The Sapien Scoop: Do you listen to music when working out? If so, read this...
The other day, I was on the assault bike, grinding through 20/10 interval splits, and blasting a bit of Pavarotti. It felt a little unusual, so I posted a reel on Instagram and asked, "Am I the only one who listens to opera while working out?”
That reel got me thinking about how music can help (or hurt) your workouts.
Music and Cardio: A Perfect Match
Music is great for cardio. Whether you’re running, cycling, or doing intervals, a good playlist can help keep you going. Fast-paced songs give you energy and help distract you from the discomfort of a hard session.
Studies even show that music can improve endurance and make exercise feel easier.
Why Music Should be Avoided for Weight Training
When it comes to lifting weights, though, music is a distraction. Strength training requires complete focus. You need to concentrate on your form, control the weight, and engage the right muscles. If music is blasting in your ears, it becomes much harder to do that.
I know some people argue that music helps them stay motivated, but I can’t understand how you can truly focus on technique while being distracted by lyrics, beats, or tempo changes. Maybe a highly experienced lifter can tune it out, but for beginners and the majority of people, music is only making their training worse.
The Importance of the Mind-Muscle Connection
The mind-muscle connection is one of the most important aspects of strength training. To build muscle effectively, you need to focus on feeling the muscle working during each rep. Without this, it’s easy to use momentum or let secondary muscles take over, reducing the effectiveness of the exercise.
When you’re lifting, you should be fully aware of your posture, the tempo of your reps, and the tension in the target muscles. Music, especially loud or fast-paced tracks, pulls your attention away from all of this. You end up following the rhythm of the song rather than the controlled movement of your lifts.
Try Training Without Headphones
For serious strength training, I recommend ditching the headphones. Try lifting in silence or with light background music in the gym. You’ll be surprised at how much more connected you feel to your movements and how much better your lifts become.
I know this might not be everyone’s opinion, but if you’re serious about making progress, at least try it. Use music for cardio, where it helps, but when it’s time to lift, focus on the work.
Next time you’re in the gym, try it out. You might discover that a little less music leads to a lot more focus—and better results.