Music is vital for effective workout or training
Five reasons why music should always accompany any workout or practice session
February 17, 2016: Whether you are a budding sportsperson, or a middle aged executive trying to get back in shape, you may find exercise to be tedious and impossible to bear, once the first burst of adrenaline wears off. Let’s face it, very few of us have the optimum physique we dream of, although virtually everyone knows how fitness can be acquired.
After delving into a three year long research journey, involving a number of consultants and industrial designers, we, the team of Zebion, makers of Limitless Sound System,s have found the solution to be evidently simpl –‘Music’. Former Wimbledon Champion and World Number 1, John McEnroe once said, “Music is about the only thing that makes practice bearable’’. In his trademark haughty style, Macemphasized how dreary and bleak a six hour practice session could be. The dire need for some form of stimulation is something hundreds of other players have also expressed, including John’s main adversary on and off the court, Ivan Lendl. In a coaching video, Lendl said “I have speakers in the trees around my private tennis court,and I seem to play my very best when my favourite song sticks in my head”. If McEnroe and Lendl believed in the merits of practicing to music in the early 80’s, today’s generation of tennis players have taken it to a new level. Who can forget scenes of young Victoria Azarenka putting on her favourite headphone, and visibly on camera, trying to bring herself to a psychosomatic peak, moments before a Grand Slam final.
Music gives both, sportspersons and fitness enthusiasts rhythm while it motivates people to play their best. At Zebion, when our team began designing the Limitless range of sports headphones and speakers, we took a deep dive into the effect of music on everyday people, as they exercise or play sports. To our surprisee we found that a good amount of empirical research existed on the topic of music instigating action. The work of famed Neurologist, Oliver Sacks, particularly gave us useful insights.
Based on all that we have learned here are some seriously compelling reasons, as to why you should always have music around you while doing workouts or training.
- Music Detracts you from bodily awareness such as pain, agony or discomfort and makes considerable positive psychological impact. -:
- Music puts you ‘in the Zone’. An enjoyable song conjures up memories, putting you in a trancelike state which dissipates stress and lowers anxiety levels.When in the “zone” athletes are capable of reaching peak performance without feeling the pain.
- Music helps change your mood, elevate positivity, suppress negativity and escape fear.For those athletes suffering from pre-competition anxiety, music can be used to boost mood, self-esteem and confidence
- Music boosts your effort level and brings you to a crescendo. The greatest power of motivational music is the ability to bring the subject (or athlete) to a peak state.
- Leverage the power of ‘Synchronous Music’: This refers to uptempo songs, with a strong beat that coincides with the repetitive movements of your chosen sport. It’s this kind of music that produces dramatically improved performance particularly in sports that demand endurance and repetitive movements – such as cross country running, skiing or roller skating.
Thus far we have seen how music impacts the workout experience. However we would be remiss if we did not also give you some pointers on how best you can use your sporting sound systems. So here are 4 essential tips which we gathered during our research:
1) Maintain a musical tempo between 110- 140 beats per minute: In musical terminology this range may be termed“allegro”, indicating lively paced music but not touching extreme levels. This tempo range is expected to motivate you to work longer and harder rather than give you momentary escalation, as per studies conducted by Dr. Costas Karageorghis, asports psychology expert at Brunel University in London. Fortunately when you buy songs from various internet sites these days you can usually find BPM information readily available. If not,you can lookup various sites.
2) Your headset should be infallible: This simply means that the headset you use must be of a modern sporty design that will stay plugged in your ear despite vigorous physical activity. We certainly recommend adopting Bluetooth headsets which are wireless.
3) Beat the Elements: Being a sport headset, it should also be resistant to sweat and weather elements. I personally sweat profusely and sometimes my jogging head phone getsclammy, but this does not affect the sound quality nor ruin the device despite months of use”, said a Gym Trainer
4) Watch the volume: While the positive effects of music on workout are well established, you should not go overboard with the volume or bass.
5) Tag-along speakers are perfect companion: This article is not nearly to suggest that you pursue music in the gym but rather that you start developing a fitter lifestyle by pursuing many more activities of recreation and leisure in your discretionary time, using good music as an enabler. This is when the use of Tag-along speakers is highly suited.
About the Author and Company
Zebion is a pioneer in the electronics industry, with a long history of innovative products and new-age design. Founded in 2004, Zebion specializes in three main verticals – Computer Peripherals, Security Systems and – Consumer Electronics. Zebion is among few Indian companies to have product design and development centres (in Taiwan and Hong Kong). Since 2012 Zebion has begun a serious drive towards designing and developing sound systems that support sporting and recreational activities. They began a research initiative in 2012 to study the impact of Music on athletes and common people who either pursue some kind of physical activity or pastime, or intend to do so.
