I’m not sure if I’m in the right topic. This is a genuine workout question anyway.
Is it OK to play drums for cardio? And I when I say play, it’s more to metal type of drumming which requires speed and stamina. (Fast double pedals and rollings, etc.) It does bring the heart rate up and if maintained at 20-30 mins, I don’t see why it can’t be a form of cardio.
I actually did this when I was boxing to build upper body endurance, worked pretty well since it’s quick movements, coordinated between your left and right arms as well as your feet. It definitely will get your heart rate up very quickly, though like any workout you need to warm up with something slower, and then gradually pick up the pace. This means don’t start off a session with Slayer or Slipknot.
I play & it’s for sure a great cardio workout. Try adding 1/2 lb. to 1 lb. wrist wts! What a workout. You’ll ever hardly see a fat drummer! There’s a few though, like the dude from Cheap Trick.
I played the drums for 12 years before I started lifting and playing rugby. I would say pick a different form of “cardio”. Sure, drumming burns calories, but the best drummers are relaxed when they play, so I think that trying to work up a real sweat would be counterproductive to your drumming.
Besides, you would get more benefit out of 15 mins of sprint intervals than probably 45 mins of drumming.
Maybe I’ll just use metal drumming as ‘additional’ active rest workout. I’ll still lift 3-4 times a week and do HIIT/slow pace cardio 3 times a week.
Actually I’m a guitarist who has always been interested in playing drums. Just that I don’t have that much free time and so I thought why not incorporate my interest as part of my cardio. I can improve on my drumming stamina and at the same time expend calories.
