Should Singers and Speakers Do Weight-Lifting Exercises?

Weight-lifting exercises can be beneficial or harmful to the voice. It depends on how and when you do it.

What are the benefits of weight-lifting for singers? If done with proper form, it can improve these areas...

* Physical health-- just like any other physical workout, weight-bearing exercise builds strength and endurance, increases blood flow, moves excess mucous out and is in general good for physical stamina.

* Mental and emotional well-being-- it releases endorphins and lifts the spirits. It makes you feel good to lift weights, clears your head and increases positive attitude.

* Breath capacity-- it causes deeper breathing, increasing lung capacity and releasing toxins with the exhale. It also increased abdominal muscle tone, which is necessary to support the diaphragm as you breathe.

* Physical appearance-- it increases muscle tone and definition.

How can weight lifting hurt singers? If done incorrectly...

* This kind of exercise can over-strengthen small muscles surrounding the vocal apparatus, causing a lack of flexibility around and in the larynx... very bad for the voice!

* It can cause fatigue, compromising breath support and control.

* It can tighten the throat, neck and shoulders-- all of which must be free and flexible for singing and speaking.

* Tightening the glottis while holding the breath, which trainers not familiar with vocal issues, can cause vocal damage!

Here are some guidelines I find useful to protect the voice when lifting weights:

* Limit the amount of weight you lift! If you push yourself to the limit, you can't help but strain your voice

* Don't hold your breath! Holding your breath is what tightens the glottis and can lead to damage. Instead, exhale as you lift.

* Move your head a bit side-to-side while lifting so as to limit "freezing" the muscles of neck and shoulders.

* Stretch out your muscles before and especially after you lift

* Don't lift weights right before singing... give your throat, neck and shoulders time to relax. 12 hours after lifting before you sing is a good idea.

* Find a personal trainer who trains SINGERS and knows how to protect them.

The reason weight lifting can be harmful for vocalists is mainly the pressure people put on the vocal cords when they hold their breath to push the weights. So simply don't grunt or hold your throat closed when lifting. There is one more big caution I would give: When lifting weights you are correctly advised to stiffen the back of your neck and shoulders to protect your neck. Do that when you lift weights... but not when you use your voice. The upside-down "T-zone" of neck and shoulders MUST relax when you sing or speak.

If you can keep from tightly clamping your throat together during weightlifting, and can remember to relax the tense and muscular areas you build in neck and shoulders when you use your voice, you can lift weights in a way that is safe for your vocal apparatus. I lift light weights myself. However, I would not do serious weightlifting the same day as performance. Do light aerobic exercise instead.

For more essential information about the voice, contact:

Judy Rodman -singer/songwriter/producer/vocal instructor, developer of... Power, Path & Performance? vocal training - Learn from a pro who's been where you want to go!

Website, vocal training products and blog: http://judyrodman.com newsletter: http://judyrodman.com/newsletter-signup

Judy Rodman has over 30 years of professional experience as a session singer, award-winning recording artist, stage and television performer, a multi-genre hit songwriter, a studio producer and vocal consultant, and a highly sought-after voice teacher.