I think exercise is an important topic to discus so, I’m posting this topic to see what people think about their exercise routines, and witch one's they think benefit musicians the most. I personally like the core ball work out in Christi Taylor’s Solid Gold step. They discuss moves that help strengthen the wrist.

In the last few months I have started working out seriously for the first time in my life. I love it! I run 3-4 miles and lift weights for about 45 minutes 3-4 times a week and I feel like it has strengthened me and my playing in so many ways. It has done wonders for my psyche (always good ) and has helped limit the number of routine little aches and pains I get when I am playing a lot. It has also helped with my sense of balance and core and really playing from my center. I personally feel like any sort of excercise is beneficial for any and all of us.

I think that yoga can be great for musicians. First of all, it's a good way to get your whole body moving in a coordinated, purposeful way. I always just feel better afterward (I agree with justanotherviolagirl about the aches and pains). Also, the mental benefits are significant. In stressful situations (like auditions!) I've found that even my little bit of yoga experience helps me stay calm and gives me the mental discipline to deflect the negative thoughts that try to distract me and throw off my focus.

I agree with Joel Gibbs and justanotherviolagirl. As a middle aged musician, I have started to have some of the typical health issues: lumbo-sachral arthritis (lower back) from spinal compression caused by sitting too many hours for too many years, high cholesterol, and stress induced symptoms. I now start my day with 20 minutes of yoga and in the late afternoon I do 30 to 45 minutes of cardio and light weights. What a difference!

I have a hard time making my own playlists to get me into workout mode, but I just found a fun site that has playlists provided by professional trainers. You can also submit lists or search lists provided by members. Go to www.championo2cool.com and check it out.

As a woman...and on the smaller side, I find exercise greatly improves my strength and endurance. Recently, I got into a heated argument with a male clarinetist who stated that exercise wont help one's playing. I told him that he cannot speak for women...and has no idea how much heavier an A clarinet is for a smaller woman. He was 6'0 250 and I'm 5'3 130. Again, the average woman is not as strong in the upper body when compared with the average man. We have to work to keep our upper bodies strong.

Weightlifting, pilates and cardio is a great trio for me. Weights help in the forearms and shoulders, pilates for core - you find muscles in your abs you didn't know existed plus helps with posture. Cardio is fantastic and I find it gives me greater stamina as a wind player.

Again - some players don't find exercise useful (some of the greatest wind players I've know have been horribly out of shape men). On the opposite end, some of the best female wind players I have heard are also in incredible shape. My theory from experience, female musicians will find great benefit to their playing by staying strong through exercise.

I totally agree with Liangjie about pilates, lifting weights, & cardio. I have had back/posture problems for years, & have been somewhat worried about the longterm effects of having to sit in rehearsals for so long. I started using the Winsor Pilates dvds a few years ago, & it vastly improved my posture. Even my teacher at the time noticed! I can't run to save my life, so I try to work in some cardio, walk whenever I feel like it, take stairs & such. Any of this would be useful for breathing as well, from what I've read & heard.

rlflute - another great source for cardio is swimming, which also gives you a total body work out. Running is hard on the body - especially if you are out of shape, slightly overweight (kills the knees) or are prone to side stitches - which I am.

With swimming,you don't realize you are working as hard as you are until you try to drag your body out of the pool.

I'm glad to see that someone finally brough up swimming. It works the upper body for arm, shoulder & neck strength; the lungs for the breathing issues and the legs for ..... when we aren't sitting. When I am having breathing issues it is usually because I haven't been swimming in a while. It takes less time then a cardio then weights because you are doing cardio and strength all in one shot.