The size of your biceps is directly related to how well you DJ.
Ok, well maybe not your biceps … at least, not just your biceps. Your abs and glutes factor in, too. Think about it. How many hours can you push those buttons and scratch those records before your wrists start aching or your back needs cracking?
You need dexterity in your fingers, wrists and body in order to do fader-work, scratches, or punch the air with your fist for hours on end. The question, though, is which exercise will get you the maximum benefits for the least amount of investment? Let’s face it. Who wants to spend a whole load of time and money buffing up when you could be DJing instead?
the perfect solution
Just Isaac is a Hip Hop and R&B artist, lyricist and producer who’s performed all over the world and collaborated with lots of fellow musicians, like Geto Boyz and Kim Davis. His music lives on the top 40 charts. Just Isaac has also won six boxing titles, including a Golden Glove. On top of all that, his love for boxing led him to open a fitness facility called Mobile Boxing so he could help kids and adults at all ability levels become their best.
If anyone knows how to ease the effects of stress on a body and become strong, it’s Just Isaac. I had the opportunity recently to ask JI for tips on how DJs can improve their dexterity.
Just Isaac’s top 3 tips
1. Strengthen your wrist, forearm and hand.
- Kneel on a mat in front of a bench.
- Lay your arms across the bench;
- Do curls with 5 to 10 lb dumbbells;
- 5 sets of 10, increasing weight from 5 to 10 lbs;
- Alternate sets – palms up, then palms down.
2. Get to the core.
- Front plank on an exercise ball.
- Extend your body over an exercise ball (on your stomach);
- Slowly roll back and forth keeping your body completely straight and balanced on the ball.
3. Push it up.
- Do finger push-ups … anywhere, anytime.
- Do body push-ups to strengthen your back and arm muscles.
and more…
Some DJs carry a broken fader around with them. Pinch it with your thumb and index finger making sure to make it a wrist action. In other words, just move your hand, not your whole arm.
Don’t have any broken equipment lying around? No worries. Place a rubber band around your thumb and index finger. Practice stretching the elastic apart, then relaxing it.
You’ve got the equipment, might as well use it. Create a beat that increases 1 bpm every 4 bars. Then do your reps along with the beat.
And one last crucial tip. Whether you can spend a lot of time toning or not, there’s one thing that you absolutely should do every time you DJ. Warm up. Do a few stretches, breathe deeply and stay loose.
Let me know how you’ve been keeping fit.
