Last night as I was leaving the SMU Dedman Recreational Center after participating in an Abs class, I was asked to take a survey on the effect of music and exercise. As one who never works out without her iPod, I continued to circle all the answers favoring exercising with music. Questions such as “Do you think listening to music increases the intensity of your workout?” and “Does listening to upbeat music vs. slow tempo have an effect on the pace at which you exercise?” were included in this survey.
As I completed the survey, I indeed realized how dependent my exercising intensity is on my music. Without my “running” playlist on my iPod filled with upbeat and fast tempo music, I am completely incapable of working out to my potential. If I forget my iPod, or if the battery were to die mid-work out, I completely lose my drive. Whether it is the fact of the sole concentration on my tiredness or pure boredom, I came to the conclusion after my survey that I rely heavily on music to keep my intensity level high during my workouts.
I came to this same realization just a week ago. I gathered my stuff and headed over to the gym from my dorm one morning, like usual then as soon as I got to the elliptical machine I realized I had left my headphones in my room! I seriously debated running back to get them but that would require walking all the way back, rummaging around in the dark while my roommate was still asleep, and re-scanning back into Dedman. Call me lazy but I figured I could survive one workout without music. Boy was I wrong! It was the dullest experience and I found myself checking the clock every other minute to see how much time had elapsed. Music definitely serves a purpose during a workout. It both motivates and distracts me thus creating a much more enjoyable time at the gym. I, like you, have specific workout playlists- fast tempos for running and soothing melodies for stretching and my music truly does impact the overall effectiveness of my time at the gym.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! I just can’t work out to the best of my abilities without music that has a good upbeat pace to it. I took my Wellness physical assessment the other day and as I was running around the indoor track I couldn’t help but think how stupid I was not to bring my ipod. Eventually the cheerleading team came in and turned on some good workout music and my speed and strides increased drastically. I was shocked at how much music could change my workout. I also realized in the past week that I have turned around to go get my ipod so I can listen to my “workout” playlist. Its helped my running so much. Without my music I don’t know if I could even get a workout in; it would be way too hard to concentrate on a certain beat that would keep my pace.
ReplyDeleteYes I know exactly what you mean! When I'm working out on my own I need my ipod on because then I don't do my best. Although when I am working out with my team we can't use ipods so that's usually why I don't try as hard because I don't really have any motivation. I think it would be very helpful to get people that need some pumping up during workout to get more out of it. I even realize that when I have my ipod on time flies by! I know when I don't have it on I catch myself looking at the clock and saying when is this ever going to finish? It definitely helps so listen to music while you do anything!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great observation! I definitely notice that music helps me work out longer and more intense. Many studies have shown that people enjoy listening to music while working out because some songs remind them of people or events in their life. I enjoy it because some songs remind of my best friends and good times we have had. My favorite female artist to work out to is Beyonce because she has such fun songs. What are a few of your favorite artists?
ReplyDeleteIn 2008, America voted ten songs to be the top workout songs and they were ...
1. “Thunderstruck”- AC/DC
2. “Say This Sooner“- The Almost
3. “Keep the Car Running“ – Arcade Fire
4. “Sabotage“ – Beastie Boys
5. “Loser“ – Beck
6. “Ain’t No Easy Way“ – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
7. “Hurricane“ – Bob Dylan
8. “No Woman No Cry (Live At the Lyceum)” – Bob Marley
9. “Unconditional” – The Bravery
10. “The Distance” – Cake
Another fun fact I found about working out is that a group of researchers at Ohio State found that listening to music while working out helps people with severe lung disease improve their fitness level.
People with serious lung disease who listened to music while walking walked an average of 19 miles over a period of 8 weeks while the people walking without music only walked 15 miles.
I truly believe music is an amazing gift we have so everyone keep listening to music and working out!!!
I agree completely! I love listening to my iPod while working out. I just don't have the same motivation if I am doing it in silence. I also have a special workout playlist that I only listen to if I am at the gym. For example, when I am running I need to be listening to an upbeat song and I can run with the music. The slower the song the slower I run. It's almost like I need to keep up with the song so it motivates me to work harder.
ReplyDeleteRecently I have started to plug my headphones into the TV and watch the news while running and it's just not the same. I don't have the same drive to run fast. It seems while watching TV I work out for the same amount of time compared to listening to music but I work out harder when I am listening to my iPod.
I used to feel the same way! I would never be able to even consider leaving for the gym without my ipod fully charged with all the latest songs I had added. My senior year however I joined the cross country team at my high school. I thought this would be great since I could continue my running and get into great shape. The first day of preseason however when I showed up ready to run with my ipod, the coach tapped me on the shoulder and said "You better go put that back in your bag". Terrified of running without my ipod I thought about quitting there on the spot, however, the theory was when you run, its a chance to be just with your thoughts. Now when I run its a chance for me to let off steam, get over the stress of that day and be alone with my thoughts. Now when I go for a run I grab my sneakers and go, sans ipod.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I am really ADHD, so it's hard for me to focus on one thing for a long time. Exercising without music is not an option for me. I need something to keep my mind off of the fact that I'm sweating in public while barely moving my legs on the elliptical. When I get to the gym and realize I forgot my iPod in my dorm, I simply say, "Okay, looks like I'm not working out today" and go back to the dorm. iPods and working out go hand-in-hand. Also, I'm on the cheerleading team. The music gives the team momentum and energy. Without it, our team would get absolutely nothing accomplished. It's that simple.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! But you really got me thinking. Why is it that we need music to work out, or do work. I know that I can't write essays or study with music, then I can't concentrate as well. I think part of it may be that we need something to focus on other than what we are doing. I think with girls especially we need to be doing more than one thing at once. But I also think it's an adaptation. People never used to need music, but all of a sudden in the last few years, everyone has an iPod. I would like to see what someone says who doesn't use an Ipod to work out.
ReplyDeleteInteresting... I've honestly never used music while working out. Maybe I should give it a try some time! A friend of mine in high school did a psychology project on how different types of music can increase your heart rate, so I guess it would make sense that that would be beneficial to working out.
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