Being Gig Fit (Like Match Fit in football)

[Chienmortbb]

As someone of a certain age, and having Bronchiectasis (think COPD but not self-inflicted) I am interested whether any of you do anything to stay fit enough for gigging?

 

 

[chris_b]

During lock down, to keep match fit, I set myself a task, to learn and chart every song on every Stevie Wonder album.

 

I did that, and then started on Bonnie Raitt and Keb Mo albums.

 

That kept my brain and fingers going, but nothing really compares to the physical effort required to gig.

[tinyd]

I only play gigs about once per month so as well as whatever practicing I normally do, I make sure that I run through some tunes at a fairly decent tempo a few times coming up to the gig just so I don't cramp up on the night.

[dclaassen]

I also don’t gig regularly. I try to play about 30 minutes or more per day…lots more if I do have gigs coming up. I alternate between a band’s set list, other stuff I know, and new material.

[Franticsmurf]

Musically, I'll try and play for about an hour a day most days - whether it's structured practice, recording or noodling (usually a combination of all three). My main band rehearses most Sundays, and that's about 3 hours of playing. 

 

Physically, I'm training for a trek in India this year so at the moment I'm fairly fit as I'm exercising regularly (I'm just back from a morning on the the Brecon Beacons). Our main festival gig every year tends to go on for up to 4 hours, plus I help out with stage management and sound. I'm usually there the day before an the day after to help out with construction and breakdown of the stage and for the last couple of years I've played in a support band on the same day. All of that tends to be  very tiring. For the last couple of years I've treated the main gig like a day of trekking - plenty of fluids and energy snacks to keep me going. 🙂 I don't know whether it helps, but I never drink and play. 

[Len_derby]

In terms of the physical side; I walk a lot, swim in open water for 45 minutes once or twice a week, do balance exercises and some tai-chi movements. Nothing that costs much money! At just-about 67 I can no longer lift and carry things like I used to, but that’s inevitable. 

[ossyrocks]

All of us in my band are in our 60’s.
 

It is physically harder than it used to be for me. To keep up general fitness, I try to walk every day, usually about 3 miles, but sometimes up to 4. Then maybe once a week my wife and I will do a longer one, up to 7 or 8 miles with a break halfway.

 

The night before gigs, I’ll not have much alcohol, and try to get an early night. On the day of the gig, we all try to give ourselves plenty of time to get there and set up without rushing around, it’s important to feel relaxed before we play. Obviously, lightweight gear helps too. 
 

I tend to practice for an hour or two every evening, and will focus on the band numbers in the run up to gigs and rehearsals.

 

Rob

[Delberthot]

Ive always been a believer in having to be physically fit to gig regularly. 

 

You often have to lift x number of times your own bodyweight in gear, set it up, stand for up to 4 hours playing a 10lb bass with a break in the middle to replenish your energy by beasting into the buffet, strip everything down, lift it back out to the car/van, drive home then unload it all into the house/garage.

 

I'm coming up for 50 and want to gig for as long as i can so I'm at the gym 2-3 times a week. I walk all day at work and go walking at the weekends. Not to mention eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep. 

[bassbiscuits]

I do regular stretching which I tailor to exercises before a gig. For me it’s rolling my shoulders back and forwards, turning and rolling my head and neck from side to side, stretching out my forearms, wrists and hands, and also less obvious ones like rotating my hips and lower back which can get stiff after a long time standing with a bass around my neck. 
 

I do these before a gig but also try to build them into daily life anyway. As someone who spends too much time at a desk on a computer I find helping stay supple is easier than trying to fix problems later. 

 

Edit: Also in terms of singing - warm ups on way to gig (usually involving singing along to something in the car on the way) and longer term just trying to sing something regularly so gigs don’t feel quite as exhausting.

Edited 6 hours ago by bassbiscuits

[Lozz196]

I’ve got to the point where I pretty much can’t carry stuff aside from my bass, and bending down to plug in cables etc is difficult. So my “stage moves” don’t require much, aside from trying to get out of the way of our lumbering clumsy singer. 

[Steve Browning]

I confess that I do nothing really. I do walk regularly but that's not specifically to stay in shape for gigs. 

 

I gig pretty regularly and don't have any mobility issues. I use lightweight gear now, but more because it's more convenient rather than lighter. 

 

As for practise, I haven't really ever practised, other than to learn new songs. 

 

I'd probably be half decent if I'd made any effort at all. 

[casapete]

4 minutes ago, Steve Browning said:

I confess that I do nothing really. I do walk regularly but that's not specifically to stay in shape for gigs. 

 

I gig pretty regularly and don't have any mobility issues. I use lightweight gear now, but more because it's more convenient rather than lighter. 

 

As for practise, I haven't really ever practised, other than to learn new songs. 

 

I'd probably be half decent if I'd made any effort at all. 

4 minutes ago, Steve Browning said:

Pretty much me to a T as well!
 

Maybe sounds a bit odd, but gigging itself has been a main part of my exercise for decades.

Like you I also walk a fair bit, with regular walks around where I live. I’ve never fancied gyms

though, or any regular sports stuff. 

