Tune in to working out

  The benefits of music this National Fitness Day 

Picture of Rhiannon Jepson

It feels like every time you turn on the TV these days, there is some form of sporting fixture flashing up on the channels list. 

Football, the Olympics, and equestrian events are just some of the variations of sports that have been aired lately.

But even if you’ve not kicked a football since school or never quite got to grips with the scoring system in tennis, (and let’s face it, only turned on the TV to catch up with the latest drama you were streaming) you still might find yourself cheering on the three lions or wondering who is going to win in the latest head-to-head darts game.

You might also find yourself feeling inspired and considering if this is the time to renew that gym membership or buy those new running shoes.

Understandably though, it can be difficult sometimes to find the time and motivation to embark on your fitness journey. But music can help!

To mark National Fitness Day on September 18th, we’ve put together some tips for using music when exercising and reasons why listening to music can be beneficial – from warming up to cooling down. 

Get into your groove

Listening to music when working out can boost the mood and make people feel more positive, just as it might when out at your favourite restaurants or enjoying listening to the radio on your drive home. It can make the experience more enjoyable, make the time pass quicker and also make people feel more motivated and engaged.

According to our survey, 68% of people said music keeps them motivated when exercising, and 38% said it makes them work harder.1 Listening to music, both before and during a workout, can be a great way to get into the right frame of mind and help us to strive to achieve our goals.

Just think how listening to one or two more songs from your favourite new artists while on a treadmill might help you to run that extra mile, or how tuning into an old-school playlist and getting lost in the nostalgia might help with those last 10 press ups.

As British Superbike Racer, Brayden Elliot explains, “music for me is a tool that I use for my mindset in so many different areas of my life. It gives me something to look forward to in a way, you put music on, put some good tunes on, when I’m in that zone, I can just completely visualise something else. All of a sudden, you look down and you’re halfway through your workout and I haven’t noticed. Without music I would definitely struggle to get myself into that zone.” 2

Playing on

Whatever our workout type or level, music can be a great way to focus our minds and help us to get into the flow of our workouts – particularly when listening to songs we enjoy.

According to Music Therapist, Marianne Rizkalla, “the best music to listen to while training is by an artist, or within a genre, that you know and love.” 3 So why not research fitness classes that are tailored around a certain style of music or consider creating your own playlist for workouts filled with songs you really enjoy.

But, as Marianne also goes on to explain, “it’s important to choose a tempo that suits your activity”3, so keep this in mind when choosing the music for a workout. “The beat you run to will probably not be the same speed as the beat you lift weights to, so consider switching up your playlists and choose tracks you think you can keep on the beat with.” 3

Similarly, it can be a good idea to adjust the songs we listen to during cool-down to help us to reset and bring us back to a relaxed frame of mind.

Listening to slow, calming music can slow us down gradually after a workout and help the workout to end well, meaning we feel more positive about future workouts.

These are just some of the ways music can benefit you this National Fitness Day so you can tune in to workout out.  For more information, visit https://pplprs.co.uk/productivity1/training-sports-performance/

 

References

  1. Survey performed by Attest based on 300 UK adults, in June 2022
  2. https://pplprs.co.uk/engagement/wheels-of-steel/
  3. https://pplprs.co.uk/productivity1/training-sports-performance/

Author

Picture of Rhiannon Jepson

Rhiannon Jepson

Rhiannon Jepson is a Member of The Chartered Institute of Public Relations and has worked in communication roles for around 7 years. She joined PPL PRS in November 2017, shortly after studying for a degree in English Literature, where she developed her love of writing and creativity. Since then, she has completed the CIPR Foundation course and enjoys bringing together her love of communications and music through her role as Senior PR & Communications Executive.
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