One thing that isn’t talked about much or taught by drum teachers is warming up your body before playing. And am not talking about warming up on your drumkit with paradiddles and other routines (of course it’s a given that you should do that). But am referring to actually warming up your body the way joggers and ball players do by stretching and other exercises. Is it necessary? Well, I think it depends on what you plan to play on your drumkit. If it’s a chill country songs at a slow tempo then no it is not. But if you’re going to be jamming to some fast paced Sepultura tracks or playing double pedal at 200 bpm then you definitely should.
For me personally, what I do is I stretch my arms and legs and run around for like 5 minutes or do rope skipping for about 100 reps. I focus especially on the heels and go up and down on the balls of my feet to really get them ready for some fast kick pedal action. Another main focus is to stretch the wrists. I think its an important routine to incorporate into your drumming lifestyle. So the main takeaway is to focus on cardio and stretching– those are the essentials you need before every session.
Playing drums in a lot more physical compared to other instruments like guitar, piano etc. It can be a full body workout since you’re using all your limbs and many fast paced songs will have you sweating in no time. So you should rightfully prepare for it to avoid injuries and also to increase your endurance and strength so that you can play for a longer period of time which is important when youre doing a live gig.
For example, Travis Barker can be seen running on his treadmill before Blink 182’s live performances. Last year he ran a 5k with his wife Khloe Kardashianbefore kicking off the event. It’s not easy being Blink-182’s drummer as he has to play hard and fast for almost 3 hours so warmups and being physically fit is essential. Danny Carey the drummer of TOOL even created a “drum bike” which is essentially a stationary exercise bike that has a drum pad where the screen should be.
Another drummer who prioritises fitness and physical training is Neil Peart who does a mix of cycling, swimming, yoga and calisthenics and weight training in the gym. “A twenty-minute bicycle ride across town, with my workout gear stuffed into a backpack, is a decent warm-up.” “Another important aspect of fitness is diet, of course. …our meals always offer a healthy assortment of nutrients. Lots of fish and chicken, steamed vegetables in multiple colors, and a comforting carbohydrate. I also believe in a daily multivitamin as a supplement (and single malt whisky, when the day’s work is done).”