Whether it’s jogging around the block, a session in the gym, or even simple desk chair squats (in case you’ve been wondering How to Stay Fit at Work), exercise is an integral part of many people’s daily routines. And, for many of these fitness fanatics, no workout is complete without their favourite beats to energise them.
In fact, popping in the earphones while exercising has become such a popular practice that digital music service, Spotify, collaborated with scientists to compile “The Ultimate Workout Playlist”, featuring songs that enhance your performance.
The study of the correlation between exercise and music is nothing new. The first study dates to 1911, when a researcher found that cyclists automatically churned out more pedalling power when a band was playing. Subsequent research has brought a factor called “rhythm response” into the equation, which refers to humans automatically matching the tempo of a song to their body movements. The effect of music on exercise was so similar to performance enhancing drugs that the USA Track & Field, in 2007, banned personal music devices to prevent athletes from gaining a competitive advantage.
While there is a certain genre for every workout – for example, soothing sounds for yoga and fast, loud tunes for ramping up your cardio – the best music to encourage you is the type that connects to you on a personal level. That being said, below are four reasons why music may be good for your workout.
You’ll put in more effort
Music not only puts you in the mood to exercise, it also encourages you to work harder on the treadmill or dip station. This is how the concept of rhythm response works – where the tempo of the music is in sync with the speed and movement of the workout. However, this is only effective when listening to rhythmic music. This type of music fires up the motor area of your brain, helping you to maintain a brisk workout pace. It can help you to physically push yourself well beyond your normal workout limits, meaning you’ll feel motivated to run that extra mile.
Music puts the fun in exercise
Getting into shape and maintaining this healthy lifestyle takes a lot of effort. It’s not always fun to get up at the crack of dawn to kick off your workout routine, or to hit the gym after a hard day at the office. Another benefit of listening to the right music while exercising is that it could impact your sense of satisfaction. Despite it being a lot of work, you can still have a blast while working up a sweat to the beat of your favourite tunes.
Music is a distraction
We’re not talking about the bad kind of distraction associated with listening to certain music while driving. Exercise is a necessary evil for many, and first timers will tell you how challenging the first few efforts at a dumbbell thruster or deadlift are. Pumping up the volume of your favourite tunes can help to take your mind of the unpleasantness of the workout. Even if you’re accustomed to beasting it up at the gym, it can quickly become monotonous doing all the same exercises every day. Music provides a welcoming diversion from the intense effort and reduces the feeling of fatigue.
Music can be a mood lifter
Exercise can be torture if you’re not in the mood, but you need to stay loyal to your workout regime. On the one hand, exercise in itself is said to boost your spirit due to the release of feel-good endorphins. Studies also claim that exercise has amazing benefits for one’s mental health. On the other hand, music is said to stimulate positive and soothing emotions in one’s brain. Now, combine exercise and music and you’ll have two powerful forces providing you with a great way to turn around a bad day.
Remember that, aside from exercise and music, it’s important to follow a nourishing diet and get enough rest after a workout to enjoy optimal health. With certain Medical Aid providers you can enjoy added benefits that promote health and fitness as well as cover a portion of your gym fees.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Hippo.co.za, the owner of this article, does not accept any responsibility for losses or damages that may occur as a result of this article.
