Music can boost your fitness outcomes

There’s something about listening to your favorite tunes that puts you in the mood to dance or move your body. Whether you like classic rock, pop, or something in between, finding a playlist to jam to while you exercise is an important part of your fitness plan.  

In a study done by the Psychological Bulletin, listening to music while you exercise can make you feel better about what you accomplished. Music may allow you to focus less on the exercise you’re doing and more on the beat or rhythm you’re listening to. In fact, according to the study, fast music with a tempo greater than 120 beats-per-minute had a greater affect than slower music. “This is something that I intuitively felt for as long as I have been running.  A catchy beat gets your focus and it sort of pushes you forward,” said Svetlana Kotova, MD, a thoracic surgeon at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.

Listening to music with a faster beat may encourage you to walk a little faster, pedal a little quicker or box at a speedier rate.

A study done by Oxford, suggests that listening to pleasing music may have a direct correlation with increased serotonin levels. This could help put you in a better mood to enjoy your workout. It may also make you more likely to maintain a workout routine.

Since everyone has a different preference for pace and intensity in a workout it’s best to pick a music style that fits your activity level for the day. For example, you may want to listen to more mellow tunes if you’re doing tai chi or yoga, and something more fast paced if you’re doing a cycle class or speed walking. Listen to your body and mind to discover which music choices work best for you.

“My music is fast-paced as I like to get a workout,” shared Dr. Kortova. “I typically do not focus on the words; just on the beat that propels me forward.”

Listen to all of Dr. Kortova’s favorite songs here. We hope that her selections inspire you to create your own playlist.