Strong Bodies = Strong Minds

Robert Dobó

Here we are 2006, I finally decided to join the 21st Century and I bought myself an MP3 player. I wanted to listen to some tunes when I worked out and what better device that a player the size of my pinkie finger that’ll hold a few hundred songs. No more 8-track player for me. (I really do still own an operational 8-track) Anyways working out to music got me curious. Does music affect intensity of workouts? I hope to answer that question with this article.

I researched several articles, written by Ph.D.’s who have probably never seen the inside of a gym, they tended to refer back to each other for their reasons why music is effective, but seemed more intent on showing off their doctorates than actually answer the question of exercising to music. So I decided to use my own experience as the basis for this article and be damned with the Ph.D.’s.

So I cranked up my new MP3 player, first song out of the box was Marilyn Manson’s ‘The Beautiful People’. The first thing I notice is I was suddenly excited about the task at hand. The day’s troubles seemed to melt away. I found it to be a stimulant prior to workout. I was psyched up and ready to hit the iron.

Second benefit I found was on cardio exercises my attention was diverted away from the sensations of fatigue and I was able to work out harder because I wasn’t thinking about how tired my legs were getting.

The third benefit I found to be was the beat helped keep my working to a good tempo, keeping my timing and getting a great workout. The timing benefit helped enhance my motor skills.

So the next question is what music should you be listening to? Obviously this can be debated over and over. But I think we can agree on a few aspects. The music has to have a good beat, a good rhythm, and an upbeat tempo.

My personal favorites are AC/DC, Run DMC, Beastie Boys and Marilyn Manson. But that is personal choice. Everyone has their favorite tunes and should choose from them when putting together a playlist for your workout.

In conclusion, get out the MP3 player, stereo or radio, and get the tunes playing when you workout, you will quickly see an improvement in your stamina and tempo that will overall give you a better workout. Just choose the music wisely to your own tastes.

By Robert Dobó
Underground Strength Coach
Owner of www.HealthBells.com