Everyone knows the benefits of incorporating physical activity into daily life — improved cardiovascular health, longer life, and weight maintenance. But have you ever noticed the great feeling you get when you add music to your workout? It is not just a distraction to help you get through it faster. Many studies have found that music can actually help make you exercise more frequently, for longer periods of time, and with a greater intensity.

Music Can Increase Heart Rate

In a study from the 1970's, researchers found that heart rate can be affected by the introduction of music. The average heart rate is between 72 to 80 beats per minute, while music tempos range from 70 to 170 beats per minute. The studies, conducted on resting heart rate but applicable to the exercised heart, shows that any type of music can moderately increase the heart rate, likely due to the emotional effect of the beat. Increasing heart rate during physical activity can improve the fitness of the heart muscle, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Music Can Help You Keep Rhythm

Maintaining a certain stride is important during exercise. The faster you go, the more intense the workout and the greater the benefits. Music, particularly fast, up-beat music can help you keep up a brisk gait, ensuring that you are working out to your best potential. A study from 1990 found that participants could walk farther and with less effort when exercising to music as compared to no music. A separate study conducted in 2003 found that cyclists who listened to music increased their speed to the match the tempo of the music, increasing heart rate and power output.

Music May Help Relieve Exercise-Related Pain and Discomfort

The exact neurological effects of music on pain or discomfort are not well understood, but music appears to reduce factors that contribute to negative feelings such as stress and anxiety. A study conducted in 2005 found that music can help cope with the pain and discomfort felt during a hard workout. Music can also fight fatigue that may cause you to cut a workout short.

Music is a Motivator

A study of college students conducted in the late 1980's found that 97% of students enrolled in an aerobic dance class felt that the music played while exercising affected their performance. Most subjects reported that music evoked pleasant associations, improving their enjoyment and fulfillment of the physical activity. Enjoying your workout increases the likelihood that you will stick with it over the long-term.

What Type of Music to Choose

There is not one type of music that has been shown to be most effective for exercise. One small study found that students who listened to sedative music (as opposed to stimulating music) had a decrease in muscular fitness training ability, but another study found the opposite effect. Those who listed to slow, soft music walked and jogged on a treadmill longer than those listening to loud, fast music. Music style appears to be a greater motivator to exercise than either tempo or melody. Anything that motivates you to exercise longer or with more intensity will provide health benefits and faster results.

Remember Safety During Musical Workouts

While listening to music can bring a boost to your workout, keep safety in mind, particularly if you are exercising outdoors. Ensure that the volume is not at a level that can damage hearing. Also, do not play music so loudly so that you cannot hear a car, an unfriendly animal, or a stranger approaching.