Is Singing a Sport?

A Deep Dive into the Definition, Demands, and Debate

Is singing a sport? We knowTaylor Swift has been to the Super Bowl. I wonder if Travis Kelce considers Taylor Swift's singing a sport?

Introduction: The Question That Strikes a Chord

"Is singing a sport?"

It sounds cheeky, even a little absurd at first. Most people, myself included, might instinctively laugh the question off because the two activities are complete opposites (...or are they?). Why are we so quick to jump to this conclusion without really thinking it through?

I'll tell you why. Think back on your high school days. Do you remember there being a lot of crossover between the football team and the people who sang in chorus? There certainly wasn't any crossover between the two groups at my high school. They were completely separate entities, from two totally different planets. The football team had things like cheerleaders, mascots, and locker rooms. Chorus had things like choir robes, altos, and crescendos. It's quarterbacks vs. quarter notes, and these preconceived notions are embedded in the way society things about sports and singing. They just don't belong in the same sentence, let alone actually classifying them both as sports.

But what if our instincts are misguided? Everyone can think of a concert they've seen or a televised performance of a singer who, at the end of their performance, is seen drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, the same way a tennis player is drenched in sweat and catching their breath after a vigorous match. For those who don't immediately dismiss the question and put some thought into comparing the two, the answer isn't as straightforward as we might have assumed at first. There are enough similarities between the acts of training to be a singer and training to be an athlete that it warrants careful consideration in order to reach a solid, confident conclusion.

And, lucky for you: you've found an expert in both fields to guide you through a meticulous analysis as we determine the answer once and for all.

Let's get objective here and level the playing field between the two (did I just make a sports reference?). Let's establish some ground rules so we know exactly what we're studying here by first examining the origins of the word sport, how singing stacks up, and why maybe, just maybe, it’s time to rethink what kind of activities qualify as athletic endeavors.

RELATED ARTICLE: Science says that singing is an athletic activity... so, does that mean singers are considered athletes? Read about the athleticism of singing here.

Part I: What Is a Sport, Really?

The Etymology

The word sport originates from the Old French desport, meaning “leisure,” “amusement,” or “diversion.” It entered Middle English as disport, referring to a form of entertainment or leisurely fun.

Ah, well this is enlightening. The original definition of the word "sport" is all about recreation. There is no mention of any kind of competition here. Nor is there mention of any teams, touchdowns, or tackling. The earliest form of the word "sport" in our language had to do with any form of mental stimulation to help the time pass.

In this case, yes, singing could 100% be classified as a sport, as long as it helps divert your attention in amusement. To the same point, bird-watching, joke-telling, reading, and even thinking could all be consider sports in their own rights.

I'm going to pause for a second to ask a very important question. Have you ever actually looked up the word "sport" in the dictionary? It's such a common word; why would anyone need to look it up when we all know what it means? I mean, we do all know what it means, right? Are you second-guessing yourself right now like I am?

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. The first definition of "sport" is the verb version of the word. We're looking for the noun, not the verb.

2. Here we go. The word "sport" (noun) is "a source of diversion: recreation"

Don't believe me? Check this screenshot out:

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a sport is a source of diversion, recreation. Who knew?!

Let's find another source. How about the OG English language authority, Oxford Dictionary? Here we go...

According to Oxford dictionary, the word "sport" is defined as, "diversion, entertainment, fun."

...

Merriam-Webster and Oxford agree on the fundamental meaning, from its origins to present-day: a "sport" is any activity that simply passes time.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that “sport” evolved into its modern sense:

“An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

That’s a big shift—from leisure to high-stakes competition. But it's clear from the two authoritative dictionary sources we've examined, Merriam-Webster and Oxford, that the word's most common and fundamental usage encompasses a much broader spectrum of activities than we might be aware of.

If a sport is simply a source of amusement or diversion, then singing easily clears the bar—case closed. But to truly unpack the question "Is singing a sport?" we have to stretch beyond textbook definitions and dig deeper. Because while words shape meaning, culture shapes perception. And in today’s world, how we feel about an activity often matters just as much as what it is.

