Last updated on March 20th, 2025 at 05:29 pm
Beyoncé and an Olympic sprinter, what could they have in common? More than you’d expect. As with athletes, they train for endurance and power, but they take their bodies through some rigors.
A two-hour concert can burn as many calories as a 10-mile run, but how do singers build that kind of stamina? Let’s break down their training secrets — how they build strength, endurance and precision for every performance.
Contents
- 1 The Power of Breathing: Core Strength & Diaphragm Control
- 2 Vocal Warm-Ups & Cool-Downs: Just Like Athletes
- 3 Endurance & Stamina Training: Why Singers Require Athletic Strength
- 4 Incorporating Unique Vocal Training Techniques
- 5 Nutrition & Vocal Health: Learning About Fueling the Voice
- 6 Mental Focus & Performance Training
- 7 Conclusion: The Voice as an Instrument
The Power of Breathing: Core Strength & Diaphragm Control
Athletes and singers both use breath control to expand their capabilities. The diaphragm is the key to a powerful voice, and thus a steady, controlled flow of air.
Endurance Training: Just like swimmers train their lung capacity through breath control, singers use similar techniques to enhance vocal stamina.
Core Strength: The diaphragm, abs and obliques are all important for holding long notes and vocal power.
Yoga & Pilates: Many vocalists also include these in their regimen to enhance breath support and increase lung power.
Research indicates that opera singers have nearly twice the lung capacity of the average person, enabling them to hold powerful notes for extended times.
Freddie Mercury was renowned for his breath control, which enabled him to hold powerful notes without straining.
Vocal Warm-Ups & Cool-Downs: Just Like Athletes
No athlete is supposed to start a game or a competition without having stretched their body first — singers are also required to do the same for their vocal cords.
- Using lip trills, scales and sirens is a good way to get the vocal folds ready for a performance.
- This ensures that the voice does not get strained or fatigued after the performance.
- Some of the humming exercises are very effective in terms of maintaining the flexibility and health of the voice.
Missing the vocal warm-ups can enhance the chances of vocal fatigue by 30%, which is detrimental to the overall quality of long-term performance.
A real-world example: Beyoncé follows a strict warm-up and cool-down routine to keep her voice strong throughout lengthy tours.
Endurance & Stamina Training: Why Singers Require Athletic Strength
This means that performing a two hour concert is as demanding as a long distance race. In order for singers to maintain their vocal performance, they need to have tremendous endurance.
- Cardio Workouts: They enhance lung capacity and stamina through activities like running, swimming and cycling.
- Hydration & Recovery: As a professional athlete drinks water to avoid cramps, singers constantly hydrate to protect their vocal cords.
- The ability to sustain the voice without tension to achieve a full and smooth voice quality.
Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones receives training from a professional kickboxing coach to keep up his energy on stage, and it just goes to show that stamina is something that singers definitely need.
Famous example: To sustain her voice throughout demanding tours, Adele works with vocal coaches.
Incorporating Unique Vocal Training Techniques
Professional singers often use unique coaching approaches in their vocal training to improve their singing skills. Some examples:
Breath Control Exercises Underwater: Some vocalists, e.g., Ariana Grande, have been said to do breath control exercises to increase their lung capacity and better control of breath.
The Silent Singing Technique: Pop stars like Celine Dion have been known to use silent singing’ as a way to exercise the voice without overstraining the vocal cords.
Altitude Training: High altitude or oxygen deprivation simulation is also used by some artists like Bono of U2 to improve breath control and lung power.
All these techniques and others help the singer’s strength, stamina and accuracy to guarantee the best performances.
Nutrition & Vocal Health: Learning About Fueling the Voice
Athletes follow strict diets in order to enhance their performance and singers do the same for their vocal health.
– Don’t eat dairy and caffeine to avoid mucus build up.
– As with any muscle, hydration is key, keeping the vocal cords lubricated.
– Honey and ginger teas are often used to help sooth vocal strain.
Mariah Carey has admitted to drinking only lukewarm water with honey before a performance to maintain her vocal elasticity.
Celine Dion adheres to a strict diet and sips lukewarm water before a performance to preserve her vocal range.
Mental Focus & Performance Training
As athletes train for big games, singers train for big stages as well.
Meditation & Visualization reduce stage fear for performers.
Stage presence training makes one comfortable with a large crowd of fans.
Improv games enhance the ability to think on your feet during a performance.
Research reveals that listening to binaural beats can improve a singer’s focus and lyric recall.
Lady Gaga uses mindfulness and imaginative games to get ready for her performances, which are often very energetic.
Conclusion: The Voice as an Instrument
Singing is not just about the vocal cords, it is an art, a sport, and a severe test of human fitness. Like professional athletes, singers also spend years training for improving their breath control, vocal strength and the focus of their attention so that they are able to give their best in the performances.
Next time you watch a concert, take a closer look. For singers, the stage isn’t just a place to perform — it’s where they prove their strength. Every note is a test of endurance, every breath a display of power. They’re not just entertainers; they are vocal athletes, pushing their voices beyond limits, night after night.