They’re Playing My Song. Time to Work Out.
By Steven Kurutz

The playlist fixation has a scientific basis: Studies have shown that listening to music during exercise can improve results, both in terms of being a motivator (people exercise longer and more vigorously to music) and as a distraction from negatives like fatigue. But are certain songs more effective than others?

One of the most important elements, Dr. Karageorghis found, is a song’s tempo, which should be between 120 and 140 beats-per-minute, or B.P.M. That pace coincides with the range of most commercial dance music, and many rock songs are near that range, which leads people to develop “an aesthetic appreciation for that tempo,” he said. It also roughly corresponds to the average person’s heart rate during a routine workout -- say, 20 minutes on an elliptical trainer by a person who is more casual exerciser than fitness warrior.

For a stroll walker going at a pace of around 3 miles an hour, a remixed track has a count of 115 to 118 B.P.M.; for a power walker going 4.5 m.p.h., the count is 137 to 139 B.P.M., while the B.P.M. for a runner elevates to 147 to 160.

full story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/fashion/10fitnes s.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin


on itunes try:

Shape / Power Music Workout
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/ viewArtist?id=265572424

iSweat Fitness Music
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/ viewArtist?id=264712928

I FINALLY got an mp3 player for christmas this year and let me tell you, being able to listen to upbeat songs I enjoy instead of watching the television they have at my gym really made a difference! My workouts are still tuff for me, but they seem to go by so much faster than before now that I can listen to music that inspires me and gets me pumped up. Before I was hating going to the gym and would even miss weeks at a time but now, even though I don't always feel like going at least I know I will be able to listen to something good and I don't mind going as much now as I did before.

I love playing slow songs when I work out. Slow music frustrates me and makes me work harder.

Odd, I know.