So before we hand singing a gold medal at the newest sports category in the Olympic games, let’s move past the semantics and dive into what it really takes—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to do this thing we call singing.

Next up: the anatomy of vocal athleticism.

Part II: Singing as Physical Performance

As both an expert singer and a decorated athlete, I can assure anyone who might not be as intimately acquainted with the mechanics involved in delivering a song to an audience that singing is, to put it plainly: not a passive way to amuse yourself and others. Here is a brief overview of the physical demands required of a trained singer's performance:

The Athletic Reality of Singing

• Controlled breath support using carefully coordinated movements within the musculature of our bodies, including the diaphragm, intercostals, and abdominal wall

• Postural alignment of our skeletal, muscular, and emotional processing systems to support airflow, tone, and focus

• Fine motor control of the larynx, tongue, soft palate, and articulators

• Cardiovascular fitness, stamina, and mental focus (especially for long-form pieces or shows)

A trained singer manages:

• Respiration (energy)

• Phonation (sound creation)

• Resonance (sound shaping)

• Articulation (clarity)

That’s four systems working together in sync—a complex feat that’s absolutely physical, and absolutely trainable.

Singing = neuromuscular coordination on par with traditional athletic sports.

Part III: The Role of Conditioning

Singers, like athletes, must:

• Warm up before activity

• Cool down after exertion

• Hydrate strategically

• Avoid overuse injuries (vocal nodules = vocal "sprains")

• Cross-train (many include yoga, Pilates, or Alexander Technique in their regimen)

And because singing utilizes so much of the physical body, singers, like traditional "sports" athletes, have career primes when their performances are optimal due to their body's maturation, followed by a natural decline in performance. You see this in dance, as well, particularly in ballet.

Part IV: The Competition Factor

“But wait,” some say. “Sports are competitive. Singing isn’t.”

Let’s examine:

Is Singing Competitive?

• Choirs and show choirs compete at state, national, and even international levels

• Soloists compete in competitions like NATS, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and reality shows like The Voice and American Idol

• A cappella groups, musical theatre troupes, and barbershop quartets often square off

Even without a traditional opponent, singers are constantly competing with themselves—to improve range, agility, and expressiveness. 98% of a professional singer's job involves staring at themselves in the mirror to critique what is right and what is wrong. Renee Fleming, the world's best opera singer, famously says, "If it looks wrong, it is wrong." Singers are always in competition with themselves to overcome weaknesses in their technique and performances.

And let’s not forget: many sports like gymnastics, figure skating, and diving are judged on aesthetics, musicality, and execution—just like vocal performance.

Part V: What About Other Gray-Area Activities?

To adequately answer "Is singing a sport?" let's take a quick look at some other activities in similar boats.

• Marching band: Demands strength, stamina, synchronization, and precise movement—often in tandem with playing an instrument

• Cheerleading: Once dismissed as extracurricular fluff, now recognized by the NCAA as a sport

• Chess: Recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee due to its competitive structure

• Pole dancing: requires incredible conditioning of your strength, flexibility, endurance, and artistry

So if chess is in... shouldn’t singing at least be up for debate?

Part VI: The Subjectivity Problem

One sticking point:

Most sports have empirical scoring rules. Singing does not.

• A soccer ball is either in the goal or it isn’t.

• A sprinter either beat the clock or they didn’t.

Singing?There are objective elements—intonation, breath support, resonance, diction—but so much is subjective:

• Taste

• Style preference

• Tone color bias

• Cultural expectations

Even in competitions with trained judges, singer A may win one day, and lose to singer B the next. That’s less sport, more art.

Part VII:

Still not convinced singing can be as physically demanding as traditional sports? Let’s take a moment to spotlight just a few vocal athletes whose performances would leave even a triathlete gasping.

