The benefits of listening to music while running are clear. Do you need help Finding Your Rhythm?
Benefits of Finding Your Rhythm
Running can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to maintain a consistent pace or push yourself to achieve a new personal best. However, incorporating music into your running routine can be an effective way to help you find your rhythm, stay motivated, and push through challenging moments.
Listening to music while exercising can have a significant impact on your performance. This article from the Brunel University in London found that “listening to music can enhance endurance by 15% and improve the ‘feeling states’ of exercisers, helping them to derive much greater pleasure from the task.
One significant new finding is that music can help exercisers to feel more positive even when they are working out at a very high intensity – close to physical exhaustion.“
Other studies found that listening to music during exercise can improve oxygen uptake and energy efficiency. The results showed that those who listened to music had a higher-oxygen uptake and were able to exercise more efficiently compared to those who did not listen to music.
What is it About Finding Your Rhythm?
What is it about music and finding your rhythm that makes it such a powerful tool for runners?
For one, music can be a distraction from the physical discomfort that often comes with running. When you’re focused on the beat of a song, you’re less likely to focus on any aches or pains you may be experiencing. Additionally, music can help to regulate your breathing and pace, which can lead to a more efficient and effective workout.
Personally, I like to mix it up (pun intended) and listen to my breathing from time to time.
But don’t be fooled and think it’s just about the physical benefits.
Listening to music while running can also have a positive impact on your mental state. Music can reduce stress and anxiety, which can be especially helpful if you’re using running as a form of stress relief.
It can also can evoke emotions that can help to enhance your overall mood and make your run feel more enjoyable.
This account on Twitter brings running and music together. It is a great source of encouragement and tunes. It’s run by Jimmy Watkins who is a musician, former GB athlete and all round good guy. He posts very very entertaining music review videos. Check this for motivation.
What Music Can Do For You
Listening to music can have a profound effect on your mood and motivation.
It can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
This can lead to a sense of pleasure and euphoria, which can be especially helpful during exercise when the body is under stress.
Music can also trigger powerful emotions. For example, listening to upbeat and energizing music can help you feel more alert and motivated, while slower and more calming music can help you feel relaxed and focused.
The right music can help you feel more confident and powerful, and can even bring to mind a sense of nostalgia or connection to a particular memory or experience – that concert, that date, that time you danced sobre :O(
Selecting The Right Music
When it comes to selecting the right music for your running routine, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, choose music that matches the tempo of your run. Music tempo and running pace are very important. This can help to regulate your pace and keep you on track. You will struggle to run fast to a slow plodding tune and vice versa (see video above!)
Also, choose music that motivates you and fires positive emotions. Whether you prefer upbeat pop songs or calming instrumental tracks, choose music that makes you feel good and helps you stay focused on your goals.
I like to run to pounding beats and driving bass lines, others may not. It’s got to work for you.
If I do an easy run I listen to a slower-paced mellower selection.
Be sure to select music that is appropriate and safe for your workout environment. If you’re exercising outdoors, make sure to choose music that doesn’t completely block out important sounds like traffic or other potential hazards.
How To Listen To Music While Running
Many of you will run with your mobile phones which are great little mp3 players. If you can, I would recommend using Bluetooth headphones as you remove the agitation of strangling yourself with a cable.
These are well-regarded per Amazon reviews and hook over the ears so sweating doesn’t cause them to fall out.
An alternative to taking the phone is a watch with music capability.
This for many of us was the holy grail. Phone-free, cable-free pounding along on a run. Heaven.
I use this Garmin watch (see below Fenix 7) with Bluetooth in-ear headphones and you can either load music to it or link to your favourite music streaming platform. It’s more than a running watch so comes at a premium but an amazing piece of kit.
However, there are cheaper alternatives (see Vivofit 4) which give you fitness tracking and running musical freedom. What’s not to like?
NB Old Skool Vinyl is not recommended for runs!!!!
Running Playlists
In terms of the music services or indeed your own library, consider creating a playlist with a mix of genres and styles. Variety can help prevent boredom and keep you engaged throughout your workout. Including a mix of genres and styles can also help you find the right music for different types of workouts or moods.
Alternatively download a podcast. I came across this website many years ago and while not really my preferred taste in music, I found the ability to choose a BPM range helpful as a starting point for my running soundtrack. Another runner giving back to the community!
Why Finding Your Rhythm Works
There are several factors that can make music uplifting and have a positive effect on our mood. It’s probably a little primaeval back to caveman time when we banged the drums for a party.
Tempo: Uplifting music often has a fast tempo that can seem to match the rhythm of our heartbeat and increase our energy level. Music with a moderate tempo can also be uplifting, providing a sense of relaxation and calm.
Harmony: Harmonious music with a pleasant melody can evoke positive emotions and feelings of joy, happiness, and contentment. That big tune from a big night out!
Lyrics: Lyrics that are positive, inspiring, and empowering can make a song uplifting. Lyrics that are about overcoming obstacles, finding love or happiness, or pursuing dreams can evoke feelings of optimism and hope.
Rhythm: Music with a strong, consistent rhythm can have a motivating and uplifting effect, encouraging us to move and dance. Bounce along.
Instrumentation: The use of instruments such as guitar, drums, and piano can create an uplifting and energetic sound that can inspire positive emotions. I love a euphoric musical ending to my runs with lush synths or towering pianos and often try to get the mix providing that. Run for an hour? Make the last ten minutes the piece that delivers.
Personal connection: Music that holds personal meaning or significance can be especially uplifting, evoking memories or feelings of nostalgia that make us feel good. Eye of the Tiger anyone? :O)
Before You Go!
I love to run and share my experiences along the way. I write about stuff which keeps me motivated and inspires me to get out and run.
