How does music affect your workout results?
We tell you what an ideal playlist for sports should be.
Fitness trainer answers.
In the human brain, there are connections between the auditory and motor areas. When we listen to music, the areas of the brain responsible for coordination become active. Probably, you have more than once felt a strong desire to move your head to the beat of the music. This is one of the manifestations of this phenomenon, say the researchers.
Fitnesstränare
The right music stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins. These chemicals are responsible for motivation, positive and negative emotions, heart rate strength and more.
Dr. Marcelo Bigliassi from the University of São Paulo studied the effects of music on humans during exercise. The findings were very interesting. Music improves emotional state, reduces the feeling of fatigue and has a positive effect on the results of training.
How favorite tracks help
- Musical rhythm improves coordination.
- Motivation to achieve results is increased due to the release of neurotransmitters.
- Fatigue, anxiety and tension are reduced.
- Your heart rate speeds up, which helps to increase the intensity of your exercise.
- Your concentration improves.
How to create your own playlist for a great workout
The right playlist will invigorate you in a run of several kilometers. If there’s a way to ease the effort and make the process more enjoyable, let’s use it. Create your own song list or choose a ready-made one, but keep your specifics and training style in mind.
- Choose music that you like, even if it’s unfashionable.
- Experiment with genres: heavy rock, hip-hop or indie. Rock is good for powerlifting, hip-hop is good for blasting, and indie is good for jogging.
- Listen to songs with motivational lyrics.
- Pay attention to the rhythm of the song. If you want to run faster, choose a fast-paced track, while something calmer is good for stretching.
- Find a couple songs that are associated with moments when you go beyond your limits. Try to listen to these tracks in special situations when you need an extra boost, otherwise they will lose their value.
- Choose songs that evoke emotion but don’t distract from your workout. The goal is to increase productivity, not to enjoy the music.