If you're like me, you HAVE to have the right tunes to get you moving, feel motivated and continue to push yourself. Every wonder why?
"One thing is certain, the answer lies within our brains, not the muscles we are exercising," states Tom Stafford, a psychologist who recently wrote an article on the topic for BBC.
Stafford also says, "several studies have shown that the act of imagining making a movement produces significant strength gains. The benefit isn't a big as if you practiced making the movement for real, but still the benefit of thinking about the movement can account for over half of the benefit of practice."
The signals to move the muscles start in an area of the brain called the motor cortex. Music travels through your ears down your auditory pathways and supplements your brain activity that signals your body when to move.
Music can help the most with paced exercises, where you can control when to act.
Running is a perfect example. For me personally, music makes a huge difference in how I run, the length of my runs and how I feel during and even after a run.
"Once you've realised that a vital part of most sporting performance is not just how fast or how strong you can move, but the effort of deciding when to move, then you can begin to appreciate why music might be so helpful," Stafford said.
My favorite music to listen to while running, is anything with a strong beat, as you'd imagine. Music also helps me "get in the zone" or more practically stated, "zone out" so that I am not listening to myself breathe or thinking about every step.
What is your favorite music that gets you moving?
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Add a Comment5 Comments
Which is better to do exercises at home with a tape or go to a class?
June 21, 2013 - 1:34pmThis Comment
Hi mecrazyc,
Great question! I like to go to a class at my local gym. I feel like I get more motivated to work harder with a group of people. Every week that I go I start to see the same people and build friendships through the class. This helps me feel more inclined to go, I get to work out and socialize!
I have a couple home tapes when I don't have a lot of time or want a quick workout. At home exercises are fun because I can blast the music I want to hear!
Either way you prefer I think they are both great! You could invite friends over one night and do yoga in the living room or go to your local gym and get a class schedule! That will give you the option to pick and choose what classes to go to and test out the ones you like!
Sara
June 24, 2013 - 11:05amThis Comment
I agree music really helps motivate a person to exercise, time just seems to pass while you actually get the exercise done! What does anyone think about zumba? at home? go to a class?
June 21, 2013 - 1:28pmThis Comment
Hi Shana!
Love this post! Without music the entire workout is different or even non-existant. Have you ever walked into the gym and forgotten your headphones.... I've turned around and went home just to grab them! Now I have a couple backups in my gym bag just in case. :)
For my music choices I also like anything with a good beat and fast paced, helps give me that extra boost I need. Plus I always turn them on pretty loud so I can't hear myself think or breathe I just go.
Even if you are doing yoga they have so many different types of music they can play. Some are slow and calm, while other yoga classes are fast paced and really get you in the "flow".
It's so interesting to learn what music can do to somebody, enhance their mood, change the way we workout, so many endless possibilities.
Great topic!
Sara
June 20, 2013 - 9:05amThis Comment
Hi Shana,
Interesting to know the reason behind the fact that listening to music motivates and facilitates a great workout.
Maryann
June 19, 2013 - 5:03pmThis Comment