According to several research, listening to a pumping beat can give a person an energy boost and build resistance. In his book, Applying Music in Exercise and Sport, psychologist Costas Karageorghis says that music is a type of legal performance-enhancing booster.
Music is a great companion when working out, whether it’s dancing, exercising, or playing a sport. But just how helpful is music to physical performance? Here are three factors.
It sets the mood
Depending on the genre and lyrics, music can boost your motivation by triggering positive emotions, helping you experience greater pleasure from the activity. Upbeat songs can make you feel inspired to push harder and help release those endorphins. Empowering lyrics can also put you in that take-no-prisoners mindset. The right music also elevates mood and persuades people to ignore the feeling of exhaustion.
Take olympian Michael Phelps for example, he prefers listening to hip-hop music before a competition. There are a slew of genres and artists that can get you powered: Macklemore, Chance the Rapper, and even Ariana Grande are just some of the artists that can get you going.
It measures time
We naturally move in time with synchronous sounds. When we move to a beat, the result is much more efficient. Music can balance and adjust your pace as well as prolong performance. You can also adjust your music to match the particular activity.
A fast tempo song (120 to 140 beats per minute) can get you through high intensity moments while slow songs (80 to 90 BPM) are great for cool down. If you’re aiming to run a 10-minute mile, choose a song with a driving tempo to track time effortlessly like “Wake Me Up” by Avicii or “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5.
It pushes you
While exercising, music puts you in that autopilot mode that can stretch for a long time. Fatigue and noise play second fiddle to a good beat, distracting you from elements that deter you from your goal. Music as a source of motivation almost works as classical conditioning. In the absence of motivation from gym trainers, the right music can suffice.
When making a playlist, it’s better to choose songs that personally affect you. Pick ones that encourage and push you beyond your perceived limits. Hit play on songs like “Champions” by Kanye West or “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar to help you power through a lift or a burpee.
A convenient way to bring music with you during physical workouts is through a smartwatch. Samsung Gear Sport (P14,990) comes with the Spotify Gear app that allows you to bring music. It supports voice search that lets you explore over 30 million songs to stream or download.