Can a good song or playlist on your iPod kick your workout into high gear? Does it matter how loud the music plays? I've always felt more motivated when I have fun music to listen to during my workout. Now new research shows it's not only what's playing, but the volume of the music that could affect the quality of your workout- specifically your strength training regime. The study involved active women who performed three different exercise tests: one with music set at their preferred level, one with music set just below their preferred level, and one with music set just above their preferred level (assuming it wasn't loud enough to cause hearing damage.) The result? Regardless of the volume level, listening to music helped the women perform better during their cardio workout and get to their target heart rate. But when it came to strength training, women could perform more repetitions before fatiguing when the music volume was set the loudest. The researchers concluded that music helps pump you up and can distract you from the pain of the workout, allowing you to push through it a little harder than you might have before. Just be careful not to blast the music too much. Prolonged exposure to noise that's too loud can cause hearing loss. I find that certain songs encourage me to run a little faster, and sometimes if I turn up the volume, I'll push the pace even more. Music has a positive affect on my workouts, whether I'm doing cardio or strength training. I keep a notepad in my car, using it to jot down songs I could picture myself running or lifting to. I prefer listening to mixes of music versus an album of one artist. A few of my favorites right now are songs by Black Eyed Peas and Rihanna. Do you listen to music while working out? Do you notice that the volume has an affect on your workout? Does it matter if you're doing cardio or strength training? What are some of your favorite workout tunes these days? |
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