Who Knew Drake Could Improve Your Gym Session

Listening to music at the gym is common practice but do we really appreciate just how beneficial it is to our fitness form. While we like to think that the ‘Hot Line Bling’ will get us pumped for the weekend and run an extra mile or so, the benefits of listening to music when we exercise are far greater reaching. If you haven’t updated your gym playlist for some time, the following 5 reasons may prompt you to do so.  

1. Research has found that listening to music distracts us from our bodily awareness also known as “exercise pain”. In fact, some studies have found that music can elevate one’s athletic performance by as much as 15%, helping athletes keep their mind off the pain and on the end game. 

2. The right beat can make you work harder, and by the right beat, we really mean between 120-140 beats per minute to be exact. Studies have found that cyclists who listened to tunes that fell into this category performed better than their counterparts who listened to slower or faster music. 

3. Music will elevate your mood during those times you are struggling to commit to your session. Studies have found that the right music can help elevate your mood and allow you to feel more motivated and energized. 

4. The right tunes will help you pace yourself during your ritual run. This is because the rhythm of your workout music stimulates the motor area of the brain, helping you clue into timed signals more efficiently. 

5. Finally, let’s be honest. Who wants to listen to the moaning and graining of gym goers to the either side of you? Drake is much more appealing.