When crafting a playlist, it’s tempting to just throw all your favourite songs together. But there is a science behind what makes a great gym playlist and how music can impact your body generally. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
Not only does a great playlist make working out a lot more fun, but it also helps the time go by.
When crafting a playlist, it’s tempting to just throw all your favourite songs together.
But believe it or not, there is a science behind what makes a great gym playlist – and how music can impact your body more generally.
“Music is able to increase stimulation, as there’s a connection between auditory neurons and motor neurons. That’s why music often makes us more mobile and motivates our body to move,” explained Making Music Mag.
In a 2008 study from Costas Karageorghis, an associate professor of sport psychology at Brunel University in England, found that songs’ tempos should be between 120 and 140 beats per minute – which is also, roughly, the average person’s heart rate while working out.
Here are a few playlist suggestions from certified personal trainers around the United States:
“Music gets my mind off of what I’m doing in the gym,” Chaniece Tarpley, a certified personal trainer, nutritionist and on-line coach, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Here are Tarpley’s must-have songs: Wish by Kehlani, Notice Me by SZA, Tomorrow 2 by Glorilla and Cari B, A** Like That by Victoria Monet, and Players by Coi Leray.
“Lyrics are important,” said Joy Dossman, a certified personal trainer.
“Subliminally, we are feeding our minds, whether we’re aware of it or not. So I play clean music.”
Keeping it clean, here are Dossman’s must-haves: Communion by Mike Teezy, Sleepin! by Nobigdyl, Joyful Noise by Flame, and For The Father by Young Bro.
“Music is the whole heartbeat of a workout!” said Jules Gomez, personal trainer, nutrition coach, and fitness director at Sanctuary Fitness LA. “It also keeps you distracted form the voice in your head that tells you to quit.”
Here are Gomez’s favourite motivational songs: Sweetest Pie by Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa, Super Freaky Girl by Nicki Minaj, Yo Perro Sola by Bad Bunny, Do It Do It (Tiesto Remix) by ACRAZE, Tiesto and Cherish, and Level Up by Ciara.
Popular music app like Apple, Spotify and Pandora have great workout playlists for those who don’t have the time, or interest, to create a personal playlist.
Spotify’s Beat Mode playlist has more than nine hours of music dedicated to keep you working out. – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Tribune News Service
