Gym rats everywhere have known for a long time that it is simply easier to work out to music than it is to silence. New research conducted by Christopher Capuano, PhD, backs it up with actual scientific data. The study, conducted at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Psycology, found that listening to music boosts weight loss and helps people work out more regularly.
Over a period of 24 weeks, a group of overweight women maintained a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen. They also met for weekly group sessions on lifestyle change. Half of the women were told to listen to music while they walked. While all of the women lost weight, the loss was twice as much for the group that had access to music.
Capuano reasoned that this phenomenon is due to the fact that music allows people to stick to a workout regime better by keeping it interesting. It keeps people from being bored and distracts them from the physical exertion of exercise.
This is a significant breakthrough for those who want to lose weight as keeping the body in motion should complement diets. To maximize the connection of music and fitness, the following tips are recommended.
Focus on the convenience
Gone are the days when people have to lug around large transistor radios or even walkmans. Recent developments in technology have allowed people to have music players that are smaller in size and more convenient to carry around. For those who want to exercise with the music on, this represents good news because the player does not have to interfere with the movements of the body. In addition to this, various songs can be downloaded to just one player without the need to keep on switching tapes or discs, which can ruin the momentum in a workout.
Make the music yours
What sounds good for one person may not be such a hot idea for another. The music selected for exercise should reflect the individual tastes and preferences of a person. That means that no genre is off limits. Any kind of music, from pop to classical, can work to help encourage weight loss. Take note that the reason why music works is that it distracts the person from the strain felt during exercise and thus allows him or her to stick to the program more consistently. It necessarily follows then that the songs have to suit their style.
Prepare in Advance
As effective as music is when it comes to weight loss, some of the benefits can be lost if people keep on stopping all the time to switch songs or look for new tunes. Combat this occurrence by preparing a playlist even before you hit the gym. This will allow you to focus on the exercise rather than fiddle with your music player.
Stay on the beat
People naturally move to the rhythm they hear. Even the least musically inclined or those with two left feet can match their movement to the tempo that they hear. Thus, the best workout music songs are those that are fast-paced and upbeat. This will help keep the pace of the exercise fast and lead to the burning of more calories. That does not mean, however, that slower forms of music are useless to exercise. Remember that any workout should be preceded and ended with stretching. Use slower beats to accompany warm-up and cool-down movements.
Create a soundtrack
There are some songs that can instantly make a person energized. Who does not think that they can run up long staircases when the song “Eye of the Tiger” plays? Choose certain workout favorites and play them at the time when it is likely that the exercise program will hit a wall. For example, if squats are your least favorite and represent a struggle, then that should be the time when the most energetic and motivational song should play. Also, the body does have a natural rhythm that it follows. Past the 25 minute mark people tend to feel bored and tired already. Stay ahead of the game and prepare the tunes that will address this situation.
Remember that whatever the diet, it should always be supported by regular exercise in order to lose weight effectively. Diet and exercise are two concepts that go hand in hand when it comes to achieving the goal of long-term nutrition and fitness. And this is where music comes into play. Control how many calories you take in and let the music help you control how many you burn off!
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