Do you ever wonder why music is such a big part of the exercise world?
No, okay well I do. Olga and I wonder about stuff like that all the time.
So there I was reading health news when… This just in…
A study in Nature Neuroscience done by the Neuro lab at McGill University proved that exciting music (as defined by the listener) releases the pleasure chemical, Dopamine.
Study subjects demonstrated a 9-21 percent spike in dopamine while listening to music that consistently “gave them chills.” For context, psychoactive drugs like cocaine cause a 22 percent spike while the pleasure of good food causes a 6 percent spike. The pleasure of sex is somewhere in between, though not yet definitively measured, for obvious reasons (ha!).
So, once again science proves what our belly-button knew all along: music plays an important role in and is deeply connected to the human condition. Even though it has no apparent use in pure physical survival, societies cannot thrive without it. Dopamine explains everything. Music is officially as exciting and potentially addictive as other intense pleasures.
As a has-been college athlete, I will never forget the feeling of swaggering onto the field in Buckeye Stadium (mid-80’s mullet and all), to the pounding beat and base of Madonna over the crazy-huge sound system. All the while I was thinking, “Ha-haaa! Little do they know this our psyche-up music too!” I was sure our Michigan Wolverine field hockey team would kick booty as a result.
Funny, I only remember this scene and not the final score that day… Must have blocked it out! But I was truly happy in that moment, totally high on believing, thanks to, gasp, the queen of “Vogue-ing.”
ANYHOOOOO… A better story maybe is that of Rocky’s big comeback song “Eye Of The Tiger,” right? He’s on the beach, sprinting, ripped, tan… Absolute inspiration incarnate. How many people used that song to psyche up for a task after the movie came out? Or “Maniac” from Flashdance. Or “Footloose” from, ah, Footloose… Okay, so I’m a Gen X’er. What’s the problem?
The point is, memories come with music because music oozes enthusiasm, which we crave, deeply. You can’t help but tap your feet and bounce, even just a little. Exercise can be intimidating and uncomfortable for so many of us at times. What better way to re-frame that discomfort by throwing in some powerful enthusiasm, some passion, some fervor!
A great song may be all it takes to turn dread into joyful anticipation. For help to get you started we looked up “Workout Playlists” on Google and, holy cow, did we find a plethora of options. Many come from women’s magazines. If that disappoints you, remember, they’re just a starting point (a tutorial, if you will).
Here are just a few:
- Women’s Health Magazine
- Shape **When you click on the playlist, click away from the “drag this to share” button that pops up so you load the page you want, rather than a share option (unless you actually want to share, then ignore me).
- Marie Claire
- Redbook
Two caveats about these links: 1) Try not to look at all the air-brushed-beautitul, skinny people and get discouraged. Instead, fire up about reaching your peak fitness through music and march on past all that. 2) These are just playlists, not the actual songs. You’ll need to go to iTunes or Amazon or the like to purchase any you don’t already own; and, of course, there’s no obligation. The nice thing about iTunes or Amazon is that you can get a taste of the songs to see if you think you’ll be inspired before you buy. Also, in both cases, the artists get paid for their product.
Best of luck to you in your musical endeavors! And please share your favorite psyche-up music with us! See you on the PATH Ahead!
NOTE: We are not endorsing any music, music website, magazine, or fitness product here. We’re just pointing you in the direction of some interesting ideas. We fully endorse paying a fair price for all licensed music. After all, it’s important to feed your source of inspiration, no?
PS. Olga and Winnie listen to a mix of songs from Glee, the hit TV series about show choir.