Every workout should be accompanied by a good soundtrack. Working out with your favorite tunes is a great way to burn those calories in a more enjoyable way; and beyond offering your ears something fun to hear, it can also distract you from the pain of a training session. That and not only! Here are 5 ways in which music can enhance your workout session.
- A good kind of distraction. Music can distract your brain from the physical stress of exercising. It lowers your perception of effort and pain by as much as 10 per cent, and that tricks your mind into feeling less fatigued.
- It can elevate your mood and energy. Not to mention your moves!
- Helps increase endurance and the actual enjoyment of the exercise. You can push yourself a little bit further simply by playing the right soundtrack, making it more of a pleasure than a chore.
- A beat can help you keep pace. The rythm of your workout music stimulates the motor area of the brain, thereby aiding self-paced exercises such as running, jogging or weight-lifting.
- Helps you maintain intensity. You are more likely to sustain a higher level of intensity while listening to upbeat music. Best results are obtained from choosing songs with about 120 - 140 beats per minute, which relates to the average person's heart rate during a routine workout.
Having said that, here's some help in upgrading your playlist with fresh power-up songs that will keep you working out longer and harder!