Workout hack 6 – great music

Dave Brubeck Quartet

The Greeks connected athletics and music in ancient times. Hermes not only played a mean lyre – he watched out for runners. The Olympics were packed with music. And armies were marching to drums well before then.

Music has the power to carry you away from your exertion. The rhythm almost moves your legs for you. Good songs let you forget you’re working out. And great music inspires you to push harder.

Worthy exercise songs are fast-paced, but not frantic. I’ve tried free PodRunner workout music, but it’s like life inside the Bruno soundtrack. Running music can be anything – jazz, rock, hiphop, Mozart.  It just has to be music first.

I can sympathize with purists who enjoy silent running. Yesterday, a flock of Canada Geese lifted off beside the running trail – wings beating louder than you can imagine. But music really is that good.  Try an iPod or iPhone for a week before you write off the idea.

Free advice: don’t bike with music – it interferes with road safety.

Related posts:

1. Workout hack 4 – dilute your efforts
2. Workout hack 3 – got a light?
3. Workout hack 5 – catch some rest
4. Workout hack 1 – get a good alarm clock
5. Workout hack 2 – pick a friend

Tagged as: iPhone, Motivation, Music, Workout hacks