Turn that Music Up- It Helps Your Fitness!

Most people will agree that listening to music not only motivates them during a workout, but also helps them work harder. Hundreds of studies have been performed and here is what has been found:

•    Tempo Matters: Most people have an instinct to synchronize their movements and expressions with music—to nod their heads, tap their toes or break out in dance—even if they repress that instinct in many situations. 

•    Music Distracts from Fatigue:  The human body is constantly monitoring itself. Music competes with this physiological feedback for the brain’s conscious attention, keeping you moving longer.

•    Tailor to the correct BPM:  Whatever musical style you favor, you might want to check the beats per minute (bpm) on an app.   Choose songs that mirror your heart rate, depending on the level of exercise.  For instance when warming up and cooling down, pick slower songs that have tempos within the 80-90 bpm range.  As you pick up the pace to a moderately intense level, choose songs within the 120-140 bpm range are ideal. 

•    Be Mindful of Volume:  High-intensity music coupled with high-intensity exercise can cause temporary hearing loss.