At 67 I’m still lugging my own stuff to gigs, although lightweight kit has been a godsend to

me. I’ve noticed the day after a gig has felt worse than it did a few years ago, but nothing I

can’t cope with at present. Hopefully I’m good for a few more years yet, although 5 gigs this

week may prove otherwise. 😆

 

[Cat Burrito]

I was 5 stone overweight in 2009 and amongst other things, getting cancer was my wakeup call. I was mid 30s and just not looking after myself. I lost the 5 stone through getting active and watching what I eat and bar an occasional fluctuation of less than a stone, have kept it off for over 15yrs now. Being a live performer is a huge motivation for that. 

 

Don't be in competition with anyone other than versions of yourself - goals should be realistic and there is always someone fitter / stronger. My shoulder is knackered, my feet play me up and I am clearly feeling my age some days but watching what I eat and staying active help. I recommend some sort of weight resistance for anyone getting older. Pre-Covid, I was mid-late 40s and doing big tours around Europe, keeping up. Don't be a hero, go for lighter basses and lighter amps - it's a lot easier now than when I started playing and amps weighed about the same as a small car. Also, in a band setting, if you can't carry the kit, make sure you step up in other ways (like driving) so people can see you are doing your bit. Older band mates usually don't mind stepping up to cover the areas others struggle with. It's give and take when you work with decent people. 

[TimR]

I run marathons - but don't like to talk about it...

 

I'd suggest getting into kettlebells. 

 

You only need one to start with and there are loads of routines on YouTube. Something with a deadlift, a swing, and a clean and press. Those 4 movements will build core strength and give you a good cardio workout at the same time. Throw in a suitcase carry and at least a 20minute walk a day (although I appreciate you have breathing issues). 

 

We all need to have functional strength to carry gear, load in and out and stand for a few hours. 

[Elfrasho]

I'm 43, 6"2 and in decent shape, but I'm gubbed the morning after a gig! Dont expect it to get easier.

[Owen]

I play weekly in church and thought I was relatively match fit with regard to playing. I took a 13 hour light ents TV job today. It turns out that I am not. The problem with the church stuff is that I am making up my own lines using chord charts and vibing with the (really good) drummers. So it is all good. However, today was much more involved with regard to reading. There was one solo fill high up the neck which I managed to nail down in practice but when the red light was on I made THE most spectacular dogs dinner of it. There is zero chance that will ever be broadcast. So my reading is certainly not match fit. I also did some Double Bass work there. I have not played DB in anger for a few years. WOWZERS, it is hard physical work. Actually getting the instrument to respond in the way I want takes a lot more hand strength than I have at the moment. I mean, I did stuff, but I am knackered now and I am going in for round 2 tomorrow. So I guess I am going to have to practice. Ugh.

[gjones]

My band hasn't done a gig in 5 months, when we do start gigging again (if we ever do), we'll need zimmer frames to get to the stage

 

[Lozz196]

In my current band, due to both different style of music and my now glass back I finish a gig barely sweating, however really aching the next day.

 

A marked contrast to my last band where as the music was harder after a 30min set I’d walk off stage with it feeling like someone had tipped a bucket of water over me.

[3below]

Four gigging fitness aspects seem to affect me.  All mentioned in the thread by others:  1. The physical bass playing, I wonder how many notes I play in a night, until recently I rehearsed for about 8 hours weekly, hand strength, back strength no problem. 2. Concentration, I now find being 'on it' for 3 - 4 hours increasingly hard, pa problem solving then instant switch to musical stuff,  blunders happen due to concentration fails.  3. Moving kit, even with lightweight kit (and the pa is not) it is all too easy to damage yourself - rotator cuff injury anyone. 4. Driving 2 hours to a gig in the daylight can be very pleasant on a sunny day.  Driving back in the dark after doing the business is no longer fun.   The  result is that I am usually shattered the day after, at nearly 67 age is catching up despite pretty good fitness.  Hence, my decision to scale back my musical efforts - I do not need 30 gigs per year.

 

Edited 34 minutes ago by 3below

[JapanAxe]

For me, the hardest part about gigging now is the late nights. If I have a gig where I'm going to be late to bed I try to have a lie-in on the morning and/or have a 30-40 minute snooze around 4pm. Last autumn I did a gig where I was giving the sound guy a lift and had to get him home the same night/morning as he had a lunchtime gig the next day. I didn't see my bed till 4am and I was basically wiped out for 2 whole days after the gig.

[3below]

Just now, JapanAxe said:

...  have a 30-40 minute snooze around 4pm.....

 

This has made a big difference to my ability to function on the next day 

[TimR]

Recovery does take longer. Making sure you get full 8 hours sleep each night in the week should help. 

[peteb]

I try to lift weights three times a week. Unfortunately, I can't do the cardio that I used to (play 5-a-side, run, etc) due to a knackered knee and I could do with losing maybe a stone or so, but that's hardly unusual at my age (early 60s). The gear I use is lighter than it used to be, but not particularly lightweight compared to a lot of stuff around these days. I can still lift a Berg 212 cab (rather than an 810) at the end of the night, so no real problems. 

 

The issue I have is that even though I gig regularly, I would happily play twice as many as I'm doing currently! I certainly felt more 'match fit' as a player when I was gigging pretty much every week!