HOW TO STAY FIT WHEN GOING LIVE
Musicians unwrap the secrets behind their fitness while touring for concerts for weeks
It’s not easy if you are a musician who loves to hit the road and perform live for many hours. One has to not only stay physically fit but also be quite particular about what one eats to stay fit vocally, too. Singer-actor, Farhan Akhtar, in a recent interview revealed that he does 100 push ups, just before he is about to get on the stage. “Working out is a ritual that I follow before performing on stage. The regime keeps the mind and body refreshed,” he was quoted as saying. From drinking lots of water everyday to following a workout regime, musicians across the country talk about the secrets behind their fitness.
YOGA SE HOGA
Singer Armaan Malik did more than 70 shows in and around the country in the last two years. And he swears by yoga, and adds that it is the reason behind his success as a live musician. “In my concerts, I sing and dance so I need the right energy level and stamina to do so. It’s not been easy for me. That’s why I went into [learning] basic yoga. I also undergo a bit of cardio regime where I sort my breathing out and have enough energy to perform on stage,” he says.
Sukhwinder Singh is another musician who does yoga everyday. “I practise yoga daily without fail and that’s why I stay so fit, and I am able to do so many live shows,” he says.
SLEEP WELL
It is imperative for music composer-singer Amaal Mallik to get enough sleep when he is on tour. “Firstly, performing on stage may seem easy but it’s one of the most physically and mentally exhausting things to do for anyone. (For me) it is mainly about the number of hours [of sleep] you get. You can sound great if you’ve slept well,” he says.
NO FRIED FOOD
Singer Guru Randhawa, who loves to perform live, as he feels live concerts are a way to establish a connect with fans, stays away from fried food and desserts, when on tour.
“I avoid cold drinks as well,” he says. Harrdy Sandhu too, has a similar diet plan when he is on a tour. “Things I mostly eat are a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibre,” he says. Armaan makes it a point to not eat anything “heavy” before a show, since it makes him “sleepy”. “I have a clear chicken soup and a small piece of bread (carbs) for energy. I strictly avoid all fried foods and cold stuff to keep my voice in best shape,” says Armaan.
GYM WORKOUTS
Musicians also believe in working out. Sandhu spends one and a half hours working out, while Randhawa’s gym session lasts for 45-60 minutes.
“It’s a mix of cardio and strength training exercises like pushups, pull-ups, and rigorous training on an empty stomach followed by a healthy meal,” says Randhawa.
There’s no specific diet that I follow when I am on tour, (but) I strictly avoid fried food and don’t usually eat much before the show. I avoid cold drinks as well. GURU RANDHAWA SINGER