1. First, enter Jessye Norman in Ariadne auf Naxos. Her interpretation of the titular role isn’t just vocally transcendent—it’s visceral. About 12 minutes into the video, in the middle of delivering Strauss’ demanding passages with unflinching stamina and control, the audience is suddenly aware that Ms. Norman, in character, is sweating profusely, and she remains visibly glistening throughout the end of the act, a testament to the sheer physicality of operatic singing at its highest level. (Jessye, you continue to inspire me. You are sorely missed.)

2. Next up, Sutton Foster on the Tony Awards stage in Anything Goes. Yes, I have referenced this in another blog post, and I'll probably reference it again in the future. It's amazing. In the performance, Ms. Foster doesn’t just sing—she tap dances at Olympic level while belting 11 o’clock numbers with pitch-perfect charm and vocal ease. You don't even have to know a thing about singing or dancing to see: this is not stagecraft, it’s endurance training with sequins.

3. And then there’s my good friend and former roommate Marcy Richardson, the burlesque singing aerialist who redefines the phrase “defying gravity.” In her comedic burlesque performance of The Jewel Song she lights up the room with coloratura fireworks while twirling, suspended upside-down in heels. That’s right: upside-down, mid-spin, nailing notes, nailing life.

These aren’t just performers. They’re vocal athletes in every sense of the word—defying gravity, defying expectations, and redefining what it means to train for the stage.

Part VIII: The Final Verdict - IS SINGING A SPORT?

Let's review what we've learned.

Criterion	Singing	Traditional "Sport"
Physical exertion	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Training & discipline	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Requires warm-up & recovery	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Competitive structure	✅ Sometimes	✅ Always
Judged by clear rules	❌ Often subjective	✅ Usually empirical
Entertainment component	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Performance Affected by Physical Maturity / Body Development	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Requires Mental Focus	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Based on the above criteria, we are able to make the following well-researched claim:

Singing, by definition, is a form of "sport." Beyond semantics, it is an athletic artform that shares many characteristics with our collective understanding of traditional athletic sports, but it doesn’t meet all modern expectations of what “sports” entail.

But by historic definitions and biomechanical standards, there’s a very strong case that singing should be considered a form of sport—or at least treated like one when it comes to training and respect.

Final Thought

So maybe instead of asking, “Is singing a sport?”We should be asking:

“Why don’t we treat singers more like athletes?”

Because when we do, they slay. 🎤💪

FAQ: Is Singing a Sport?

Q: What is the definition of sport?

A: The word sport originates from the Old French term desport, meaning amusement or leisure. In modern usage, it's typically defined as a physical activity involving skill, competition, and entertainment—though interpretations vary across time and culture.

Q: Does singing meet the physical requirements of a sport?

A: Yes. Singing requires controlled breath support, fine motor coordination, postural strength, cardiovascular stamina, and neuromuscular precision—fitting the biomechanical criteria of athletic exertion.

Q: Is singing competitive like traditional sports?

A: While not always head-to-head, singing is often competitive. Choirs, show choirs, a cappella groups, and soloists compete nationally and internationally. There are adjudicated competitions like NATS, The Voice, American Idol, and countless others that hold singers to high performance standards.

Q: Is show choir considered a sport?

A: In many schools, show choir occupies a unique space—requiring both vocal athleticism and physical choreography. It blends musical and physical training and is often more physically demanding than traditional sports like golf or bowling.

Q: Why isn’t singing widely considered a sport?

A: Cultural bias, lack of standard rules, and subjective judging systems make singing harder to quantify than traditional sports. Unlike clear wins and losses, singing competitions rely on aesthetic preference, taste, and artistry—often judged inconsistently.

Q: What other activities blur the line between sport and art?

A: Marching band, cheerleading, rhythmic gymnastics, and even chess have all sparked debate. These activities involve strategy, discipline, endurance, and finesse—but are not always officially recognized as “sports.”

Extra Credit

Just like in traditional sports, if you want to be a gold-medal singer, you've got to find a gold-medal coach. Lucky for you, you've found one already. Be sure to check out my portfolio to see the kind of caliber of work I deliver. Once you're ready to start training, visit my book now page and let's get crackin'!