Proof that Rock Band is the healthy option.

[jawillroy]

I don't recall seeing any overweight drummers... I have a few pro drummer friends and they're generally pretty fit.

Grant Hart was pretty roly-poly until he got out from behind the kit. But I agree, most of my drummer friends have been total stick insects.

[StuddiedApollo8]

Frankly I'm not surprised that Rockband can help a person loose a small amount of weight, I mean most people I know stand when using the guitar and mike ( I do as well), plus, we usually are moving around with the beat while we play. Drumming can help too I mean just because you're sitting doesn't mean you can't cook up a sweat. I mean even when I'm playing guitar and I challenge myself to play at harder difficulties I end up a little sweaty at the end of playing.

[rkbdgurl]

jawillroy, I like your description of "stick insect" drummers. Made me laugh...

We should start tracking our weight loss....any of us that might have over indulged (ever-so-slightly) during the holidays. It might be fun. I'll start. Ha!

[rkbdgurl]

Update:
Since I was the last to comment, I thought I should at least report back on progress made.
I have not changed anything since January as far as eating...excercise etc. However I do play my drums for longer periods of time, everyday, and mostly on expert now as opposed to hard. It's a pretty big workout often leaving me soaking wet with sweat. I think it has worked. I have lost 7 lbs. Without ever trying. I Win

[RiffRaff4711]

I wasn't really trying to lose weight, but yes... 3-4 hour expert pro drum sessions every other day or so have caused me to lose around 20 pounds. Upper body strength is pretty clearly increased also. At one point I was helping to rationalize my e-drum kit purchases by comparing its cost to what I've spent on barely used gym memberships over the years.

[HardRockerBrazil]

Whoa.
I TOTALLY need to buy a drumkit.

[nascargo19]

So we know that the drums help you lose weight. Does guitar help you at all? I know playing some of the harder songs (TTFAF, Chaotrope, anything with fast alt-strumming) tend to get me a little sweaty.

[rkbdgurl]

Maybe if you jump around while you're playing. I can't imagine trying to do that while playing ttfaf though.

[defdog99]

Even if it's just sweat weight, its still helping the body.

[Iceman71421]

If you are playing guitar with a speedy alt strum you are definitely burning more cals than just laying on the couch but it has to be pretty negligible. Dont go eat pizza and then say "oh I just played an hour of expert guitar, I'm golden."

On the other had as stated before the cals burned from drumming can vary greatly depending on the song and speed. If you are playing a chill song that is slow and not much kick then you aren't doing much. If you are playing a thrash metal song that leaves you winded at the end that is gonna be burning some significant calories if you play for a solid length of time.