EISENHOWER REC CENTER
  THURSDAYS, 1:30-2:20pm



Click HERE to see the robots dancing to Do You Love Me

Is that Thelma and Louise? No--it's Paulette and Sherron, happily headed to drumming class!

Drumming is a fun, low impact exercise with cardio benefits which can be enjoyed by women and men of all ages and abilities. Participants perform rhythmic movement to music, and it doesn't matter if it isn't perfect!

Because of my background, some of my drumming routines will incorporate a little line dance. I hope many of my current line dance students will give this activity a try, and I look forward to meeting new students too. Think of my class as "beginning drumming," because I'm beginning, too--we'll be learning together. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and take your ball, tub, drumsticks, and water.

EQUIPMENT

Everything you need is available at very reasonable prices online at Walmart.com and Amazon.com (see descriptions and links below), as well as at some local stores.

New to drumming? Click HERE to get a general idea of what we will be doing (we are not doing this particular routine).

A note about the equipment: if you invest and decide that drumming is not for you, don't worry. Remember that the ball will deflate and is easily stored, or you can use it for core strengthening with exercises or as alternative seating at a desk. The plastic tub is great in the garden or for storage, or in the trunk of your car to corral all those grocery bags while driving home from the store.

If you want to buy or sell equipment, let me know and I'll try to match you up.

* * * * *

Balls and tubs come in assorted sizes and colors, but you may pay more for some colors of both. Be sure to label your equipment, since much of it looks the same--it's fun to personalize everything with stickers or decals or paint--get creative! 

Another word about the exercise balls. Below is a photo of three sizes. I think the blue ball is 65cm, which we bought according to his height for Peter's back exercises. It's fun to drum on at home, but it's a little awkward for transporting to and from class. The pink ball in the middle is 55cm, and is partially inflated (see note below). The rose ball on the right is 45cm, and is fully inflated--note that the rose ball is significantly smaller. If you are 5'5" or taller, it may be to short if your standing, but it might be a good choice if you will be sitting.

You want a ball that is a comfortable height for you when it's resting in your tub. I can and do use all of these at home, but carrying the blue one around is more awkward, and the rose ball is a little small for me and sinks into the tub when it loses air. This might help you decide.

Fully inflated and sitting in its tub, the top of the blue ball is about 39" high, the top of the pink ball is about 35" high, and the top of the rose ball is about 33" high. For comparison, a standard kitchen countertop is 36" high. Stand at your countertop wearing the shoes you'll use for class. With your wooden spoons, see see if the counter is a comfortable drumming height for you--remember you'll be raising and lowering your arms a lot and reaching right, left, and across. 

NOTE: The links below are for your convenience, but you are not limited to these choices.

1) TUB

Walmart.com

Amazon

A 17-gallon plastic tub with rope handles is an excellent base for your ball while drumming. The straighter the sides, the more stable the tub as base. The tub also provides a space for holding your own water bottle(s), towel, ID, keys, etc. during class. A bungee cord is helpful to strap your ball to your tub when transporting it to/from class.

I ordered my tubs from Walmart.com. You will pay shipping unless your order exceeds $35, so go in with friends to buy supplies and save money. I ordered tubs @2 for $15, but the accompanying invoice is for $11.70! Note that your base can be something other than a tub, as long as it holds your ball and is a good height for you.

2) BALL

Walmart.com

Amazon

Looking around in Cindy's class it seems that most students use the 55cm size, but a 45cm ball is a good choice for shorter drummers and for those who will be sitting. These are anywhere from $6-15 depending on size and color. Look for a ball that comes with a tool to remove the plug (it looks like a divot repair tool used in golf).

Here's the recommended method for inflating your ball.

• Step 1: when it arrives, take it out of the plastic bag and let it come to your ambient room temperature--this will take an hour or two.
  
• Step 2: inflate to about 80% (just guess), and let the ball sit for 24 hours.
  
• Step 3: complete inflation and insert plug.
  

3) DRUMSTICKS

Yes, wooden spoons work perfectly well, but if you continue this activity you will want to order drumsticks so your spoons are available in the kitchen <g>. The 2, 5, and 7 series are popular. The differences are in the tips, but all of them work fine for cardio drumming. All are around 16" long.

Currently I am using 5B which have a rounder tip and are a slightly thicker diameter because I find them easier to grip in my mildly arthritic hands. Drumsticks can be wood or plastic, and can come in colors.

Thick sticks that are blunt on both ends were developed for cardio drumming--they're a little more expensive.

Drumsticks are cheaper in bulk, so you may want to go in with friends to buy them or to have for spares in case you break them. You can customize them with paint or tape.

* * * * *

SIDEBAR #1: Click HERE  to see a link to the foot tambourine I have just in case you are interested in adding a little more percussion to class <g>

SIDEBAR #2: Click  HERE  to see a link to one kind of carry strap. Peter uses this for his big 65cm ball. If you're handy, you can make your own (and sell them to your fellow drummers??), or just make a loop in a bungee cord or strap to give yourself a (stretchy) handle to grab when you hook it around your ball.