Listening to MP3s while working out... or NOT?

[Radek Pilich]

I was thinking about the effectiveness of fitness workouts while using or not using your audio player. Moreover I was thinking if the material you listen - music, spoken word, brainwaves... makes a difference.
I am interested in your approach. Actually I am used to listen some kind of spoken word during my workouts, but I am considering trying a different approach - focus my mind on working out and use some kind of affirmations to accelerate my physical development. I haven't done any research yet, that's the reason why I am starting this topic. I believe there are folks out there that have something to say about this issues. I am eager to listen what your experience is.

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by subdrum47

I was thinking about the effectiveness of fitness workouts while using or not using your audio player. Moreover I was thinking if the material you listen - music, spoken word, brainwaves... makes a difference.
I am interested in your approach. Actually I am used to listen some kind of spoken word during my workouts, but I am considering trying a different approach - focus my mind on working out and use some kind of affirmations to accelerate my physical development. I haven't done any research yet, that's the reason why I am starting this topic. I believe there are folks out there that have something to say about this issues. I am eager to listen what your experience is.

I listen to spoken words--usually books--while doing cardio and music while doing weights...

[WanderingOak]

I would say it depends on where I am working out. If I am in the gym riding an exercycle or stairclimber, I do like to listen to music. However, music would be a distraction while lifting weights, for example. I might lose track of how many reps I am doing, for example. Besides, if I am lifting weights, I should really be 'all there' and not be multitasking.

If I am running outdoors, I don't like listening to music. First of all, I think the whole 'headphone culture' of tuning out the rest of the world while in public is a bit rude, so I try to avoid that whenever possible. Besides, if I am running outdoors, especially in a park or other natural setting, I prefer the natural ambient noise of birds, wind in the trees etc. over music. After all, if I am going to listen to music, what is the whole point of running outdoors to begin with? As for 'street running', headphones would be a bit dangerous, as I wouldn't be able to hear an approaching car.

[Radek Pilich]

Well I don't want to talk about cardio exercises too much, in this case is listening to spoken word quite ok for me and overall its a good helper to keep you on track and not get bored so quickly. I can run in an effective way while listening to spoken word and I am quite relaxed... on the other hand while not listening something I tend to be rather to quick and impulsive, trying to exhaust myself to the limit. I quite practiced that last year, while I haven't got a music player and I quite liked it, but I am not doing that anymore now.

OK than, as I see from first responses there are guys who prefere not to be distracted by anything while lifting weights. So tell me, what's going on in your mind at that time? How to condition myself to accelerate growth of muscles? How to focus on muscles? Do you count from bottom up or are you decreasing the numbers of repetitions needed in your head? Tell me, I am really interested into it. Btw. unfortunatelly I make my workouts alone, I don't have any workout partner yet.

[llong]

I never listen to anything when I work out, except when I'm shooting for a personal best during that specific workout.

Instead, I focus on the timing of the reps (depending on the type of routine you are doing), and maintaining impeccable form.

And, of course, my breathing.

[Radek Pilich]

OK, now I am quite sure now that listening to the spoken word is responsible for my poor fitness results this year. But before returning to workout without headphones I am going to give a try to brainwaves I will post my experience here later, today is my first day of this experiment.

[groove88]

I think this soley depends on what type of music you are listening to as to whether it causes distraction or not. Im really into my electronica music but namely house music. Not the rave genre but something with a funky groove. Depending on what excercise im doing, lets say jogging ill usually use a more harder edged form of house that makes me feel like i need to get down and work this jog out. At the time listening to it i totally feel elevated, liberated and free to do what i want. A runners high and i can really really push myself.

I do wonder if theres a psycology behind the beat. I enter a state and the beats run at around 125 bpm.

If your interested in checking out a mix i have some on my podcast at Jackin House Music.
Ill upload one tonight thats a bit more tailored for excercise lol

[CeciL]

In my personal experience listening to something hard and fast paced (fast techno or metal) produces a much more intense work out without having to push yourself as hard because you fall into the rhythm and emotion of the music.

I've tried audio books and it just doesn't cut it... Too much energy is used in thought and comprehension resulting in less than optimal workout. I can see if it is an easy cardio walk just to pass the time quicker, but definitely not the ticket for intensity.

Never tried brainwave stimulation, curious how that works out...

[bylto]

I listen to music when weight-lifting and doing my cardio. I have listened to audio programs before but I didn't feel the same motivation as when the music is pumping. I find that energetic music encourages an energetic workout. I feel enthused and excited about beating my last performance when I workout this way.

[CeciL]

Originally Posted by subdrum47

So tell me, what's going on in your mind at that time? How to condition myself to accelerate growth of muscles? How to focus on muscles? Do you count from bottom up or are you decreasing the numbers of repetitions needed in your head?

Other than keeping track of the reps (bottom up) and making sure of good form, something like... raaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh! *breathe*
If your thinking too much while lifting you probably need to add more weight.

Just don't end with the heaviest set. After your heavy set lighten it up a bit and work out the remaining bit of oomf left. With good eating growth is bound to follow.

[Wanderer]

I listen to music when I run as it takes my mind off running and I seem to be able to run faster. Generally nay music I find uplifting and powerful.

I guess its individual for everyone.

[placebo]

There are days when you don't feel energized enough to work out. And if you decide to put some agresive music like hard rock or metal, trance, anything that will speed up you, you'll feel that working out is much easier. But you should try for yourself. If you can't concentrate on breathing then don't listen, cause breathing is very important.

the only thing i didn't like while working out was listening to audio books, it was too distracting.

[Radek Pilich]

First workout done! So far so good

I came to the gym in a quite unpleasant mood with pain in my neck (I didn't wake up on time but stayed in bed in the morning because the heating was off and the house was very cold ...and than I felt bad about that during a day about that). I turned on my player, engaged repeat mode and started to listen Energy Explosion file ( Freeware CDS and sound files to empower you beyond the limits! ).... I though I will change it to something different soon but I stayed witch it for the rest of the training. And it worked! I felt energy flowing through my body (feeling I call "white burning") and soon my body was relaxed and the pain from my neck disappeared

Also a lot of "feeling memories" came on my mind reminding me workouts from last year, when I haven't been using mp3s. And I realized my current trainings were really weak. Firstly because I wasn't so much interested in fitness anymore (no more web, magazine and forums reading, no videos and photo watching) and secondly because my mind was occupied with listening to the spoken word from my player and therfore my body was just displacing weight. No real focus on technique, no real progressive training... just displacing weights.

Anyway I am very happy I realized this and I am looking forward to my future trainings both with or without brainwaves or music. But from now on, listening to audiobooks and spoken word during my trainings is big no no .

[starlet]

I listen to music, my own collection of CDs I burned myself with only fun and happy music (think Beach Boys, Pointer Sisters, etc). When I am listening to music I distract myself from my mind telling me I "can't" do something. PLus it keeps me in good spirits which keeps my energy up.

[Alex]

I also think it depends on where you're working out, and what kind of mood you're in. If you got something heavy on your mind, I would say cardio with no music. It'll give your brain a chance to sort things out. Than again, you may need a little bit of motivation, some some fast paced energetic music will get you through the run. I wrote a bit about this in my post Too Busy To Exercise, and how I visualize during my runs.