Shoulder blade squeezes are a great warm up exercise for drummers. To do these, sit or stand with a straight back and squeeze your shoulder blades together. This helps to strengthen your back and open your chest. Start slowly with these and hold for increasingly longer amounts of time.
You will also want to stretch your hands by making a fist. Gripping the fingers tightly and then open them as far as they will go. Do this several times for each hand to strengthen your grip as well as your forearms.
Your shoulders need a lot of flexibility to play the drums. Help warm up your rotator cuffs by holding your arms in front of your with palms facing up. Then roll your shoulders so the palms face in and then out. Begin this rotation slowly and carefully focus on your shoulders.
Drummers also need flexibility in their hips and legs. Stretching the hip flexors can ensure that your feet and legs are fully engaged in your performance. Sit with the ankle of one leg on the opposite knee and gently press down on the knee of the raised leg. Then switch sides.
You can’t forget about your core. Drummers need strong abs to keep their bodies upright and engaged while playing. Crunches can be a great physical warm-up exercise for drummers.