staying in shape and guitar playing

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at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

staying in shape and guitar playing

what do you guys do to stay in shape? im pretty sure playing guitar doesn't burn that much calories. what do you like to do to counter act all that time just sitting in a chair?

are there any physical activites or sports that you stay away from because you know it will affect your hands/guitar playing negatively? do you avoid anything that puts strain on the hands?

i've been trying indoor rock climbing lately. i know that directly after climbing, guitar playing is challenging. but i'm worried about that it will have some negative effect in the long run.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 13:34:37

Pingaloka

Posts: 42
Joined: Jun. 9 2011
From: Granada, España

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

Personally I think Yoga is the perfect exercise, even more for a guitar player.
It will stretch muscles, your back, very important for guitar players.
It will relax both body and mind. If you have the chance, try it!.
It is specially good for people that have back problems, as myself. Tried everything, doctors, etc, only Yoga has made my back recover pretty much.
If you're interested I would recommend "Iyengar Yoga" as it is very precise and is
focused on the body. Not all that shakras business and all that...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 13:44:34

aleksi

Posts: 528
Joined: Nov. 10 2008
From: Helsinki, Finland

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

I recommend stretching. It doesnt take much time or space. Otherwise Im too lazy to do anything except benchsports.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 14:37:33

elroby

Posts: 142
Joined: Mar. 25 2007

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Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at May 5 2012 4:10:49

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 15:30:19

britguy

Posts: 712
Joined: Dec. 26 2010
From: Ontario, Canada

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

ve been trying indoor rock climbing lately.

Hope that doesn't @#$k up your nails, Leo?

I used to climb in the Welsh mountains when I was a teenager. Really ripped up my nails.

Nowadays (60 years later) I work hard on the farm and swim several times a week for an hour or more. However, sometimes I find it hard to play longer than 10-15 minutes continually, so I have to stop and rest. Arthritis in the hands doesn't help either. . .

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Fruit farmer, Ontario, Canada

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 15:46:57

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

yoga and any form of stretching in general is a great idea. i've done a little of it before in the past and liked the mental aspect too. but will it burn enough calories? i might try it again either way for the stretching.

i still do weight lifting and haven't noticed any negative impacts. flamenco dancing is a good idea but i'd like to get from flamenco, more specifically the dancers, once in awhile to stay sane.

i do indoor rock climbing so it's not as tough on the hands or nails. and i tape up my nails anyways. i'm more worried about what might happen internally with my tendons, muscles, etc.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 16:27:27

rombsix

Posts: 7816
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

Seems to me like your prime concern is calorie burning. Have you been eating too much pork lately? I recently heard it is quite fattening and very disgusting.

(sorry - couldn't resist)

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 16:52:43

kudo

Posts: 2064
Joined: Sep. 3 2009

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to rombsix)

quote:

Have you been eating too much pork lately? I recently heard it is quite fattening and very disgusting

LLOOLL

Lets just not contaminate this thread with pork

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 16:58:41

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to rombsix)

pork is not involved.

but even with a good diet... between being on the computer, playing guitar, and driving, i'm basically sitting around all day...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 17:12:19

rombsix

Posts: 7816
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

but even with a good diet... between being on the computer, playing guitar, and driving, i'm basically sitting around all day...

I hear you mate. I need to go back to doing some physical activity too, or else I'm doomed! Doomed I tell ya!

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 17:17:07

Tomrocker

Posts: 404
Joined: Apr. 18 2010
From: Italy

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

Working out is something essential and no matter how careful you are, suddenly a nail is broken and you feel like..

Hence, i try to moderate with the limited time on my hands just not to stop the sports for the sake of the instrument at all so i go to the Gym twice a week and sometimes three days a week. Honestly, i don't practice guitar as i should. My teacher says that i'm not taking it seriously

but it depends on the timing ( playing at night is not always working) the social life ( Partner) , and neighbours

I do enjoy working out so much as it makes you feel so active and in shape even if i'd prefer sometimes to practice guitar and solve lots of issues to be a better player.

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This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 17:54:19

rombsix

Posts: 7816
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to Tomrocker)

About nails and sports - I've given up a lot of the sports I used to be involved in before getting into guitar. I used to be one heck of a goalkeeper or right-back in soccer, but that doesn't work much with flamenco nails. I've since switched to tennis which I really enjoy (when my backhand is working well). I also am consciously very careful about how I use my right hand in everyday matters. For example, I always put my keys in my left pocket because I try to avoid sticking my hand in my pocket and having the keys scratch up or break my nails. I also try to do things like opening/closing zippers with my left hand. That sort of thing.

But then again, I'm somewhat anal in general, so...

