Stretching, exercise, physical fitness. What do you do to stay in shape?
Can you share any specific daily stretches, strength training, exercise regimens, or gadgets that help keep you ready to go during a tough shoot and ready to work next when you are in between gigs?
Recovery after a hard day is vital, and in addition to an Epsom salt bath or soak in the hot tub, owning a TENS machine, a foam roller/and or handheld recovery stick, massage gun, freezer cold packs, microwavable heat pack can be very helpful. There are tons of other cool tricks, but I own all of these (and many others I've forgotten), and they come out at various times to help get me ready for the next day.
I am not always smart enough to remember my own advice, but being proactive is smart. I had weekly massage appointments on a grueling hand held show in ABQ, and it was the best part of my week, and perfect for getting me ready for the next week. Obviously things like yoga, pilates, weight training, stretching, can all play a vital role in a long career, and minimizing the effects of a tough day.
Here are some links to things - not that I'm recommending these specifically, only to give you an idea of what I'm talking about in case it is helpful.
Back Massager TENS Unit Microwave Heating Pad Massage Stick Foam Roller Massage Gun Hot & Cold Pack
••Editors Note: The Op does not endorse any of these products or where they are purchased. Please do your own due diligence, use your best judgement and purchase where you see fit.
Fitness is one of my top priorities to be able to do the physical work of operating, to have the endurance that long hours require and have the “serenity” and sense of humor to deal with the stress of time constraints and working with high strung personalities.
I’ve taken yoga on and off for years so I have a routine for daily stretching and some yoga poses — doing a “vinyasa” of down dog, up dog, planks. Using a foam roller to loosen up my back and legs. I have weights at home which I use for a couple of hours a week — handy when working long hours.
To strengthen my core and recover from some injuries — I’ve done private Pilates classes for several years which included work on the reformer and Gyrotonic machines. My teacher also gave me a home routine that only requires the foam roller and an exercise “ball — but most of the home exercises don’t require equipment which is handy when traveling.
Swimming has always been one of my favorite cardio workouts as well as a recovery workout from various pulled muscles and even surgery.
When I can’t get to a pool, I like to walk and bike ride. Running has been too hard on my joints.
I don’t really like going to a gym but when I was on location for long periods of time (like in Atlanta) I did join a gym with a pool which was wonderful — they also had yoga classes — helped me organize my weekends around healthy activities.
During the pandemic I took Liz Cash’s online exercise course that she designed for camera operators. I highly recommend her classes and private consultations for work related physical issues — since she was formerly a camera assistant — she knows how physically demanding working as a camera operator can be and has developed a great program. She has programs for dealing with injuries as well as preventative program. She has led classes for IA ICG and the SOC. Here website is: https://www.lizcashpt.com/
I love this question because I’m a terrible example. I’ve done Steadicam for 26 years and never worked out in a gym. I hardly ever stretch. My warm up is grabbing a lollipop and putting the rig on for a few minutes before a take. I change into shorts and T-shirt for a shot and then change back to pants and button down shirt. What’s wrong with me right?! My only exercise was and is skateboarding and surfing, that’s it. I will say that it helps me to put the rig on during prep to “wake up” those Steadicam muscles that have fallen asleep.
As for gadgets and doodads, I’ve only ever sought them out for handheld.
For an active HH shot that eventually settles, I would sometimes use a Steadicam Moses pole that I’d hold in one hand as I operated off the matte box. When the shot settled, I’d let that pole rest on the ground and support the front of the camera.
The Man-ssiere, an over the shoulder furni-pad holder. It strapped on like a forward back pack and held a furniture pad burrito on which I could rest the elbows and thus the weight of the camera.
Great for the resting moments in a shot, but bumpy if you engage it during walking or running.
Ergo-Rig. My friend Jesse Feldman let me test out a prototype on People vs OJ. It’s a great device for saving your back on those long-take shows.
My go to mode is just good ol’ fashion camera in the hands, either holding the matte box or handles. Bend your knees and cross step.
