How music can boost your workout for weight loss in Chandler and Scottsdale
“Work it harder, make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger.” – Daft Punk
Since the dawn of man, every civilized culture has made music. From the first harps and flutes of ancient Egypt to the pulsing rhythms of clubs today, music has always had an unrivaled ability to make us move.
This is why music has always been so closely integrated with dance in our culture: it gets our hearts pounding, our blood pumping and our toes tapping. Listen to the infectious rhythms of one of your favorite, up-tempo songs and try not to bob your head or move your feet—it is difficult not to!
During weight loss, music can be a powerful motivational ally, helping you push a little further during each workout and enjoy burning calories more. Research has proven music’s efficacy as a workout booster, allowing us to push ourselves harder and faster even when fatigued. Music can boost our mood during exercise, reducing the amount of effort we perceive to help every workout feel more like fun and less like a chore.
As you lose weight and build up stamina during medical weight loss, the right playlist can help you optimize every workout. Regardless of your chosen activity or fitness level, putting together the right mix of motivating songs can push to work harder as you strive for your weight loss goal.
Are you ready to take weight loss to the next level? Start putting together the perfect playlist with these tips:
Pick What You Like
Much of music’s effect on us comes from its cultural impact. When we hear a song often, we tend to enjoy it more, which gives us a stronger motivational boost during exercise. Because of this, the ideal picks for your workout playlist should be songs you’re already familiar with, the high-energy tunes you might throw on during a great party or sunny summer drive.
There are also many specific songs that we associate with athletic determination, whether through movies, TV or their use at sporting events. Songs like “Eye of the Tiger” or “Chariots of Fire” may remind us of the inspiring moments these songs accompanied in the past, summoning up thoughts of overcoming adversity and beating the odds. We’re pre-conditioned to feel motivated by these songs—some of them may seem cheesy to you now, but they may just give you the little extra boost you need during your workout.
Keep Up the Tempo
The best tracks for your workout playlist will be those with truly energetic beats, songs that make it impossible for you to sit still. Research has shown that coordinating your steps or reps to the beat of an up-tempo track can subconsciously cause you to work harder while also reducing the amount of effort you perceive.
The perfect tempo for a workout track will be between 120 and 140 beats per minute (BPM). As a frame of reference, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is about 120 BPM, while “Beat It” is nearly 140. You don’t have to force yourself to stick with these parameters—any song with high energy or an inspirational message can be valuable for your playlist. If you want to know how effective your favorite tunes might be in improving your workout, check out songbpm.com. This is a great online tool for determining the tempo of any track, but you can also try the smartphone app Cadence, which will play songs from your library based on the tempo you select.
What are some of your favorite workout songs for weight loss in Chandler? Share them with us in the comments below!