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Ramzi

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:00:54

aleksi

Posts: 528
Joined: Nov. 10 2008
From: Helsinki, Finland

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

but even with a good diet... between being on the computer, playing guitar, and driving, i'm basically sitting around all day...

ugh, your routine sounds like mine. Ramzi's the same.
I fooled my self two years that soon I'll start some physical activity, but it never happened

Just accept it boys, theres no slim future with the guitar. Its a bit like computer coding, you cannot run away from the pizza and coke.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:05:21

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:15:16

beno

Posts: 881
Joined: Nov. 3 2006
From: Hungary

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

I also am consciously very careful about how I use my right hand in everyday matters. For example, I always put my keys in my left pocket because I try to avoid sticking my hand in my pocket and having the keys scratch up or break my nails. I also try to do things like opening/closing zippers with my left hand. That sort of thing.

I also do that.

I've attended a primal school specialized on sports, so I swim for about 2 years, later I started to do wrestling (I mean the real one - not that american bullsh*t

) for 10 years or so and I almost got to olympics, but I played in basketball team as well.

Then I got touched by the guitar and stopped sport right away. It's been like that until october last year, when I started Squash.
I knew I almost don't have any spare time so I looked for something that burns LOTS of calories. This one surely does I can tell ya!

And it's fun!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:16:25

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

ramzi and ahmad, i just found the hambone thread and got the joke.

quote:

I do enjoy working out so much as it makes you feel so active and in shape even if i'd prefer sometimes to practice guitar and solve lots of issues to be a better player.

i think humans need physical activity and sunlight to be happy. i feel alive after a long run in the woods. this actually helps me feel motivated to play guitar.

the best is when i get in plenty of practice then i go work out without feeling guilty that i haven't practiced enough then i get to go back and play more. but this is rare because of the things you pointed out... neighbors, partner, house chores, etc.

about nails, i bet being in shape and healthy in general will help grow stronger nails. that and superglue.

quote:

Just accept it boys, theres no slim future with the guitar. Its a bit like computer coding, you cannot run away from the pizza and coke.

noooooo, i cant accept it! i'm going to go practice picado and do crunches at the same time.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:16:53

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to Guest)

quote:

So guys don't be WIMPS!!!!

i like that.

no, but seriously, i cant do anything that involves water. that's really bad for my nails....

quote:

later I started to do wrestling (I mean the real one - not that american bullsh*t )

you mean half naked men wearing children's costumes doing flips off of things to inflict pain on each is not real???

i'm going to have to look up squash. i don't even know what that is. does it involve the vegetable?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:20:10

aleksi

Posts: 528
Joined: Nov. 10 2008
From: Helsinki, Finland

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

I like this talking about sports. It makes me feel like Im almost doing them

But Leo, try to get your picados so fast that it makes you sweat, that should keep you fit.
Heres a video for motivation.....SPEED!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:33:14

britguy

Posts: 712
Joined: Dec. 26 2010
From: Ontario, Canada

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

i cant do anything that involves water. that's really bad for my nails

Don't tell me about water and nails!

I swim several times a week in winter, and every morning at 6 during the summer in my garden pool. I ALWAYS wear a skin-tight latex glove on my right hand ( even in the shower) to mitigate the nail/water damage. Provokes a few strange looks in the swimming pool, and comments like :" Why are you wearing a condom on your right hand" (No joke!). But it seems to work O.K.

Also wear think gloves when doing heavy manual work on the farm. Tha works well, also.

Most of my nail damage is either heavy playing or opening cabinet drawers, and there's always a tube of nail glue in my briefcase, and in the truck.

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Fruit farmer, Ontario, Canada

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:38:02

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to aleksi)

quote:

Heres a video for motivation.....SPEED!

i'm going to go out and chase a chicken and bang on some trash. that will help me follow dancers and strengthen my compas.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:39:25

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to britguy)

quote:

" Why are you wearing a condom on your right hand" (No joke!).

i also wear gloves when working on things like the car. and i avoid doing the dishes at all cost.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:41:40

kudo

Posts: 2064
Joined: Sep. 3 2009

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to Pingaloka)

quote:

Personally I think Yoga is the perfect exercise, even more for a guitar player.
It will stretch muscles, your back, very important for guitar players.
It will relax both body and mind. If you have the chance, try it!.

sweet! have you tried "hot yoga" ?how is it compared to regular yoga? I would love to try yoga one day for sure!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:48:25

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to kudo)

quote:

"hot yoga"

Kudo...that's the naughty Dance Floor routine you were going on about earlier....

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:54:42

mezzo

Posts: 1409
Joined: Feb. 18 2010
From: .fr

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

swimming pool

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"The most important part of Flamenco is not in knowing how to interpret it. The higher art is in knowing how to listen." (Luis Agujetas)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:55:13

Elie

Posts: 1837
Joined: Apr. 10 2010

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

I go jogging every other day and I walk alot in general ... well that's prevents me from getting fat I think

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 18:59:57

rombsix

Posts: 7816
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to Ron.M)

quote:

Kudo...that's the naughty Dance Floor routine you were going on about earlier....

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 19:06:33

Tomrocker

Posts: 404
Joined: Apr. 18 2010
From: Italy

RE: staying in shape and guitar playing (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

and i avoid doing the dishes at all cost.

Amigo i can't skip that, if i do, my wife will stop cooking and i will starve

_____________________________

This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2012 19:09:55