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Weightlifting and Bassing

T

Tupac

May 5, 2011
2,644
366
#1
I was told by a friend that, once he started getting really buff, small movements like playing instruments became really explosive to him. Also, I imagine your grip strength and calluses go through the roof. I was thinking of starting lifting soon, will it in any way affect my bass playing?
 
#3
Lugging is definitely made a lot easier. I lift a bit, helps keep my back strong so I don't slouch when I play. I also do a lot of aerobics to keep my stamina up. I recommend avoiding push ups as much as you can, it's hell on the wrists. As far as grip strength goes, get an upright. I can crush rocks after a 3 hour upright gig :cool:
 
#4
Affect your bass playing, hmm... I've wondered about that. Putting PA cabinets up on stands sure is easier. But playing any instrument, even an unamplified DB, requires such tiny amounts of force that strength shouldn't be relevant. On the other hand, I can't shake the feeling that I keep getting better at playing in spite of practicing very very little. Maybe it has something to do with the kind of central nervous system adapation needed to make a whole lot of neurons fire very quickly to move a heavy weight? But I'm not sure.

You'll get calluses in completely different places than from playing bass, though.
 
#5
I notice a difference in posture and duration when I pick up the iron on the regular (again....?). By far, there's an ease with lugging equipment back and forth--in my case six flights of stairs.

Some days I have to choose between the two though--my wrist and back call uncle either way.

Overall, just better energy
 
#7
:hyper: Pretty much work back once a week and legs another the rest of workouts are aerobics and abs. I find that bicep and tricep work slows my playing down and chest/bench/push ups hurts my shoulders too much (suffered several separated shoulder injuries both sides in my youth) and makes it difficult to play for about a week after anytime I get the bright idea to do a few set of bench presses at the gym.
 
#9
Spaldo said:
Lugging is definitely made a lot easier. I lift a bit, helps keep my back strong so I don't slouch when I play. I also do a lot of aerobics to keep my stamina up. I recommend avoiding push ups as much as you can, it's hell on the wrists. As far as grip strength goes, get an upright. I can crush rocks after a 3 hour upright gig :cool:
Click to expand...

Push up bars alleviates the strain on the wrist. keeping you muscle mass up and your aerobic fitness up helps with everything you do. The older you get the more of this you should be doing that is of course if you desire to have a better quality of life.
 
#10
I'm down to pushups, situps, elliptical, and stretches, lots of stretches, any more. I used to be a 6 day a week gym guy, and did lots of weights. Can't say it really affected my bass playing one way or another, except for feeling healthier in general.

I've always been careful to lift properly, and never injured myself at the gym. A couple of weeks ago, however, I messed up my left rotator cuff lifting cabinets onto poles. Go figger! I'm sure it has more to do with getting old...
 
#11
RDUB said:
I'm down to pushups, situps, elliptical, and stretches, lots of stretches, any more. I used to be a 6 day a week gym guy, and did lots of weights. Can't say it really affected my bass playing one way or another, except for feeling healthier in general.
Click to expand...

Same here, I work out a lot and it doesn't effect my bass playing... much. So things like push ups occasionally stiffen up my wrists, but other than that I end feeling better with no side effects.
 
#13
I ride my bike, walk, and do stretching exercises. I'm a beginner and a hobby player (No band, no gigs just play and sing at my house to myself).

I'm sure this question was directed to those who make their living at bass playing; but wanted to give my .02 worth.
 
#14
weight training and general body conditioning have no deleterious effects on your ability to initiate extremely fine-tuned, microscopically subtle hand movements in the art of music performance.
the urban myth of "dude, yer gonna get so huge and bulky that, uh, you won't be able to play bass.." is exactly that. many classical/jazz musicians, as well as surgeons, have embraced and extol weight training as part of their health routines.
anything done to ridiculous excess is of course not what's being discussed here. a regular routine of weights, cardio and cross training will improve your coordination, speed and stamina while likely adding years to your life. i trained hardcore for 12 years during a period i was playing remarkably well, while i was shedding a ton on my bass. got profound benefits from both.
start your program, pace yourself, expect some soreness while healing from weights days, avoid over-doing it, and you'll see great
results soon.
 
#16
I know this is the BG forum, but I was pretty hardcore into weightlifting when I first began focusing on DB . . . and it negatively affected me. I just couldn't grasp the concept of allowing my arm to just fall dead against the strings for bowing.

I can't lift anymore due to back/neck issues, but I did lift for many years . . . and other than the above, it never affected my bass playing one way or the other that I noticed.
 
#17
joe vegas said:
weight training and general body conditioning have no deleterious effects on your ability to initiate extremely fine-tuned, microscopically subtle hand movements in the art of music performance.
the urban myth of "dude, yer gonna get so huge and bulky that, uh, you won't be able to play bass.." is exactly that. many classical/jazz musicians, as well as surgeons, have embraced and extol weight training as part of their health routines.
anything done to ridiculous excess is of course not what's being discussed here. a regular routine of weights, cardio and cross training will improve your coordination, speed and stamina while likely adding years to your life. i trained hardcore for 12 years during a period i was playing remarkably well, while i was shedding a ton on my bass. got profound benefits from both.
start your program, pace yourself, expect some soreness while healing from weights days, avoid over-doing it, and you'll see great
results soon.
Click to expand...

My experience exactly as well. I've done some pretty serious weight training at different points in my life and it did not at all affect my bass playing negatively. Of course my playing didn't get any better because of it either:D
 
#18
Lee Moses said:
I know this is the BG forum, but I was pretty hardcore into weightlifting when I first began focusing on DB . . . and it negatively affected me. I just couldn't grasp the concept of allowing my arm to just fall dead against the strings for bowing.

I can't lift anymore due to back/neck issues, but I did lift for many years . . . and other than the above, it never affected my bass playing one way or the other that I noticed.
Click to expand...

I'll admit, I have no DB experience so I can't say there wouldn't be an effect there.
 
#20
Lee Moses said:
I know this is the BG forum, but I was pretty hardcore into weightlifting when I first began focusing on DB . . . and it negatively affected me. I just couldn't grasp the concept of allowing my arm to just fall dead against the strings for bowing.
Click to expand...

I think those that are inexperienced with arco have this problem, lifters and non lifters alike.
 

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