Why Do a Workout with Music?
Music and exercise go together like peanut butter and jelly. Do you have a favorite workout playlist? It’s worth putting one together. Exercising to music has some big, scientifically-proven benefits:
- Music can boost your mood and stamina during a workout, which could make your sweat session last longer
- Faster-paced music can increase your performance, whether that’s your pace, the number of repetitions you complete or the distance you travel
- Music can distract you from the physical activity, making you focus less on fatigue
How to choose songs for your playlist:
- Select songs that you enjoy – these will boost your levels of serotonin, putting you in a good mood
- Pick songs with a fast-paced, steady beat; you may naturally begin to synchronize your workout with the tempo, and exercise harder
- Add music that you have an emotional connection with: Not only will the song be inspiring, but it can also transport you to another
Some tools to help:
- fm can help you find music that matches your ideal pace on a run, walk or bike ride
- PaceDJ organizes music you’ve already downloaded into playlists that match your pace goals
To get you started, here are the top 10 songs about an active lifestyle:
- Take a Walk on the Wild Side through your local park.
Click here for a list of Decatur’s parks. - Hit the Road Jack and relieve all that stress you have.
- These Boots Are Made for Walking up a mountain.
- Running Down a Dream, toward a healthier weight.
- Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay after a good swim.
Click here for a list of Decatur’s pools. - Life is a Highway and it’s great for biking.
Join Guild+Journeyman for Friday & Saturday bikes rides – March through October. - Born to Run, especially if it’s a Monday.
- Walk This Way to a healthier lifestyle.
- I Get Around…because I like to bike.
- Let’s Do the Twist, with some yoga.
Check out all our yoga offerings at all 3 recreation centers!