Walk into virtually any commercial gym across the United States and you'll see them: workout enthusiasts with headphones firmly in place, personal music player at hand as they exercise. It's no wonder so many people enjoy listening to music while exercising; it can provide everything from a boost in intensity to motivation and even improved cognitive ability. The right music can have a profound effect on the way that you exercise.
Workout Intensity
Music can have a positive effect on the intensity of your workout. Listening to a song that has approximately the same number of beats per minute as your target heart rate can help you reach that target rate. University of New Mexico researcher Dr. Len Kravitz points out that music often creates an emotional response, accounting for the change in heart rate. When you listen to an upbeat song while working out, you may be more inspired to pick up the pace and work even harder.
Boredom and Motivation
Exercising for 30 minutes on an elliptical machine can be boring. When you're bored, it's more likely that you'll count the minutes and follow your progress more closely until you can stop. Listening to your favorite artists while exercising takes away workout boredom. You can become so involved in the music that you're less apt to watch the clock. Similarly, music can provide motivation to exercise. Try loading a playlist full of songs that you love, but won't listen to unless you're exercising. This can help motivate you to work out more often to hear your music.
Cognitive Function
One of the most surprising benefits of exercising with music is an improvement in cognitive function. Ohio State University psychology professor Charles Emery found during a study that, when issued a verbal fluency test before and after exercise, subjects who listened to music while exercising did better than those who did not. Emery concluded that music causes a positive reaction in the nervous system while exercising, which positively affects cognitive ability.
Beats Per Minute
While any type of music is appropriate and beneficial for exercise, the key is the beats per minute that a song has. Tailoring your workout to the bpm of various songs can help you stay motivated while allowing you to be more effective in your exercise. For stretching, choose songs of 100 to 120 bpm to gradually raise your heart rate in preparation for exercise. Switch to a higher-intensity --- 120 to 150 bpm --- song when you get going. Cool down with a slower bpm for a well-rounded musical workout.
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