"Music Soothes the Savage Beast." However, listening to music during exercise can have quite the opposite affect by promoting energy. Let’s just hope that you do not turn into a beast! Many studies have shown that performance increases exponentially when combining music into your workout.
Researchers have suggested that listening to fast-tempo music during exercise promotes energy and increased performance. Dr. Karageorghis from Brunel University found that a song’s tempo of 120 to 140 beats-per-minute is optimum for exercise. That pace coincides with the range of most commercial dance music and rock songs. Listeners develop “an aesthetic appreciation for that tempo,” he said. This tempo also roughly corresponds to the average exercise heart rate.
I prefer to listen to light rock music at the beginning of my routine, heavy rock and rap during the workout and reggae post workout. During your workout routine, try listening to Iron Maiden, Social Distortion, Metallica, Dropkick Murphy’s, MegaDeath, and The Game. Of course, the Rocky IV soundtrack is always a remedy for sluggish days at the gym (weights or cardio). When taking a long jog, try listening to dance or pop music.
Elite athletes have been known to listen to music during their workout routines and prior to competitions. Michael Phelps listens to music before competing. It is said that he enjoys Young Jeezy, Eminem, & Lil Wayne.
For those of us with short attention spans, you should try listening to a new album that you have yet to hear during your workout. This will help to damper boredom that you may experience during your workout, since you are engaging in an extra activity.