When you embark on a course of acting classes, you will probably be aware of the emotional and intellectual challenges that lie ahead. Acting is all about being able to put yourself in the shoes of a character and convey their thoughts, passions and motives to an audience through your voice and gestures.
However, it’s also important to ensure that you are physically ready for the challenge. Obviously if you intend to specialise in musical theatre or action films, you will need to be very physically fit. However, a good standard of general fitness is beneficial for all types of acting, no matter what the roles or genre you are drawn to.
Here’s why it matters, and some tips for maintaining your fitness.
Why is keeping fit important for actors?
Being fit is not about looking good: after all, stage and screen productions need actors of all shapes and sizes. Acting is physically demanding even if you aren’t dancing or performing stunts. It requires long hours on your feet as you rehearse and perform, constantly shifting your position and body language as you tell the story and respond to your co-actors.
If you are performing on stage you might be required to act and perform in eight shows a week for months at a time with no respite. Filming for screen requires long hours on set, with each scene usually shot several times. This requires physical strength and stamina.
Being physically fit and flexible also helps you to be a more expressive performer, as you can move with ease, grace and energy as you deploy body language and positioning. Furthermore, physical fitness improves mental cognition and clarity, helping you to remember lines and respond more naturally and spontaneously to your acting partner.
Exercise is also a great tool for stress management, which can help with nerves and navigating the rigours of an acting career.
How to stay fit as an actor
Fitting in a daily gym session or run might be impractical if you are juggling acting with another job or raising a family, but aim to exercise at least two or three times a week. Include a mixture of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
There are lots of YouTube videos with 20 or 30 minute workouts that you can follow at home without any special equipment, other than a mat and maybe a couple of dumbbells.
Make sure that you choose a form of exercise that you enjoy, otherwise you are unlikely to stick at it consistently.
If you struggle with motivation, find a workout buddy to keep you accountable to your goals and make your exercise sessions more fun. If you have difficulty finding the time, try high intensity interval training (HIIT) which involves short but intense bursts of exercise followed by a recovery period, and can be just as effective as a longer workout.