12-17-2007, 09:59 AM
From the Globe Life section of today's Globe and Mail
POWER CRUNCH: ROB BAKER, LEAD GUITARIST, THE TRAGICALLY HIP Stretching the joints to rock a limber physique
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SABITRI GHOSH Special to The Globe and Mail My goal "My goal is to stay limber and to reduce stress, to be able to get on stage and not hear my body, and to keep up with my family." My workout * Yoga lesson once a week for an hour and 45 minutes. "Linda [O'Neill, Mr. Baker's yoga teacher] has suggested it's working 'in' rather than out. I perform shorter sequences throughout the week as my body squawks at me, but nothing quite as thorough as we cover in class." * On the road: "I try to go for a long walk in each place we visit, safety permitting. . . . Keeping up my yoga practice on the road will be much easier for me now that Linda has an instructional CD." * At home: At least once a day, walk on the treadmill for about an hour, or walk outside with friends or the family dog along a 6.5-kilometre route. "I have begun making plans for twice-weekly sessions - core strength and conditioning - with a personal trainer." My lifestyle "On the road, my hours are quite different. Each day has a set structure, though a lot of the day is my own. My workday usually begins around 3 or 4 p.m. and ends around 1 a.m. Sleep is sometimes elusive when travelling by tour bus, so I do need to be protective of what time I do get for sleep.
"As for food, generally speaking we avoid truck stops and fast food. I like to eat a light meal at least three hours before a show.
I often eat something after a show, but options at 1 a.m. are less than perfect nutritionally.
"During a writing/recording phase, we work intensively for 12 to 16 hours each day. While it's difficult to make time for exercise, we do eat well. At home, I keep normal hours and I do quite well with sleep and nutrition." My motivation "My desire is to not allow inertia to get the better of me, as I saw it get the better of my parents. . . . Getting myself out the door is sometimes difficult - justifying taking the time away from writing to do something for myself - but I'm always grateful once I'm there." My workout anthem Everything from Louis Armstrong to David Bowie to Led Zeppelin.
"If I'm on the treadmill at home, I enjoy watching a concert DVD." My challenges "My different work phases each have their own challenges. I also try to schedule things around my family's availability so that I can get some time with my wife and son, as I do spend a lot of time away from them." The critique Yoga instructor Caron Shepley is impressed with Rob Baker's commitment to fitness. "In an industry that can encourage poor health habits," she says, "it's great to see that Rob is on the right track." Performing will take its toll on 45-year-old Mr. Baker as he gets older, says Ms. Shepley, corporate director of the Toronto-area fitness firm Personal Best. "As you age, you gradually lose muscle mass, strength and flexibility," she says. "This can lead to fatigue and aching joints." While walking and yoga are great easy-on-the-joints forms of exercise, Ms. Shepley says it's good Mr. Baker plans to start working on his core with the help of a trainer. "Core conditioning is an important aspect of fitness that can help with injury prevention," she says.
It will also help counteract the loss of muscle mass.
During those long days in the recording studio, breaking for an hour-long walk may actually help Mr. Baker and his bandmates in the creative process, Ms. Shepley says. "Studies show that aerobic exercise stimulates the brain, improving decision-making and focus." Since he's an avid walker who loves music, Ms. Shepley suggests he pick up an iPod with the Nike+ system. "That way, Rob can track the distance that he walks while enjoying his favourite music." Even a standard pedometer might be useful, she notes, since people need to walk 10,000 steps a day - workouts combined with daily movement - to achieve good health.
POWER CRUNCH: ROB BAKER, LEAD GUITARIST, THE TRAGICALLY HIP Stretching the joints to rock a limber physique
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SABITRI GHOSH Special to The Globe and Mail My goal "My goal is to stay limber and to reduce stress, to be able to get on stage and not hear my body, and to keep up with my family." My workout * Yoga lesson once a week for an hour and 45 minutes. "Linda [O'Neill, Mr. Baker's yoga teacher] has suggested it's working 'in' rather than out. I perform shorter sequences throughout the week as my body squawks at me, but nothing quite as thorough as we cover in class." * On the road: "I try to go for a long walk in each place we visit, safety permitting. . . . Keeping up my yoga practice on the road will be much easier for me now that Linda has an instructional CD." * At home: At least once a day, walk on the treadmill for about an hour, or walk outside with friends or the family dog along a 6.5-kilometre route. "I have begun making plans for twice-weekly sessions - core strength and conditioning - with a personal trainer." My lifestyle "On the road, my hours are quite different. Each day has a set structure, though a lot of the day is my own. My workday usually begins around 3 or 4 p.m. and ends around 1 a.m. Sleep is sometimes elusive when travelling by tour bus, so I do need to be protective of what time I do get for sleep.
"As for food, generally speaking we avoid truck stops and fast food. I like to eat a light meal at least three hours before a show.
I often eat something after a show, but options at 1 a.m. are less than perfect nutritionally.
"During a writing/recording phase, we work intensively for 12 to 16 hours each day. While it's difficult to make time for exercise, we do eat well. At home, I keep normal hours and I do quite well with sleep and nutrition." My motivation "My desire is to not allow inertia to get the better of me, as I saw it get the better of my parents. . . . Getting myself out the door is sometimes difficult - justifying taking the time away from writing to do something for myself - but I'm always grateful once I'm there." My workout anthem Everything from Louis Armstrong to David Bowie to Led Zeppelin.
"If I'm on the treadmill at home, I enjoy watching a concert DVD." My challenges "My different work phases each have their own challenges. I also try to schedule things around my family's availability so that I can get some time with my wife and son, as I do spend a lot of time away from them." The critique Yoga instructor Caron Shepley is impressed with Rob Baker's commitment to fitness. "In an industry that can encourage poor health habits," she says, "it's great to see that Rob is on the right track." Performing will take its toll on 45-year-old Mr. Baker as he gets older, says Ms. Shepley, corporate director of the Toronto-area fitness firm Personal Best. "As you age, you gradually lose muscle mass, strength and flexibility," she says. "This can lead to fatigue and aching joints." While walking and yoga are great easy-on-the-joints forms of exercise, Ms. Shepley says it's good Mr. Baker plans to start working on his core with the help of a trainer. "Core conditioning is an important aspect of fitness that can help with injury prevention," she says.
It will also help counteract the loss of muscle mass.
During those long days in the recording studio, breaking for an hour-long walk may actually help Mr. Baker and his bandmates in the creative process, Ms. Shepley says. "Studies show that aerobic exercise stimulates the brain, improving decision-making and focus." Since he's an avid walker who loves music, Ms. Shepley suggests he pick up an iPod with the Nike+ system. "That way, Rob can track the distance that he walks while enjoying his favourite music." Even a standard pedometer might be useful, she notes, since people need to walk 10,000 steps a day - workouts combined with daily movement - to achieve good health.