Till the skinny/fat guy sings, or a program for an opera singer?

[Bailante]

Hi there!

It is a curious case here, and maybe collective wisdom would help me to find the way

I am 33 (feels like 35 at times), 195 lbs, 6' 4". I used to lift in 20s for a few years (and that's probably why I am not 170lbs, as it used to be, though that happened painfully slowly). I did not get too far on that pass, and stopped about 7 years ago due to career demands. Now I am looking for a way to -
1) get a bulkier presence (in a shoulder width sense, no problems with growing a belly here), another 10-20 lbs of muscle would really not hurt - as my roles are mainly kings/knights/etc. AND
2) get rid of that second chin which seem to have found its way there, rather permanently lately.
You would be surprised how looks started to matter with up-close cinema broadcasts coming to ...Opera.

Yes, I am an Opera singer. While this means that you loose 3-4 lbs in weight during the performance (mostly water I suppose), and are exposed to a 5-6 hours per day running around in rehearsals, while screaming at the top of your lungs - there is also a common knowledge in the profession, that states:

3) You can not have even a hint of valsalva maneuver while doing things (we train for years to get a fragile balance, for hitting those high notes, involving a Partial Version of this maneuver, to have just right amount of air pressure when singing, apparently it is easy to disturb with vigorous excercise).
4) You can not over-strain (and that is to lock it too much) - belly muscles (no crunches for me) and neck collar muscles (neck and its base). Both of which are heavily involved in unrestricted breathing and sound production.
So there is a twist right there.

Obviously running, yoga, swimming, etc. comes to mind instantly. And I've done a bit of each, with the results of dropping to 185 lbs in no time, quite a bit of fatigue (aerobic-like job + aerobic-like stress of singing in front of 2,5k crowds + aerobic-like workouts) and - of course no hopes for adding any muscle with any of these. I must say, at this point I do have a fair impression why Pavarotti just gave it all up and went for it.

For now that sounds like a puzzle without a proper solution. I've read through lots of stuff around here and its all a bit confusing. Though remnants of 10 year old knowledge tell me that what I need are squats, and dead-lifts, and bench press - and with weights which would compromise the "no neck/belly/breathing" strain conditions above, limiting me to 5-10 reps. And with good intensity.

But maybe someone would have an idea/workplan in mind which could help shed some light on a possible way to build a routine, keeping all of the above in mind?

[dazlittle]

No advice i'm afraid, just popped in to say you could be my twin, I was bang on 195Lbs this morning @ 6'4" :-)

[Bailante]

No advice i'm afraid, just popped in to say you could be my twin, I was bang on 195Lbs this morning @ 6'4" :-)

Everything is possible, even though I am more of 20% body fat atm.

For now I've started Fierce 5 Novice (been couple weeks), but with way 50% lower weights, to be able to control breathing. Not sure if there is a way to make it work like that, eventually.

[Black Sunday]

No help other than to say Chris Dickerson was a champion body builder and an opera singer.

When he was young his singing coach suggested weightlifting to strengthen his chest and lungs http://www.davidgentle.com/ironindex/dickerson.htm

Singing national anthem st induction into BB hall of fame

[ErinML]

I have a question. Are you saying that as an opera singer, you can't have defined abs or chest muscles because it interferes with your ability to preform? I'm curious because in my 20s I wanted to be an opera singer and ultimately didn't pursue it. I knew there were physical as well as diet restrictions, I just never knew the details.

Also, good luck on your fitness journey! I hope you find something that fits for you.