Load up your music streaming service of choice - be it Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer. Type ‘workout’ into the search bar, hit enter, and you’ll encounter countless playlists. Each one promises to deliver the ultimate exercise playlist right to your headphones to get you through a gym session or run.
But does music actually help you work out? Yes, and in more ways than you might think. According to research analysed by experts from the Brunel University of London, music has a pretty profound effect on a person’s exercise – to such a degree, some have described it as a legal performance-enhancing drug (via Scientific American).
It's a distraction
The most relatable benefit of soundtracking our gym and cardio sessions is the power music has to distract. Good tunes and hype vibes, cheesy bangers and rapid heavy metal riffs are all perfect for taking our minds off the monotony, difficulty and pain of working out. It’s something to occupy our minds away, keep us engaged and help us perform well.
It's a physical reaction
But as it turns out, more things are going on than we are strictly aware of. Songs we enjoy can release dopamine, which helps us feel good and relate more positively to the exercise experience. Further to this, music has been shown to have interesting physiological effects. For example, cycling in time with music has been proven to reduce the oxygen required by the body – a fact uncovered by researchers at Sheffield Hallam University.
Not all types of exercise benefit equally, however. Some research carried out in 2020 revealed that those engaging in an endurance-based activity – long-distance runners, for example, benefit more from music. It can lower fatigue and positively affect our mental state towards exercise, and help people train for longer.
What doesn’t music do?
While there are many benefits to listening to music, as shown above, there is no evidence to suggest that music changes peak performance.
This means that when you're working as hard as you physically can to your favourite song, technically, you aren't any stronger or faster than you would be without music. It's just that your perception of the challenge is probably more positive than it would be if you were training in silence.
The best workout music
There isn’t a set criterion for what makes a good workout track from a genre perspective, but certain musical characteristics do have an effect. One of the most researched is the effect of BPM – or Beats Per Minute. Depending on your workout, the optimal BPM changes. Here is a list of workouts and suggested BPM:
• Cycling: 135 - 180 BPM
• Running: 150 - 175 BPM
• Strength training: 108 - 150 BPM
• Yoga: 60 - 90 BPM
William Lobley is the Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in technology, gaming, and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.
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