Cardio Drumming and its benefits for Adults, Kids and Seniors with Workout Playlist

Last Updated on June 14, 2021 by Danny

Cardio Drumming is one of the newest trends to hit the fitness scene. With so many videos popping up on social media about it, you might be wondering if you can do it too. Realistically, anyone can do cardio drumming. Seniors, kids, and even disabled people can participate in it. 

So what are the benefits you can reap from it? Let’s dive into cardio drumming and see what’s it all about, shall we?

What is Cardio Drumming?

Cardio drumming is an aerobic exercise that is more fun than any exercise you have ever done. You take a pair of drumsticks, an exercise ball, and a stand to place it on. You will then use the floor and the ball as your drum, beating them in rhythm to any song of your choice. You can substitute the exercise ball with other things, even an upturned trash can if you want to. Your whole body will be engaged, but you won’t feel like stopping because of how much fun it is.

One of the pioneers of cardio drumming would be Dr. Michelle Unrau, a scientist and an educator who has been working in fitness for over two decades. In 2002 she combined Taiko, a Japanese drumming form, with aerobics to create a new fitness routine that enhances the overall well-being of the participant. This is considered to be one of the very first instances of cardio drumming!

Cardio drumming has since taken many forms and has been growing in popularity ever since.

What Are the Benefits of Cardio Drumming?

Cardio drumming is not your typical exercise; it does not just promote your physical health. It actually helps enhance your overall well-being.

The most obvious benefit is, of course, the physical one. The workout engages all your muscle groups for a long time, and since it’s a lot of fun, you won’t be stopping early. Being fun also ensures that you are more likely to stick to it! Your heart rate will get high, and you’ll start shedding weight.

Your upper body will get sculpted, and your arms will get toned from the session. Even your lower body will also improve as you will be moving around a lot. You will also be improving your hand coordination. 

Cardio drumming also helps with emotional health. Beating rhythmically to the songs will help reduce stress, anxiety, tension, and blood pressure. You will be pretty relaxed and mentally calm after an hour-long session.

Cardio drumming also enables you to express yourself; this will give you emotional release and make you feel great. Working out as part of a group also helps you connect with others and promote self-confidence. 

Here are major benefits:

  • Weight reduction
  • Muscle buildup 
  • Better hand coordination 
  • Lower stress and pressure
  • Boosts self-confidence
  • Improves emotional health

Does Cardio Drumming Really Help Me Lose Weight?

Yes, cardio drumming can really help you lose weight. It is an intense exercise that gets your heart rate and breathing up. It engages multiple muscle groups in the body, from your hands and core to even your legs. You will be doing squats, lunges, and even dance around as part of cardio drumming. Your whole body will be vigorously engaged, and you will be breaking out a sweat in minutes.

Are you wondering how many calories cardio drumming burns off – Check here?

A study by Dr. Azar of Kinesiology at the University of Windsor in Canada found that you can quickly burn 12 to 13 calories for each minute of drumming. Therefore, cardio drumming can burn around 700 calories every hour. Incredibly intense sessions can even burn 900 calories! This is a higher caloric burn than activities like hiking and swimming.

Where Should I Do My Cardio Drumming Workout?

Pretty much anywhere. You only need a little space for cardio drumming. You can do it in your garage, in your backyard, or even inside your house. 

While doing it by yourself at home is perfectly fine, it is way more fun when you do it as a group. Go to your local gym or fitness club and see if they have any cardio drumming sessions! We promise you; it will be a fantastic experience.

What Equipment Do I Need?

You need very little equipment to start cardio drumming. A pair of drumsticks, an exercise ball, and an exercise ball stand are essentially all you need. No expensive equipment is required. All you have to do is start playing a fantastic song from a music streaming app, and you are good to go.

You could also play along with some cardio drumming videos on youtube. They are fun to watch, and you will feel more engaged playing with them rather than just listening to a song.

Can My Kids Start Cardio Drumming?

Yes, your kids can start cardio drumming. Pummeling on the exercise balls to their favorite tracks can easily spend all their excess energy. Schools are not physically engaging, so cardio drumming after school or on weekends can help them become healthy.

Cardio drumming is essentially an exercise disguised as a fun activity. Your children will reach their daily required exercise while having fun. They won’t be complaining and groaning; they’ll just smile, laugh and grin. 

Children who regularly exercise will eat better and sleep better. Their confidence will soar, they’ll be less likely to be frustrated, and they’ll even concentrate better in class. A healthy body equals a healthy mind!

Is Cardio Drumming Good for Seniors Too?

Yes, cardio drumming is good for seniors too. While they might not be getting trim and slim like young people, they will significantly benefit from this vigorous exercise. Please do not worry about stressing themselves too much, as classes for seniors typically involve slower music and softer sticks than normal classes. They also get frequent pauses and breaks to make sure they do not feel overwhelmed. 

In addition to improving their physical health, it also enhances their cognitive skills. Doing this exercise as part of a group also gives them a chance to interact with people and creates a fun shared experience.

By playing while sitting on their chairs or wheelchairs, even older people with weak legs can participate in this activity. 

