimming, etc.). I feel it builds the endurance and keeps me toned and flexible enough to allow the technique to work for me. I do push ups and use light dumbbells sometimes, but usually take it easy with those if it's a "playing" day, and I feel good and toned all the while. I've over done it before and felt too tight at times - aha! The balancing point.

I think amoacristo nailed it. The balancing point is going to be different, very individualized....and probably ever changing for the individual as well.

Johno,

Great to see another drummer interested in weightlifting.  I've been an avid weightlifter for about as long as I've been drumming (about 18 years) and believe me, gaining muscle mass is NOT easy.  It's not like you just pick up a barbell, lift until you fail, and then wake up the next morning with a large muscle.  Nope, it doesn't work that way.  If it did, everyone would be muscular.

Instead, it's just like drumming!!  It takes MANY weeks, months, and even years of consistent training, along with many other factors (i.e. sleep, diet, fitness goal, etc., etc.) to achieve signficant results.  So, just be sensible about what you set your goals to, and then work hard and consistent at them, just like you did when you started drumming, and hopefully still do.

Oh, and if I didn't mention it before--go ahead and train for muscle mass---you don't gain it fast enough for it to become an 'overnight' hinderance to your drumming.  In the meantime, you'll feel better, look better and your drumming will IMPROVE. 

I could go on and on, but the one piece of training advice I would give to you would be:  train your whole body--not just your arms or just your upper body. 

Maybe we can start a separate thread on this stuff in Miscellaneous.  Good luck, have fun and be safe!

Scott   

didn't read every reply, but...weightlifting helped my drumming a lot. maybe coz i was a weakling to begin with. i found that being stronger meant i exerted less effort for certain things. and it seemed to strengthen the drum muscles that were being developed. maybe not for the major muscle groups, but the sinewy muscles felt improved, especially when i did wrist/forearm curls.

i think being healthy overall is good for everything: body, mind, soul. stretching is key, too.


jennifer--cool beans. martial arts rock. what style do you do?

not sure what '30 pulls' means, but generally, if you do 3 sets of 15 reps, you're good to go. so if you hoist a 30-pound weight 15 times, rest 15-30 seconds, do it again, rest, then do it again, you get a good workout.

the other stuff sounds good!

Sometimes I wonder about the fitness/drumming connection.  I was in excellent shape until April of 1997 when I was in a serious accident and spent 8 months in the hospital.  I was riding a bike 40 miles a day 5 days a week and swimming 2 hours a day 3 days a week.  Being in good shape probably helped save my life.  After the accident I was unable to exercise and when I went back to drumming being out of shape did not hinder my drumming.  I know that being healthy is important but I don't think you have to be fit to be a great drummer. 

Well, I don't think it HURTS to be fit!

I think a lot of it also depends upon what kind of music you're doing. Any "extreme" style definitely requires a certain degree of fitness...

But I'm glad you're doing okay now and back doing what you love.

Cheers!

No it doesn't!  Overall a person is much better all around staying in shape.  I was just saying I didn't notice a difference in my drumming either way.

Johnny,
I see Chuck Norris a few times a year.  Help suppport his Kick-Start program.  Should I pick up a Gym for you?
Jennifer

     I study Tae Kwon Do with his friend Keith Yates (Google him for fun).  The schools get together frequently.  You never know what world champ will be in class when you get there.  It is a very fortunate situation for me!
     I was down at Mr. Norris' public school classes a week ago.  Talk about a dream situation.  Completely supported by Mr. Norris' and his fund raising.  Working with inner city youth and it is really working.  I was very impressed with the self-control, respect and joy these kids had!   
     I have a tough decision to make.  Work for Mr. Norris or open my own school which I have been asked to do.  Life is very good. 
     Do you train in the "Arts"?
Jennifer