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Want a Better Body? Get Jiggy With It!

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November 4, 2009
	Jo Wehage : Head Operations Ego

While researchers debate whether it’s more of a physical or emotional reason, it’s clear that workout routines benefit from the addition of music. Both fit and unfit people tend to show greater endurance and better workout performance when they yell “Gimme a beat.”  Well, the yelling part may not have been part of the official research, but we’re still in favor.

According to an article in Natural Health magazine, a study of overweight to moderately obese women who listened to music while they walked 3x a week for 6 months walked farther, faster and burned more fat than those without music.

Participants who walked with tunes lost twice as much weight (16 lbs vs. 8 lbs) when compared to their sans-tunes counterparts. Many were also motivated to add an extra two to three days to their walking schedule.

My name is Earl and I Hate Exercise. Hi Earl.
Unfortunately, one issue for the exercised-challenged among us is that there’s no interest or fun in simple exercise options. For many, the first attempts at a regular exercise routine are those that are cheap and easy. Choices like walking or running are the obvious choice for beginners and let’s face it; Dullsville. Some eventually wonder if the “runner’s high” people talk about comes from people who are just…high.

Fortunately there are numerous reasons to take a serious look at inserting music into your efforts for better health.

Pump It Up
Just the addition of listening to your favorite music while you exercise helps bring an immediate surge of good vibes to the playing field. Scientists are quick to mention the change in heart rate and brain wave activity when you simply “hear” music that moves you. Take advantage of the blood flow. Find some tunage to get your motor runnin’ and head out on the highway.

Attitude Adjustment
Did you ever wonder why treadmills have so many fancy buttons and dials? It’s because the action of the machine itself is so damn boring. Simple actions like walking or light running on a treadmill can leave plenty of room for your mind to wander to the stressful topics in your life. Insert music here. Seriously, who can think about a plummeting stock portfolio when a little Ice, Ice Baby is in the air?

Keep the Beat
Music can offer the added benefits of keeping any routine you’re engaged in at a consistent, well balanced pace for longer intervals. When your mind has something besides the routine to focus on, you may find yourself extending the length, speed or reps of your particular activity. If you’re really savvy you can plan the order of the music to be pace-appropriate through warm up, exercise and cool down routines. Try Marvin Gaye’s, Let’s Get it On for your cool down. See what that one does for your muscles and your…mind. You think I’m kidding, don’t you?

Growing Mind and Muscle
Not in the mood for a musical interlude? No worries. Personally, there always seems to be that great novel or business series I want to get to “when I have time.” Blending this activity with some cardio on a treadmill has been an incredible way to kill two fat cells with one audio stone. By far the most time my hiney has spent on a treadmill was spent with a book-on-tape or MP3’s of business and health mentors. Did someone just call me a geek?

Livin’ La Vida Loca
If you find the influence of music to be a benefit to your routine then be sure you find your way to a Zumba class or video. Integrating the added boost of music to choreographed routines can be a great way to kick it up a notch. Zumba combines lively Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow moves that will incorporate slow moves, fast moves and resistance training. And you will look oh so sexy while doing it…or not. Do it with a friend and you’ll be sure to get some added ab work in while you laugh your arse off.

Who’s ready to let the music take you?