NEWS
PhotographyShutterstockPOWER
YOUR
WORKOUT
WITH THE
PERFECT
PL AY LIST
Libratone has collaborated
with Costas Karageorghis, a
professor in sport and exercise
psychology at Brunel University,
and personal trainer Zanna
van Dijk, to explore how a
motivational playlist can be
used to enhance physical
performance.
Professor Karageorghis,
author of Applying Music in
Exercise and Sport, has devoted
his career to researching the
effects of music in sport and
exercise, and how a carefully
curated playlist can positively
affect performance. Here’s what
he’s found...The music should have
an appropriate beat, with a
pulse strong enough to tap
your feet to. This will help you
synchronise and get ‘into’ the
music easier.
Avoid music with long
rhythmic lulls, unless planning
to use the lulls to punctuate
recovery during your exercise
routine (i.e. use the lulls
for respite).
Bear in mind that the
harder the workout, the faster
and more intense your music
programme should be (125–
140 bpm for a high-intensity
workout). The highest tempo
should be used at the point
in your workout when you are
exercising most intensely.
Avoid music with an offbeat
rhythm if you are trying to
coordinate your movements. For
example, Latin music like salsa
or very complex electronic
dance music won’t make those
burpees any easier.
If core strength isa key part of your workout
routine, consider music with
appropriate affi rmations in
the lyrics when you are doing
core exercises.
To increase workout intensity
over time, you can slowly ramp
up music tempo and intensity.
Do the opposite towards the
end of your workout when
you’re heading towards the
cooldown phase.
Consider changing your
playlist when you feel it ceases
to have a motivating effect
and when you feel it no longer
matches your exercise routine
or physical performance levels.
Early on, include tracks that
embody who you are and make
you feel strong and empowered.
This is particularly important if
you struggle to get motivated
to exercise.
Try to fi nd music with which
you have a strong personalGood for
the Soul
Listening to music
while exercising
can help fi ght
fatigue, but a
study by Brunel
University found
one song in
particular, Marvin
Gaye’s 11-minute
classic ‘I Heard
It Through The
Grapevine’, reduced
participants
perceived eff ort
and made their
workouts feel
shorter.association. This can help
elevate your mood and, by
extension, the quality of
your workout.
If you know you don’t like
a particular part of a workout,
put on the most positive, upbeat
tune on your playlist and allow
it to carry you through.
Try for the most part to
select music with major
(happy) harmonies music
vs. minor (sad) harmonies to
promote a positive mindset
during your workout.