Guitar related stretches and workouts

[jklotz]

I posted in another thread about being sidelined for 14 days due to an overuse/over practicing injury by the doc.

She said after this heals (back injury), the only way to fix it long term would be to go to the gym and do specific exercises that strengthen these and surrounding/opposing areas. Rowing machine for starters.

So this got me thinking. For you serious players, like me, who spend hours practicing and performing, do you have a workout you do to keep your body in shape specifically for guitar? Stretching routine maybe? I have zero interest in becoming a gym rat or getting "buff", I just want to make sure I can still play in 20 years.

[erhino41]

Everyone should have some sort of routine to strengthen the core. It doesn't take becoming a gym rat or anything. It is best to go to a gym, as they have high quality specific machines that allow one to workout efficiently and quickly, but there are many effective exercises that can be done at home.

I've never personally had guitar playing cause any sort of over use injury or extra ordinary fatigue. Pay attention to your posture closely while you play. Even after healing and strengthening the core muscles, poor posture may still lead to misuse injuries.

[619TF]

Not really a gym workout but I try to do a quick stretch routine before I sit down to play. I got it from Tony Polecastro on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/3qYstWz7o4U

[jklotz]

Not sure why the mods moved this to open mic? It is guitar related.

Somebody posted this one over on the other thread:

https://youtu.be/CLjtSyuE11I

[jklotz]

Originally Posted by 619TF

Not really a gym workout but I try to do a quick stretch routine before I sit down to play. I got it from Tony Polecastro on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/3qYstWz7o4U

This is good stuff. Thanks for posting.

[aknow]

Playing guitar adversely affects the lower cervical nerve roots causing over-firing of chest muscles, and weakening of Rhomboids and other upper thoracic muscles.
Perform prone rhomboid facilitation exercises, neck extensions, and rubber band exercises for finger abduction. Wrist flexion and extension exercises.

[Silly Moustache]

Hi, I've had a lot of health issues over the last couple of years - lost a lot of weight and muscle tone.

I found I had a lot of trouble with hands, back, neck and shoulders that hadn't bothered me before.

My GP referred me to the gym and I now go three times a week - not to get "buff" as somebody else remarked (although doesn't hurt!) but I've realised that as you age you need to work harder to keep fit and strong.

However, some of the weight training I did over taxed my weakened, skinnier hands.

With advice from trainers and my masseuse, and some research, I made this.

[619TF]

Originally Posted by jklotz

This is good stuff. Thanks for posting.

Sure thing. Let us know how it works out for you (no pun intended)!

[jklotz]

Saw this:

https://www.guitarplayer.com/techniq...ay-even-better

[Cypress Knee]

Many years ago Spoon Phillips introduced me to a chiropractor whose NYC practice clientele were mostly professional musicians. The ailments he treated were almost always due to repetitive motions leading to chronic overuse of certain muscles and joints. Various instruments created different levels of stress in different areas of the body.