Do you dread your next workout? Do you lack motivation to push yourself through to the end? Have you made music a part of your workout routine? If you have, then you’ve probably noticed what a difference it can make in how your feel while you exercise. It might even make you look forward to your next session if you really enjoy the music that you listen to.
If you don’t normally incorporate music into your workout, I definitely recommend it. Have you ever gone to a group fitness class? There is pretty much always music playing. As a group fitness instructor, I’m frequently thinking about the music I will play during my classes. In fact, it’s such a big part of my class that I sometimes have dreams about not being able to get the music to play. There is a huge difference in the energy of the people in the room when there is music, versus just hearing the instructors voice.
Music has been proven to be so motivating that it’s been found that two out of three people will skip their workout or cut it short if they don’t have their music. It’s effectiveness has even been compared to performance enhancing drug. Marathon runners have even been banned from having personal music devices because of it’s ability to boost endurance.
How does music increase your motivation during a workout?
- Distracts you from pain and fatigue
- Elevates your mood (releases feel good hormones)
- Increases endurance, Distracts you from pain and fatigue. The music competes with the psychological feedback telling your body that you need a break from the exertion.
- Elevates your mood (releases feel good hormones)
- Reduces perceived effort
Music has been found to be more effective than visual stimuli (watching a video without sound) at helping to increase endurance. There is a direct connection between our auditory and motor neurons. For example, when you hear a loud noise it can make you jump. I don’t know if it’s true for everyone, but I think for most people it’s hard to stand completely still when there is music with a beat playing. Your foot just naturally starts tapping. Studies have shown that people get the most benefit from music that has between 120-145 beats per minute. Our bodies tend to move to the beat, therefore the faster the beat the faster we move.
If your one of those people that find stretching to be so boring and tend to spend minimal time doing it, music may be the way to increase your stretching time. You will get distracted by the music and not mind the extra time spent on increasing your flexibility. The key here is to aim for music that is slower, between 80-115 beats per minute. A slower beat will actually help you lower your heart rate too.
So, next time you feel yourself lacking motivation to start a workout or keep going get the music going. If you already have music playing, but still lack motivation, maybe it’s time for a new playlist. One of my favorite workout songs is Stronger, by Kelly Clarkson. She sings, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. She might not be singing about working out, but the message still applies and it has a good beat.
What are your favorite songs to play during a workout? What gets you moving and keeps you going? I’d love to hear them!