So Which Is the Best Cardio Drumming System?


The Pound Rockout Results system is the best cardio drumming system there is. It is a highly effective system that will leave you energized and drenched in sweat. It comes with a pair of Ripstix; these are lightweight drumsticks that have been specifically engineered for exercise. 

You get five Cds with nine different workouts for you to jam to. There are also four 30 minute classes for you to enjoy. The only issue is that these classes tend to be very instructive and a tad boring. Also, all the songs are pretty old, and if you are into newer popular beats, that can be slightly disappointing. 

The best thing, however, is that there is a 45-minute live class included in this package. You will have to go to your local Pound center and avail the class. It is so much better than the recorded classes, and you will have loads of fun performing with the group. Just make sure to carry your own Ripstix as the classes tend to be packed, and they can run out of them.

You also get a fantastic B.A.L.A.N.C.E. Nutrition Guide with over 50 delicious and simple recipes. These will be a great help to anyone having difficulty planning a healthy diet. You also get a two-month fitness program that comes along with a weeklong kickstarter plan. The nutrition guide and the fitness programs help set you on the path of physical well-being. 

A kind of significant note, you do not get an exercise ball with this system.

What are Some Cardio Drumming Songs – Pick Some Good Music?

Music is vital if you want to have a successful cardio drumming session. The song must have a peppy and heavy rhythm that you can drum to. Classics from Led Zeppelin or AC/DC will do, or you can even use newer numbers like Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae). These kinds of songs will give you the best workout as you will be heavily engaged throughout the song.

Pro-tip, make sure that you create a playlist that lasts 15 to 20 minutes before you begin. Changing songs in the middle will introduce an unwanted break in your workout.

Here are our Top Cardio Drumming Classes you Should Join


There are probably a couple of gyms in your area that give great cardio drumming classes; however, we cannot possibly list the best cardio drumming classes for every city and every town. Instead, we are going to give you the best nationwide cardio drumming class you can join. 

Drums Alive is one of the pioneering forces behind cardio drumming’s popularity. They were among the very first ones to introduce these classes and have gyms across the nation. These classes include large groups with great instructors and amazing songs. You will be sweating and smiling in no time. Simply put, they have the best cardio drumming program you can get into.

For people who are not within driving distance of these gyms, virtual classes are also conducted. While they might be as much fun as the in-person class, these classes are still quite exhilarating, and your heart rate will be up!

They have classes for the general population to improve fitness along with programs that help improve the overall well-being of individuals. These well-being programs help promote physiological, neurological, emotional, social, and musical fitness, among others. There are also classes for seniors!

Oh, if you are a teacher and want to engage your students through cardio drumming, they have a special program for educators!

Is it Possible to Start Cardio Drumming at Home?

Yes, it is possible to start cardio drumming at home. Not only is it possible, but it is also actually way cheaper and uses far less space when compared to more traditional workout equipment. All you need are some drumsticks, a good speaker, an exercise ball, and a stand for it. Speakers with powerful bass and good sound will make the sessions fun; that said, you can just use your phone speakers and still have a good session. 

If you are buying new speakers just for this purpose, do not skim out and buy low-quality ones. If you aren’t enjoying the music, you might not enjoy the session. 

Here are Some Free Cardio Drumming Playlists you Should Check!!

Here are some of our recommended cardio drumming playlists you can follow. While we have only listed youtube playlists, you can find free playlists on Spotify too!


Classic playlist

This cardio drumming playlist is filled with classics. Most of the songs are from the twentieth century, and all have a unique charm to them. From The boy from New York City to Please Mr. Postman, they all have great beats for you to drum to. The rhythms are also not too fast, so this playlist is excellent for people who need a slower tempo. The slow rhythm combined with the classic songs makes this a fantastic playlist for seniors. 

Drum routine playlist

This is not just a playlist of songs; it is actually a playlist of various drum routines. It starts with a slow song to get you warmed up, followed by a couple of high-energy songs in the middle, before finishing off with another slower song to help you cool down. You can watch these videos on your TV and play along with them. 

High intensity playlist

Do you want to be sweating and puffing in minutes? Do you want to have an extremely intense cardio drumming session?

Then this is the perfect playlist for you. It is filled with songs with fast-paced rhythms like Beat it, We Will Rock You, and Billie Jean. There are also newer songs like Old Town Road and Uptown to help you cool down a little between high-intensity songs.

Here Are Some Cardio Drumming Routines Ideas!


Livingston county cardio drumming routines

This is a 15-minute long drumming routine that is great for people who are just getting started. It does not have any high-intensity sections making it easier for newcomers to follow. The songs used are Good Boy, Scream & Shout, and Play Hard. These are nice peppy beats to which you can play. Check out their channel, as they have many other fabulous routines too. 

Drums Alive – Party Rock

This is a highly upbeat routine that will have your heart beating like a hummingbird. The movements are fast and will engage all your muscles. You will be drenched in sweat in no time.

Let’s Dance – Uptown Funk

This is a nice cool-down routine to get your heart rate down and to begin recovery. The movements are much more relaxed than other songs, and you will not have to strain as much. It is an entertaining routine, though!

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