Music Motivates
If you’re hoping to stick with your workouts this year, music may help you achieve that goal.
Benefits of listening to music while exercising:
Motivation
It’s true that sometimes you just don’t feel like working out, even though you know it’s good for you. When you’re lacking motivation, have a go-to song or playlist that gets you in a good mood and gets your body pumping. Blast it and watch your energy levels change instantly!
Match the Beat
If you’re trying to run faster, play songs that have a faster beats per minute and your running cadence will naturally increase. If you’re trying to relax and reduce stress, play music with a slower cadence and a calming rhythm that evokes the relaxation response. If you’re trying to lift heavy and get through a challenging strength workout, play music with a strong bass.
Inspirational Lyrics
If you choose songs with an energizing rhythm and that have lyrics with an inspirational message, it can psyche you up to get through a challenging workout.
Enjoyment
If you choose music you enjoy listening to, that can distract you enough to help you get through a tough workout. Science has shown that good music can cause people to perform better, workout harder and longer. and burn more calories. So choose the music genre you most enjoy. Look for remixed versions of your favorite songs that may have a more pimped up, energized beat. With that said, also be willing to step out of your comfort zone and listen to music that may be outside of your personal preference but may provide additional exercise benefits.
Velotric conducted a study recently in reference to music and exercise with the following takeaways:
Pop is the top genre among all types of exercise music, followed closely by Hip Hop/Rap and Classic Rock.
54% of avid exercisers prefer throwbacks, while 46% prefer modern music.
Most exercise music averages 125-127 beats per minute, except yoga, which averages 105.
The most important elements to exercise music are beat, base, tempo and lyrics.
Exercisers listening to pop (33%), hip-hop/rap (32%), and classic rock (31%) while exercising set new personal records within the past month.
The top 5 Exercise Music Artists were Michael Jackson, Eminem, Queen, Drake & Metallica
Exercising to music offers multiple benefits and can help you stick to your workouts for the long-term. So, create your workout playlists and enjoy the health benefits as a result!
Yours in health & fitness,
Sherri McMillan
Sherri McMillan
Sherri McMillan, holds a master's degree in exercise physiology and has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for more than 33 years. She has received numerous industry awards including 2010 CanFitPro International Presenter of the Year, 2006 IDEA Fitness Director of the Year, 1998 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 1998 CanFitPro Fitness Presenter of the Year and 2005/2006 ACE Fitness Educator of the Year - Runner up. She is a fitness trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers, author of five books and manuals including "Go For Fit - the Winning Way to Fat Loss" and "Fit over Forty" and the featured presenter in various fitness DVDs. She has presented hundreds of workshops to thousands of fitness leaders throughout Canada, Australia, Mexico, Jamaica, New Zealand, Germany, England, Spain, South America, Asia and the U.S. She is the owner of Northwest Personal Training in downtown Vancouver, the founder of WHY Racing Events & WHY Community, participates in various community fundraisers and can be found running, biking, or hiking around the community. Find more information at nwpersonaltraining.com.