Anyone who knows anything about mental health and wellbeing will tell you that exercise plus music almost always equals a good mood.
Studies have shown that music optimises performance, delays the onset of tiredness and makes physical activity a lot more enjoyable for the reluctant gym member. There are so many reasons that the combination of exercise + music equals a divine partnership.
Making Music Your Workout
If you are a musician, you already know that music leads to a workout.
You can produce beats with the best snare drumthat get people moving and dancing. Your percussion provides the essential rhythm that gets people working out without trying!
It’s not just the sounds you produce for others, either. Playing the drums is the cardiovascular equivalent of an hour of running, lifting weights at the gym or varied aerobic activity.
If you really want to get your heartbeat going, you can join the latest cardio drumming fitness craze. This really is a thing and what’s great about it is you don’t need any specific drum knowledge or musical ability.
Dance Exercise
For many people, dance is the ultimate way to combine music with all round exercise and the most enjoyable. High impact dancing like jive or salsa can shed massive amounts of calories as well as being sociable and fun.
The rigorous exercise that results from dancing is why some forms of fitness dancing like Zumba have emerged, taking the world by storm. The songs in dance exercises provides motivation, keeps up a fast pace, and makes for an overall fun experience.
The Effect of Music on Physical Performance
A group of scientists led by Peter Terry, at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, undertook a study on the impact of music on physical performance using data gathered from over several decades.
The conclusions were compiled into a report called ‘Effects of music in exercise and sport: a meta-analytical review’. The easy conclusion is that music makes exercise more enjoyable, which is likely to have a big impact on those who want to exercise more and motivate those struggling to get started.
The study found that physiological benefits come first, followed by improved performance. The big takeaway is that mental health and wellbeing also experience a positive uplift.
Most people understand that exercise is recommended as an antidote for low mood and depression. To exercise with music is a double whammy for your mind. The right choice of music can also link you with good times from your past or represent future dreams and aspirations.
Final Thoughts
For exercise wannabees, a good tune could be all you need to finally cross that threshold into the gym! Use music as a stimulator, motivator, and physical and mental boost.
If you’re ready to experience this divine combo, compile a playlist to suit your mood or choice of exercise. Warm up, get motivated to power themes, shake it out, and then cool off and stretch out to calmer tunes.