Hello. I immediately took an interest in this topic seven years ago when I first began using weights in addition to my cardio vascular workouts.  I have done experiments with weight training and singing and have found that physical fitness is important to a singers voice. As a vocal pedagogue and having studied and exercised principles surrounding vocal physiology, breathing is the KEY to singing. The muscles of the entire vocal tract and system, including all extrinsic muscles of the larynx through to the back, shoulder/strap area, intercostals, legs, and buttock region etc. all play a role in a solid foundation of "support" or appoggio.  Singing on the breath demands vocal freedom; to rely on the flexibility of muscles which stem from nerve initiated responses to activate muscles both intrinsically and extrinsically within the larynx.  Over training or doing a weight program that dominates the vocal organ reflexes will invariably decrease the flexibility of the singing instrument and often affects the resonance capabilities as well.  No matter what anyone says, I have experimented and alternated enough times through my vocal training in combination with the gym to take accurate notes and make detailed assessments about the DIFFERENCES and CHANGES that occur with LESS and MORE weight training.  My rationale is this:  Do lighter weights and keep toned in order to sing with complete freedom.  Eat sensibly and in small grazing portions to keep the body in good working order and a consistency of energy at your disposal.  But ultimately, spend more time in the practice room and regular vocal training over weight training.  The stamina and fullness of the singing voice depends largely on the execution of the synergy between the larynx and diaphram, and all the muscle systems in between. Also, the cartilage and connecting muscles of the larynx are sensitive, finely organised muscles that rely on the even, fluid flow of breath in singing.  Weight training can infringe upon the sensations needed for singers to access for a fully supported instrument when the body is too taught, no matter how well you breathe in the gym.  ON the other hand, being overweight and unfit is also a detriment to singing. Keep the balance and simply LISTEN to your body and pay attention to how pysiological responses differ in your vocal and weight training. I think this topic is fascinating, especially for serious singers who understand the value of singing beautifully and looking good.  But the NEW SINGER, the person who appears on stage today, should be aware that looking good is as important to feeling good, but not to over emphasize the bodily physical structure in place of the proper physiological and mechanical responses in excellent singing on the breath.  You can read an article on MESSE DI VOCE at my homepage:  www.douglasrice.ca  I have a voice studio in Toronto and have come across this vocal-weight training topic with some of my male students especially who want to appear buffed and so forth.  Important to realize there is a balancing act and that if you want to sing, the organ of singing and breathing have to act synergistically together. I keep very fit and find that my voice is getting stronger and more vital with age.  Vocal atrophication stems from lack of use or improper use of the vocal apparatus. Anything creating an obstacle in the training and organic process of singing will invariably cause the voice to falter and disengage from the body.  djr.toronto(a)gmail.com

I have been lifting weights and doing cardio at a local health club for about three years.  It is possible to keep the air in without using the vocal folds as a valve, but you have to thing about it.  I would imagine, in my case, that playing brass instruments for many years makes this easier.  I keep my lips pursed when I am lifting a fairly heavy weight (ten reps with the fifty pound curl bar, for instance) rather like a person  swimming under water.  At the same time I keep my throat open much as if I was taking a deep breath.  I also avoid a lot of the grunting and growling that a lot of the guys in the gym do.   This seems to have worked for me.

 

If your body is your instrument it only makes sense to keep it in top shape.  I still have a long way to go, but it is all better than it was.   And I seem to have reversed some of the decline in both body and voice that had been ceeping in with age.  I sang a Schubert art song for a local Schubertiade Mondy evening and was heartened by the response of those at the event who know about sining.  I am 56 and firmly believe that getting back into some semblance of shape has given me a few more years of quality singing.