Music for physical performance in gyms fitness clubs
A gym consultant perspective on music in gyms fitness studios
Music has proven benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing as it can help boost motivation and performance on a variety of different tasks.
Whether it be repetitive lyrics in a hip-hop track during a fitness studio spinning class with the resistance set high or more of a house beat in a functional fitness HIIT session in a gym, either way the effect is an increase in efficiency in both behavioral and cognitive respects.
the science behind why music boosts our fitness performance in gyms
The research explaining this modest increase in performance that music provides is constantly being expanded upon , a number of different theories currently exist.
the happiness theory in gym and fitness studio workouts
The seemingly obvious explanation is that listening to music in the background while doing a taxing task such as a gym working out, makes it more enjoyable and if something is fun, we are more likely to stay engaged.
Hearing a certain song or genre of music has the potential to vastly increase hormonal production for things such as serotonin, the happy drug. The more serotonin released, the happier an individual becomes and the more they are going to chase that feeling.
Studying music in relation to performance is primarily focused on sports and other activities along that theme. Several articles from the National Center for Health Research have sought to answer questions about how music can affect physical activities of different intensities.
the distraction theory in gym and fitness studio workouts
The article presents two theories for why this may be that it causes a delay in the onset of fatigue, meaning that listening to music while doing intense activities, distracts from pain or tiredness that is associated with working out, for example. Music, in this way, acts as a distraction.
the increase in work capacity theory
There is an increase in working capacity. According to a study published as part of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, effects of music lead to “higher-than-expected levels of endurance, power, productivity, or strength.”
All of this of course depends on several factors including but not limited to intensity of activity, individual preferences, and properties of the music itself. Not everyone is the same in the music that motivates them just like not all tasks require the same amount of vigor as one another.
The same UK lab that proposed the theories on motivation mentioned above, conducted studies comparing music tempo ideal for treadmill activities to cycling and found there was a variation but only slightly for these low to moderate intensity activities.
They also found that these increases in performance due to music listening, seem to almost disappear when the task reaches high levels of intensity; presumably because the fatigue trumps the distraction aspect.
the role of serotonin in fitness performance
A few more things to keep in mind when thinking about why music can increase performance are the implications implied by changes in arousal in hormones and satisfaction. For example, an increase in serotonin as previously mentioned, has the potential to not only increase motivation but also boost brain connections between different systems.
Some of these brain systems control sensory and motor processes that support the functions that allow people to do goal-oriented tasks. The acquisition of motor skills comes from music’s ability to replicate forms of bodily rhythm and human locomotion that can through effective movement patterns, provides visual to accompany sound.
This visual component makes the experience multi-sensorial which aids in better tasks completion because it allows for the intake/ processing of more information at once.
There is also an important component to keep in mind that has to do with satisfaction. If the music rhythm makes the pace of the task, there is a satisfying component that increases intrinsic motivation and in turn, boost performance ability and duration.
Music doesn’t just target one aspect that goes into performance, there are a wide range of processes that could be explanations for why we see an increase when listening to music.
Motivational mantras and catchy rhythms/ lyrics inspire harder work and endurance. Working out in tune with a track’s beat is one some level satisfying and therefore acts as a motivating factor.
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Hodges, D.A. (2009) Bodily Responses to Music. In S. Hallam, I. Cross and M. Thaut (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology, (pp. 121-130). New York: Oxford University Press. Tenenbaum G. A social-cognitive perspective of perceived exertion and exertion tolerance. In: Singer R.N., editor; Hausenblas H.A., Janelle C., editors.Handbook of sport psychology. New York: Wiley; 2001. pp. 810–822.
Karageorghis, C.I., Priest, D.L., Williams, L.S., Hirani, R.M., Lannon, K.M., & Bates, B.J. (2010). Ergogenic and psychological effects of synchronous music during circuit-type exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11(6), 551-559.
Karageorghis, C. I., & Terry, P. C. (1997). The psychophysical effects of music in sport and exercise: A review. Journal of Sport Behavior, 20(1), 54.