Music When Working Out: Changing the Game

The thought of exercising for an hour can drive people to distraction. Throw in music when working out and it can be a game-changer.

A study published in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that observed participants in an exercise regime lasting 10 minutes, done on three different occasions with one conducted to motivational music, one while listening to a podcast and one carried out in silence, performed better with music.

The results showed that participants, during the motivational music stint, had higher heart rates and peak power output, with verbal feedback showing a greater enjoyment of the exercise thanks to the addition of music when working out.

How can I make exercising to music easier?

One logistical difficulty of being on the move – on a run for example – while listening to music, is the dangling wire that connects your ears to the device you’re listening to. More often than not your smartphone will be used to play a pre-constructed playlist but then comes the issue of the wire swinging from side to side and unsettling the ear part of your headphones, forcing you to stop repeatedly to adjust.

A possible solution? Why not try ear buds, which don’t have the wire connecting them to the phone and still provide a musical backdrop, and that much-needed boost, during exercise.

What are the choices?

There are plenty on the market to choose from when looking to add music when working out, with the Huawei FreeBuds 4 – with noise cancelling technology (remember to be aware of traffic around you) - coming in at £109.99; The Nothing Ear buds, with pressure-relieving vents, for £99, and the Marshal Major IV Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones, with an on-ear knob for easy control, for £129.

But most importantly, get out and do exercise of any sort to improve your health, fitness and wellbeing!