Music can make or break a workout. It can alter your pace, and push you to go harder when you thought you had nothing left.
Unfortunately, most athletes are NOT using music to its potential! They put it on to make workouts “less boring”.
That’s cool – but if you’re just using music to distract yourself from the “boredom” of workouts, I’ve got two things to say to you:
You need more exciting workouts 😉
You’re missing out on a whole ‘nother kind of workout that only good music can give you
In this blog post, we’re going over 3 ways to use music to revolutionize your workouts. Try them out and let us know what you think.
1. Move to the rhythm
Dancers’ entire bodies move as one harmonious unit. Everything from head to toe is in sync, playing off the rhythm of the music, creating amazing movements.
All athletes actually do this too. The soccer player dribbling downfield requires her entire body to move in sync to keep up her pace, and keep control. The football player has to juggle the weight of his gear, the ball cradled under his arm, the opponents closing in.
But there’s really nothing like music to train your body’s limbs to work together. So when you work out, work out to music. And make all of your movements to the rhythm.
Whether you’re jogging, lifting, or drilling – make your movements so harmonious that they’re almost a dance. Make your body into one unstoppable unit that moves in sync.
If you’re jogging – make the stride of your legs, the bounce of your shoulders, and the swing of your arms move to the rhythm. If you’re lifting, push and pull the weights to the beat of the music. If you’re drilling, focus on how your entire body interacts as you work your moves.
If you feel like you’re dancing, you’re doing it right. And you’re going to have a heck of a lot more fun, too 😉
2. Listen to what gets you goin’ – and forget everyone else.
As athletes, we’re all about the team. Even wrestlers – who go into matches alone – have to support the other wrestlers. After all, it’s the overall score of the team that determines victory.
Every team has its natural leaders. The guys and gals everyone looks up to.
It’s important to have role models. But if you like to listen to some weird music that no one else on your team does – and that gets you rockin’ and rollin’ for a good workout – you have to be okay with being different.
I once heard a pro wrestler interviewed who said he listened to Beethoven and other classical music before a match. He said that’s what got him pumped up more than anything.
It doesn’t really matter what gets your blood boiling, as long as you get it boiling. Whether it’s heavy metal, rap, or Broadway show tunes – listen to YOUR music, not anyone else’s.
No one but you has to know what’s playing through your headphones. Your workout, and your music, are personal. They’re about you pushing your limits, and becoming who you want to be.
3. Meditation music
After you’ve exhausted your body, blown out your ears by blasting your favorite tunes, and it’s time to wind down with a good stretch – try putting on some meditation music.
Lay down on a mat, close your eyes, and just breathe. Visualize your success. Focus on your goals. Be proud of yourself for working hard and for working to fulfill your dreams.
When you have guitars blazing in your ears, and loud voices chanting rhymes, it’s hard to focus and connect to yourself.
But when you put on some calm instrumental music – like some classical piano, or some ambient meditation music (like the stuff they often have at massage parlors) – you can just breathe, focus, and relax.
Then, when you open your eyes, you’ll feel calm, confident, and ready to tackle whatever obstacles await.
Soon enough, you’ll eagerly look forward to your post-workout “meditation”. It’s just that good.
Have any of your own tips about working out and music? Questions? Thoughts? Scroll down and leave a comment!
Till next time!
Jim Wnek & The Core1 Crew
P.S. To try out our Downers Grove athlete, speed & strength training program, or our athletes only physical therapy & rehabilitation program, enter your info in the box below. We’ll hook you up with a session within 24 hours of receiving your info 😉
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