Tenor Emmanuel Lawler is a big fan of the gym and finds a sauna works wonders for his voice before a performance, he tells Patricia Weston
Are you a regular exerciser?
I'm a member of two gyms, so I have to go to at least one. I live in Castleknock and am a member of Westpoint.
I've also joined a gym near where I work. I don't have a set routine because my job is not routine, so I work out whenever I can.
What's your workout at the gym?
I mainly concentrate on aerobic fitness rather than weight-lifting. I enjoy working out on the aerobic machines and just watching the TV in front of me - you don't need to think to exercise.
Sometimes, if I have a performance in the evening, I'd go to the gym beforehand, just to have a sauna and a steam, because it's great for my voice. I sing without an orchestra, so I need amplification, which puts huge demands on the vocal chords so the steam helps.
Have you tried any other activities?
I've taken swimming lessons because I can barely float, but I found I couldn't keep it up because of my work schedule. This is one of the drawbacks of the job.
I had a student who was a big fan of yoga. He found the breathing technique in yoga similar to breathing for singing and found it very beneficial, so I'd consider trying it.
Would you consider yourself fit?
Yes, I'd say I'm fit. The perception of the classical or opera singer as fat, unfit and middle-aged is false. Things have changed, and producers and directors don't want to hire someone like that. It's an exhausting business, so you have to be fit. If you're on stage every night, it can be very tiring. When you are on tour you don't get back to your hotel until around after midnight, then you're on the road again at 5 a.m. and this can go on for weeks.
Are you a healthy eater?
Yes and no. I eat a lot of healthy stuff, but when you're on tour performing, you grab food wherever you can and end up eating late at night. I love a good takeaway, but I don't have a sweet tooth and I enjoy the odd drink.
Have you any unhealthy habits?
Occasionally I might break out and have the odd cigar, especially around Christmas.
Are you easily stressed?
I'm very lucky because I don't even get nervous or stressed when I go on stage as I've been singing from such a young age.
Emmanuel Lawler performs in Bel Canto - Can Belto with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra on Saturday, August 28th at the National Concert Hall. For booking information call 01 417 0000.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Try some Pilates movements to strengthen and open out the muscles of the upper and lower back and chest.
This exercise mobilises the muscles of the spine and upper back. Stand with feet hip-distance apart, keeping your knees soft and slightly bent. Roll your shoulders forward and move your chin towards your chest. Allow your arms to fall towards your toes and gently curve the body forward. Hold this position for five seconds. Inhale as you raise your body back up and breathe out when you return to the standing position. Repeat slowly five times.
To stretch out the chest muscles, stand tall with feet hip-distance apart and keep your knees soft. Stretch out your arms in front of you with your palms facing up. Breathe out as you stretch your arms up and out to the sides and breathe in on return, keeping your abdominals contracted. Repeat five or six times.
• Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.