A runner traversing city streets with headphones in his ears or a person working out at the gym humming his favorite song is a sight that surprises no one anymore. Music accompanies athletes of team sports during warm-ups or halftime of a match. Soccer, volleyball or basketball players love to prepare for a clash to the rhythm of upbeat and loud songs. This releases adrenaline in them, which they then try to use during the game. It is worth taking an example from them, create your hit list and test its effect on yourself. Which genre, then, is best to reach for?

What Is the Best Music for Training?

It would seem that the matter is quite simple. The best music for exercising is that which we listen to every day. That is, artists, bands and songs that we simply like. It turns out, however, that’s not quite the case. Researchers looking at the effect of music on workouts have noted that genres with high beats per minute (BPM) and songs with a regular, rhythmic structure work best. This may not be very revealing, but it confirms what everyone has surely guessed. A good choice, therefore, will be various types of electronic music. Techno (120 – 125 BPM), house (115 – 130 BPM) or trance (130 BPM and above) feature a regular beat, which is great for getting through repetitions when pressing weights or setting the pace for interval and cardio exercises. Some are more melodic, others are quite harsh in their composition, but this is a matter of taste. Quite obvious is the fact that fast songs simply have a stimulating effect and add plenty of energy even on a cloudy, depressing day.

What’s more, studies also show that music during a workout works all the better, the more its rhythm adapts to…the rhythm of our heartbeat. Everyone has certainly experienced the phenomenon of feeling somehow in sync with the music they listen to while exercising.

The second popular genre favored by athletes is hip-hop, again in all its varieties. However, in this case there is a slightly different effect. Hip-hop, first, strongly influences emotions. Much less important for exercise is the background music itself, the most important are the words of the rapper. Often these are lyrics directly exhorting the recipient to consistently strive for the goal, to achieve their goals regardless of the circumstances and not to give up in the face of adversity. Many people like this form of motivation, so listening to hip-hop songs combined at the same time as performing a workout releases additional strength and energy resources.

What Gives Training with Music

Exercise music is sometimes an essential part of training. Some forms of physical activity, can not do without appropriate music. When exercising at the gym, sometimes you can listen to publicly available music played, for example: from the radio, but rumba dancing without the right background music are pointless.

Exercise music is needed as an element to the activities, but it can only be an addition to them – this is about individual sports, for example: running, cycling. It should be rhythmic and lively, thanks to it some people maintain a steady, appropriate pace of exercise.

When exercising at the gym, the music can be calmer and slower. When running, we often require extra stimulation, so choose songs that have a motivating effect on us or with which we have positive memories.

Researchers at the University of Teaneck in New Jersey specifically found that endurance with workout music increases by 15%. In addition, the level of fat burned then increases significantly. On the other hand, cyclists pedaling to the rhythm of music consume 7% less oxygen than those riding at the same pace without such a background (Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Science, 2009).

In view of the above facts, it is worth ensuring that your favorite workout music comes to you just when you care about the effectiveness of your efforts and when you want to give it your all. It’s such an additional support for ambition, which can feel pleasantly tickled when progress begins to be visible to the naked eye.

How to Listen to Music While Working Out?

It also turns out that not only the type itself, but also the way of listening to music is of considerable importance. Its impact is strong when all other external sounds are properly drowned out. That’s why athletes are keen on high-quality sports headphones, properly designed to be worn and used during training. Their wireless design and lack of cables gives incredible comfort, and the profiled tips hold them perfectly in the ears even during intense and dynamic swings or jumps.

Portable speakers may also be an alternative choice. They are small, water and dust resistant, and play really loud. They will come in handy when playing on the field, camping with friends or during other activities with a larger group.

Training with Music Is Simply A Pleasure

Proper motivation is the key to success in any area of life, including sports. And music has always been one of the best methods of releasing an extra dose of energy. The above tips should, of course, be considered a hint, not the only valid theory. If a given athlete loves to prepare for a match by listening to bands such as Metallica or Iron Maiden, he doesn’t have to swap them for Armin Van Buuren or Tiesto. On the other hand, people who are accompanied by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Beethoven or Frederic Chopin during their workout should also not revolutionize their habits by downloading the songs of Jay-Z or Drake. After all, everyone has his or her own preferences, taste and style, which should be nurtured rather than conforming to imposed standards.

Exercise music is an important element of any workout. Listening to music lifts our spirits and makes us more motivated. Music adds variety to exercises that are sometimes monotonous. You can listen to it on your phone or memory card, and always keep a list of your favorite hits with you.