After 28 years in the fast-paced world of finance and banking, Kim McMullin, 67, was more than ready to embrace retirement—and some fun. While her first thought was to hit the gym, she took a chance on a cardio drumming class at Gladden Park Recreation Center in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida. From the moment she picked up her drumsticks and joined in the rhythmic, upbeat session, Kim was hooked—grooving to the music, laughing with new friends, and discovering a joyful, energizing way to stay active.

So much so, she’s been a cardio drumming teacher for four years. She and a friend Heidi Gibson (Two Girls Drumming on Facebook) alternate teaching at the rec center Tuesdays and Thursdays and at American Legion Hall in Gulfport, Florida on Saturdays.

Gimme a Beat!

Cardio Drumming is simple. Participants use drumsticks to hit exercise balls (often placed on buckets or risers) to upbeat music for a full-body, low-impact workout for all ages and fitness levels, improving cardiovascular health, coordination, stamina and mood. It can be done sitting or standing.

“It gets out a lot of stress and aggravation and helps with balance and cardio,” says McMullin. “And I’ve lost 85 pounds!”  McMullin provides yoga balls set in garden buckets and drumsticks.

“We tell them all you need is a towel and water bottle, but some people like to bring their own drumsticks or weighted Cardio Stix they can buy online,”she says. “We have four rules for class,” says McMullin, “Have fun—we are always laughing–two, no judgement, including judging yourself, three, never give up and four, there are no wrong moves. If you’re moving that’s enough.”

McMullin also says there’s also a social aspect to drumming. “Not only do we have a good time, but we’ve also participated in other events together like the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.”

Kathie Mitchell, a devotee of McMullin’s class says, “Honestly, I’d never even heard of cardio drumming until a friend convinced me to try it. I figured, ‘Why not? I’ll go once.’”

Fast forward four years later and Mitchell admits she’s also hooked. “The energy in class is contagious, and we have such a fantastic, supportive group of women. It feels more like a party than a workout. Kim keeps things lively with playlists full of classic rock jams—like Aerosmith and Bon Jovi—so every song is its own adventure, with moves that take us from drumming on the ball to thumping the floor or even the side of the bucket. Sometimes I forget I’m exercising because it feels like we’re all just dancing. The best part? By the end of the hour, I’ve racked up 5,000 steps without even realizing it.”

Experts Agree

“Cardio drumming is gaining popularity as an exercise that delivers a wide range of physical and mental health benefits,” says Mountain View, CA-based Porcia Page, 63, Balanced Body Educator, who has been teaching a variety of group fitness classes for more than 30 years.

“It improves cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, core strength and flexibility, while burning calories and relieving stress. The group setting makes workouts more fun, boosting motivation and fostering social connections. Fun rhythmic movements engage both body and mind, enhancing cognitive function and mental clarity like traditional group exercises like aerobic dance and kickboxing.  By making exercise enjoyable, cardio drumming encourages regular participation and supports overall well-being.”

Online Classes: Drum, Laugh, and Connect!

Imagine joining a lively drum circle from the comfort of your own home—no experience necessary, just a spirit ready for fun. San Antonio-based Johnny Hernandez (at left) has led a Zoom class called Drum Circle: Therapy Through Drumming for Senior Planet since 2020. Every Friday at 6 p.m. (EST), Hernandez brings together 40 to 50 enthusiastic participants who are ready to get a little exercise and make some joyful noise! (View upcoming sessions at seniorplanet.org/music.) 

The hour-long session starts with some gentle stretching, getting everyone loose and limber for the main event: drumming together to get a beat, then to the beat of legends like Bob Marley, Tito Puente, and The Beatles. The music is always upbeat—never too fast or intense—so everyone can keep up. There’s no need to be a drum pro; it’s all about feeling the rhythm and letting yourself go. Hernandez compares it to dancing: “If you know how to dance to a song, you can drum to the beat!” The result? Pure fun that gets everyone moving.

Hernandez says he usually shares one or two YouTube videos on making homemade drums from household items, and videos, stories and photos of live drum circles shared by other participants.

Students love sharing their musical creations—like one who showed off maracas she made from plastic bottles filled with rice, and another who crafted a drum out of a 5-gallon coffee can (below, right). One student’s family even surprised her with drums and percussion instruments after hearing about her new passion. These show-and-tell moments turn every session into a mini celebration.

Hernandez thrives on this energy! He’s always looking for ways to make class more interactive, whether it’s adding after-drumming stretches (by popular demand!) or brainstorming new ways for students to share stories and photos outside of class. Every week, the group leaves stress behind, forgetting about aches, pains, or worries—and replacing them with rhythm, laughter, and camaraderie.

Want to Drum Up some Fun?

Besides Senior Planet’s free virtual sessions, you can search for in-person drum sessions by looking up senior centers near you, or search online for locations offering Cardio Drumming or POUND® https://poundfit.com or Drums Alive® https://www.drums-alive.com/find-a-class.

Local YMCA branches have classes, sometimes under different names – for example the Steuben County, IN YMCA offers Cardio Drumming and Saginaw, MI, YMCA offers Pound.

Prices vary. Classes usually come with a gym membership, but prices can be all over the map for independent classes. For example, McMullin says 8 classes a month at the Gladden Park Recreation Center is $45: half that for 4 classes and donation only on Saturdays.

YOUR TURN

Have you tried drumming? Share your experience in the comments!

Jennifer Juergens Thomas has a lifelong interest in how people get together.  As a former AP reporter she covered feature stories and later wrote about conventions from Anaheim to New  Zealand as editor of Meetings and Conventions magazine. She was a public relations consultant for clients like the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives focusing on how and why people need to get together. An Orlando resident, she continues to contribute to Meetings Today magazine among other ventures.