We all know that working out is good for you. However, there always manages to be some excuse as to why we don’t go to the gym:
- “I’ll go tomorrow” (never gets around to it)
- “I need to do homework” (watches Netflix instead)
- “If the gym was more convenient, I would go more often” (too lazy to get out of bed)
However, we need to stop with the excuses. While this seems easier said than done, I know something that will make your workout more bearable: music.
If you take time to look around the gym, you will notice that the only people that don’t have headphones in their ears are people who came to work out together. Not only that, but there’s always some upbeat song playing over the speakers. We all use music to get keep us pumped and focused when we’re running on the treadmill or lifting weights.
There are certain classes that are offered at both Southwest and the Student Rec Center that have the entire workout centered around music. Zumba, for one, is a fast-paced workout that has many different types of dances incorporated into one hour set to different songs. Cycling, kickboxing and even yoga are also set to music.
However, you don’t have to be in a class to utilize music to help you stay motivated. There are some workout plans that are set specifically to certain songs. For example, say you’re supposed to sprint for 30 seconds to the opening of ‘OMG’ by Usher, then walk for 20 seconds and repeat. Or doing a series of push-ups, sit-ups and squats to Katy Perry’s “Roar”.
Something that I do that helps motivate me is going to the workout music station on Pandora and setting the tone of my workout to whatever song plays. Since the song always changes, it keeps my workout more interesting and random so I’m not stuck doing the same thing over and over again.
There are so many ways that music can help you workout. So what ever style of music that you prefer, whether it’s hip-hop, country or the top 40, use it to get you moving and stay motivated.
