While it isn’t rocket science and there are not specific studies showing that music does indeed impact your workout, there are studies to show that listening to music while working out can improve your motivation and aid in getting your workout done. Music is a work of art and so is your workout, determining what music to chose can be tricky. But the real question is this… How does music help your workout?
Image source: http://www.theblaze.com/news/2015/05/14/when-you-should-shouldnt-use-a-smartphone-while-exercising/
Keep Pace
You know when you’re dreading your cardio workout? Or not able to keep pace because you just don’t feel like it. With music, you don’t have the issue of keeping pace. Running to the beat of a song allows you to make your own pace. Depending on the songs that you choose to workout to, you’re able to choose your pace.
If you want a slower pace, you can choose a slower song. If you want a faster pace, choose a faster paced song. Keep up with the beat and you will have no issue keeping up with the pace that you wish to set.
It Gets You In the Mood
Put on some Marvin Gaye and turn the lights down… Eh, not that kinda mood. Not that kinda mood at all. Remember how I said before that you may not be able to keep up because you just don’t feel like working out? Music has this great power to make you want to move.
When listening to your favorite song or songs, it releases a chemical in your brain known as the pleasure chemical. This chemical is called dopamine. When you listen to your favorite song, it can make you happy– Therefore, you’ll want to complete your workout and you’ll be motivated to start!
Distraction
If music can make you happy then it will be able to distract you too, right? Think of music as way out when it comes to those super hard planks or those awful wall sit sets that you’ve got to get through. You can use music as a way to find a distraction.
If you’re running, more than likely, listening to music gives you the ability to zone out and let your body do the work that it needs to do on the treadmill. Music as a form of distraction is great if you want to get your workout in and you’re working out solo.
HIIT
You’ve heard of high intensity interval training, the workout that leaves you sweating, hurting, and ready to quit until you see the results. One great way to get through a HIIT workout is to put on a fast paced music to really get yourself going! HIIT workouts aren’t for the weak– even the most experienced have trouble sometimes.
Best Genres for Your Workout
Quite possibly, there may not a perfect genre to workout to or even “the best” genre to workout to, but we can, for sure say that listening to jazz may not be the best music to workout. Think about it, working out to something that has a fun tempo, a cool beat, is going to be more fun to workout to than mellow, instrumental music.
Rock, country, and hip-hop are great genres to workout to. Classical music is great for the slow burn while rap would be great for a quick paced work out class.
So if you were wondering, yes, music does help your daily workout. While music may not be the cure all and it may not be what totally motivates you as a person, music is a great way to find rhythm in your workout. It is a great way to make your workout fun and enjoyable– bearable for some. If you’re at the gym listening to your music, please be mindful of those around you as your music may not be a like style to those around you and vice versa. Tell us what your favorite genre, band, or song is to listen to when you workout! We’d love to hear from you!
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