Drumming for Exercise

Drumming has many benefits as it brings people together in the spirit of harmony, rhythm, healing or just for fun and entertainment, but have you thought of the health benefits that the act of drumming can bring to your body? Can drumming be considered exercise?

If you watch a professional drummer perform, whether on a Djembe, in a marching band, or on stage at a show, the drummer is constantly in motion, using his or her arms, shoulders, back and even legs and feet for an extended amount of time that could add up to well over an hour of aerobic exercise. As a drummer, you know it's hard to sit still when the rhythm gets going, and it's that inability to remain still that gives drumming its fat-burning place in the world of aerobics and cardio exercise. Drumming involves concentration, coordination and motor planning in addition to the physical movement it inspires.

Even if you aren’t drumming for exercise, there are also benefits to playing drum music or music with a heavy beat while exercising. The rhythm helps you keep a regular pace and gives you a focus other than the amount of calories you are burning on the treadmill, step machine or while in spin class. There are even workout DVDs and classes you can take that focus on drumming as exercise.

Including drumming or drums into your workout will help with your focus, concentration, coordination and overall workout goals by involving your entire body and mind with the drum rhythms. Drumming burns an average of 270 calories an hour, and improves your overall health and well being, so grab your drum (or sit at your drum set) and start working off those calories the fun and creative way.