Many of us get lost when we forget to put on our favorite playlist, and now science is proving that the sounds we choose can actually fuel our workouts. A study conducted by the University of Jyväskylä in Finlandfound that burning calories along with your favorite kicks can increase endurance by nearly 20%—without making the workout feel harder.
How was the study conducted?
For the study, 29 active adults were given two identical cycling trials, with each person programmed to compete at approximately 80% of their peak power. The first test was free audio, while the second test allowed participants to choose their own tunes.
What is the best BPM for workout music?
For those who like to curate their own playlists, self-selected tracks at a speed of about 120-140 beats per minute. This allows you to play up tempo to increase the intensity like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar, “Jump” by Van Halen or “These Days” by the Foo Fighters.
What did the research on exercise music find?
After completing both tests, data showed that sessions that allowed for self-selected music increased cycling time to exhaustion up to 20%, which means that the individuals received a higher cardiovascular load due to the longer duration of training, without increasing their average power value per minute.
The science behind music and exercise motivation
Okay, but how does curating your own playlist lead to more workout breaks? “Self-chosen music doesn’t change your fitness level or make your heart work harder at the same time – it just helps you endure sustained effort for longer.” Lead researcher Andrew Danso of the JYU Center of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body, and Brain. “It can be an incredibly simple and cost-effective tool that allows people to continue exercising without feeling extra pressure at the end. Our findings show that the right playlist can make difficult sessions more doable and enjoyable.”
Those who exercised while listening to their songs burned more energy than the longer sessions, but their heart rates and lactate levels were similar. Music seems to provide the key to sustaining long sessions. “A lot of people struggle to keep up with intense exercise because it gets tiring so quickly,” Danso said. “Our research shows that allowing people to choose their motivational music can help them accumulate more training time, which can lead to better fitness gains, improved adherence to exercise programs, and potentially more people staying active.”
The beat continues!
