Many studies have suggested that working out while listening to music can help you to train longer and harder. According to Nina Kraus, a professor of neurobiology at Northwestern University in Illinois, who studies the effects of music on the nervous system, “Humans and songbirds” are the only creatures “that automatically feel the beat” of a song. The human heart wants to synchronize to music and the legs want to swing to a beat. Picking the right music for your fitness routine can have several benefits.
- Increased Efficiency – In a recent study, subjects who cycled in time to music found that they required 7 percent less oxygen to do the same work when compared to music playing in the background.
- Syncing Exercise Pace with Music Tempo – Researchers have concluded that we increase or decrease our work effort and pace to match the tempo of our music. Speeding up the music program increased distance covered/unit time, power and pedal cadence whereas slowing the music produced decreased work effort.
- Keeps You Motivated – Music can help block out the little voice in your brain telling you it’s time to quit. Research shows that listening to music results in a 10 percent reduction in perceived effort during treadmill running at a moderate intensity.
- Increased Endurance – A recent study showed that compared to a no-music control, treadmill runners listening to motivational synchronized music led to a 15 percent improvement in endurance.
Since music is beneficial to a workout, try choosing fitness equipment with an integrated audio jack and speakers, or iPod compatibility, to help you set your pace and stay motivated. You can create a workout playlist with a tempo to fit the warm-up, peak pace, and cool-down, that is right for you – and then play it right through the equipment’s speakers. One of our Fitness Exchange Professionals can assist you in choosing fitness equipment that features music integration. Click Here To Contact Us.
