Is there really a button you can push that instantly makes workouts easier and more effective?
Would that be music to your ears?
The answer is YES. And the “music to your ears” part? Literal.
You Knew It All Along, Didn’t You?
Let me ask you a question. Right off the top, if I were to ask you if you enjoy your workouts more with or without music, what would your answer be?
I betting my sweet bippy that your answer would be with music. And we have the research to back up why.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m doing my BURST training (see “How To Supercharge Your Energy” in my FREE Fitness Breakthrough Kit), if I lose my tunes I lose my oomph.
And when it comes to going to the edge of muscle challenge with any of my muscle-challenging, body shaping workouts, a music soundtrack invites the extra mile from me.
And now I know it’s not just all in my head. The truth about exercise and music is that it can – and does – deliver more intensity to your workouts. And getting the most out of your workout time is high on the list of what busy women who value health and vitality need, am I right?
Pushing the “play” button on your favorite tunes delivery device will give you an effective edge on your workouts.
Bongo Guy, And 4 Ways Tunes Can Transform Your Workouts
Last week at our our picnic lunch at the park, when we showed up there was a lazy, easy summer atmosphere. Families and college students splashing in the creek.
Then the bongo guy showed up. (Doesn’t every college town park have one?)
After just a few thumps on the drum, everything sprang into action. Hula hoops magically appeared and spontaneous dance emerged everywhere. You’ve seen it before. We can count on the drums to get our blood pumping.
It’s in our DNA.
Here are 4 ways that music gives your workouts more steam
1) Music reduces in your sensation of fatigue
“Music is like is a legal drug for athletes,” says Costas Karageorghis, Ph.D., from London’s Brunel University School of Sport and Education, one of the world’s leading authorities on music and exercise. “It can reduce the perception of effort significantly and increase endurance by as much as 15 percent.”
That feeling of music giving power to your workouts tests out in the lab. Music has a way of distracting us from the fatigue sensations that your body delivers.
Call it courage in sound bytes.
2) Music ramps up your motivation
Altering your mind’s “in the mood to move” state with music results in increased exercise performance. An easy way to psych yourself up for grown up P.E.
3) Music improves your motor coordination
Rhythmic music (there’s the drum factor again) enhances gross motor tasks, improving exercise performance.
4) Music increases your sense of relaxation
Now, this may sound counter to “exercise intensity”. But in practice, this translates to getting into your exercise “groove”. Ever danced for hours endlessly and wonder where the time went? Even if your limbs were aquiver by the end of the evening and you were drowning in a pool of dance sweat? See what I mean? Elevated hormones that contribute to being tired during exercise are somehow mitigated by music. This results in better performance.
Bottom line?
The beat of a soundtrack strengthens the fibers of connection between brain and body.
As the beat drives harder, you push harder. Without thinking about it. This is evidenced in the research that clearly shows the perceived exertion during workouts is reduced when you have music to drive you.
You end up working harder and giving more – naturally. The result is more effective workouts that burn more calories and inspire you to push for more muscle.
It’s why I comb the music royalty libraries to buy tunes that will add driving fire to the Fit Quickies™ Tracks. And the added plus? Tunes, beat, and music together connect me with my dancer’s roots.
Play around with beats and tunes during your workouts. Watch your strength and endurance soar. Not to mention the joy of movement.
Do you find music makes YOUR workouts better? Tell me about it in comments below!
ref:
1) Len Kravitz The Effects of Music on Exercise Performance.
2) Carl FosterPhD, John Pocari, Phd, and Mark Anders, Exploring the Effects of Exercise Intensity
I love it! It’s so true. I’ll take anything with a good beat, oldies, not-so oldies, and pretty much anything else. Thanks for such a great article to back me up!
Sophie
Sophie, it’s fun to know there’s a little bit of science behind it, isn’t there? I’m such a geek about that stuff! Glad you like the article and thank you for posting!
Lani
I LOVE having music during my workouts, and wish it were possible to have music when I T-Tapp.
My non-T-Tapp activities include yoga videos, swimming laps, and walking. The yoga videos already have appropriate soft music (plus, their focus is not so much on pushing/working harder). My mp3 player isn’t waterproof, so I’m unable to enjoy music while swimming at my gym (I know such players exist, but it hardly seems worth the cost for a once-a-week activity).
Often I’ll walk with a friend; it’s great to have a buddy depending on you to show up. But when I walk solo, I love to have my tunes. Some of my favorite tunes for making a brisk walk more fun include:
“Venus,” Bananarama
“Back in the Saddle,” Aerosmith
“Rag Doll,” Aerosmith
“Same Old Song and Dance,” Aerosmith
“Walk this Way,” Aerosmith
“Candyman,” Aqua
“I Want Candy,” The Bangles
“White Wedding,” Billy Idol
“The Bad Touch,” Bloodhound Gang
“I Wanna be a Cowboy,” Boys Don’t Cry
“The Distance,” Cake
“Tranquillo (Melt My Heart),” Carly Simon
“Rock the Casbah,” The Clash
“Around the World,” Daft Punk
“Smoke on the Water,” Deep Purple
“Money for Nothing,” Dire Straits
“Walk of Life,” Dire Straits
“Free Ride,” Edgar Winter Group
“Land of Confusion,” Genesis
“Me and my Arrow,” Harry Nilsson
“Rockit,” Herbie Hancock
“Devil Inside,” INXS
“The Old Man Down the Road,” John Fogarty
“That’s the Way I Like It,” KC and the Sunshine Band
“Cowboy,” Kid Rock
“Forever,” Kid Rock
“Fever,” Madonna
“Shock the Monkey,” Peter Gabriel
“Show me your Soul,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Rollercoaster,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Higher Ground,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Superstitious,” Stevie Wonder
“Renegade,” Styx
“Too Much Time on My Hands,” Styx
“Mr. Robato,” Styx
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” The Rolling Stones
“My Generation,” The Who
“Magic Bus,” The Who
“Joy to the World,” Three Dog Night
“Bustin’ Out for Rosey,” Tommy Bolin
“Lowrider,” War
“Wild, Wild West,” Will Smith
“Get Jiggy With It,” Will Smith
I love the list, I have my own favorites and Lani’s article is right, it DOES make a difference to have music to work out with. Waterproof mp3, now there’s an idea!
Lise
Margie,
Thanks for the list! I was trying to come up with some good songs and you left us a treasure trove of ideas. I’ll be working on a list of workout songs as soon as my company leaves.
Margie, fantastic list of tunes and I see you’ve got some great variety. I tend to be stuck on my same old favorites – but they still work for me!
Thanks for posting the list!
Lani
As a rhythmic gymnast, a dancer and a pianist, music has always been a big part of my life. I used to be a keen runner in my early 20s and couldn’t go out without music in my ears. If I have a big day, I will set up my iPod as my alarm clock to some of my favourite upbeat songs. I just can’t imagine going one day without music!
@MargieK: What a great playlist! I was about to create a playlist today for my burst training and will definitely “steal” some of your tunes!