Music and Exercise Works

[W. Rabbit]

This was just published, and I think it backs up what most of us who exercise while fucking around with our iPods and Pandora intuitively know. Playlists were a big thing in my boxing and BJJ gyms for this reason.

The psychophysiological effects of different tempo music on endurance versus high-intensity performances
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles...020.00074/full

For example, I've used the Bullshido "What are you listening to" thread for longer than I can remember, to save my gym playlists.

And to think, Submessenger could accidentally destroy it all at any moment.

[W. Rabbit]

Did a little experiment tonight, trying music at different tempos while doing light cardio speed/incline variance training.

Noticed that, in accord with the study, higher tempo (120+ bpm) music like thrash or dance club tunes gave me noticeable boost at higher speeds (5+ mph). But even more noticeable was how listening to slow tempo, dirgey type music (old Type O Negative etc), had a different effect. Instead of feeling more energized, I felt a better sense of overall endurance and pace, possibly because the songs are very long (8+ minutes).

I wonder if knowing a particular tune is long and slow made me adjust my rhythm in order to make sure I could complete the song. I'm going to test this out by listening to some Buddhist doom metal (Yob) and cranking up the difficulty.

[W. Rabbit]

[Kovacs]

I haven’t listen to music when I train in years but I can imagine it does help as it pulls you out of a natural rhythm and could put you into a slightly faster one. I might try it when skipping.

[W. Rabbit]

Something else I noticed was that in my gym there are big screen TVs all over showing everything from sports to home improvement shows to Family Guy.

What connects all of them? Food commercials, constantly. You never realize how bombarded you are with food ads on one screen, but make it 6 screens and it least one is showing a pizza ad or Olive Garden etc.

This shit works because I am already getting into carb craving mode after about 20m and these commercials are torture. Making me hungry while exercising is the fastest route to McDonalds where I will try to save face by getting only a little fish sandwich, but still feel failure.

But the music helps me avoid these visual temptations entirely. By listening instead of watching the screens, I save myself a lot of brainwashing...and a noticeable lack of hunger. Almost as if my brain chemistry after rounds of music is enough to distract or deter me from basal needs like food.

[W. Rabbit]

Interesting development at the gym tonight. I was listening to Dung's post of Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand", while on the arm pedal machine.

The song ended halfway through my set and didn't go onto the next song. I immediately felt a sense of discouragement. I didn't want to stop to restart the song, but it definitely made it a little less enjoyable.

[Lily]

There is no music on the streets.

I can believe the study...which is why some days or weeks I train with no music at all, don’t want to become reliant on the doof doof to get that extra boost.

[W. Rabbit]

There is no music on the streets.

I can believe the study...which is why some days or weeks I train with no music at all, don’t want to become reliant on the doof doof to get that extra boost.

Never been to New Orleans? Some streets are more musical than others..