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Pumping Metal: Midnight Mob Bassist and Fitness Guru Carly Quinn Discusses Diet, Exercise Routines and NASM Certification

Recently, we emailed with Carly Quinn, bassist for New York-based rockers Midnight Mob, to discern how health and fitness factors into her musical lifestyle!

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Somewhere at the crossroads of punk, metal, blues, and soul you’ll come across New York-based rockers, Midnight Mob, who manage to easily mix both classic rock influences and modern elements into their own groovy musical concoction. Their latest EP, Honest Brutal Glorious, has been garnering the band all kinds of new fans and they continue to gig and tour in support thereof. Recently, we emailed with bassist Carly Quinn to discern how health and fitness factors into her musical lifestyle!

Why and when did you get into fitness in the first place?
Quinn: I joined a gym when I was 17 years old but really only went to socialize. I got really into fitness after my first semester away at college. I got back and needed to lose the keg belly. I have been into to it ever since. I am currently a NASM certified trainer and work at a gym when I’m not rockin’ with Midnight Mob.

What about exercise, health and fitness makes you take it seriously?
Quinn: I just love the feeling of being strong. I really love pushing my body to its limits and beyond them many times as well.

Weights, cardio, calisthenics, CrossFit, MMA… what’s your jam?
Quinn: Variety is the spice of life and I love a little of everything! Deadlifts are my favorite, if I could do them every day I probably would. I also love Boxing, Plyometrics, and good old fashioned HIIT (high intensity interval training) routines on the treadmill.

Describe your weekly routine and/or an average workout for you?
Quinn: My weeks alternate with week “A” consisting of 6 switching days of total body circuits one day and pure cardio the next day. Week “B” is more focused on different muscle groups and is only 5 days at the gym, example: Monday: Chest and core, Tuesday: Hamstrings, and Back, Wednesday: Delts and calves, Thursday: Quads, Glutes, and core, Friday: biceps and triceps.

What music gets you extra pumped when you’re exercising?
Quinn: Doo Wop is what gets me pumped on cardio days, on lifting days I need something epic like Iron Maiden, Turbonegro or The Creepshow.

Do you ever listen to your own band’s music when working out?
Quinn: I do listen to new demos we’ve been kicking around, and have probably listened to our new EP Honest Brutal Glorious a few times too.

Being a touring musician, how do you stay fit on the road?
Quinn: Best thing for anyone who travels is to invest in a resistance band. They’re easy to travel with and very versatile. I have a little 30 min total body routine for when we’re touring. Plus rocking out on stage is the ultimate cardio workout!

Some people go Vegetarian and Vegan while others slam steaks, whole poultry farms, and a kitchen sink in regimented 6-meal sittings. Where does your diet sit?
Quinn: I’m actually vegan so I love me some veggies and good stuff like that. I also use Organic Vegan Meal shakes for when I’m on the go, but when I get to cook I love making quinoa salad, veggie burgers, and broccoli lots and lots of broccoli.

Supplements, yay or nay, and why/why not?
Quinn: I try to stray away from supplements as much as possible. Although many of them are great and do enhance your fitness journey, they are more often than not littered with neurotoxic chemicals such as acesulfame potassium and sucralose. I am however a big fan of mixing herbs into my teas and definitely take a B12 supplement since I’m vegan.

Morning, noon, evening, night… when do you like to exercise? Does it even matter?
Quinn: I recently have gotten into the habit of working out around noon and I love it, mostly cause the gym is empty at that time.

How do you find your healthy lifestyle impacts your music and/or live performance?
Quinn: It definitely helps to not feel winded during a live performance. Plus it’s a huge help when it comes to moving gear around – those cabs are heavy as hell!

Do you balance the “rockstar” lifestyle with being fit/healthy? Or is it 1 or the other for you?
Quinn: There’s a definite balance, but most things in life require balance and since both are important to me I make them work.

Check out the song “Swing On”.

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