More often than not, when you lace up your sneakers and hit the gym or the pavement, you probably have some soundtrack providing the rhythm to your sweat session. It could be your favorite Spotify playlist, a carefully curated mix from your trainer, or even some energetic tunes you’ve thrown together yourself. Whatever it is, the truth is, music isn’t just there to fill the silence — it can transform your workout experience. Think of it as your invisible training partner that motivates you when you need that extra push or calms you down when anxiety creeps in.
According to Jessica Thomas, LMHC, a seasoned therapist and the founder of MyMindset NYC Counseling Services, music isn’t just for entertainment — it actually has a profound impact on our emotional and physical states during exercise. She explains, “From a scientific perspective, music can elicit several emotions, from motivation to calmness.” That catchy beat pulsing in your ears can do more than just keep you moving; it can train your brain to give more in the gym, help steady your heart rate, and inject a burst of energy when your body craves it most.
Recent research is uncovering layers to this connection between music and exercise, especially focusing on how the tracks you jam to **before** you start moving can actually prep your mind and body, fueling a more effective workout — almost on par with the music you play during your session. So, let’s dive deeper into how music can elevate your fitness game.
How Music Enhances Your Workout
Your mindset plays a crucial role in your workout success, and music is a powerful tool for influencing that mindset. Studies have shown that music, whether it’s your jam or not, can elevate performance by increasing muscle activation, improving speed, and sharpening your concentration, or even calming you down when the intensity rises.
“Music has many components, and each component is equally important,” says Akin Akman, a skilled group fitness coach and the co-founder of AARMY, a well-known fitness studio in New York City. He emphasizes that crafting an experience during group classes requires a keen understanding of rhythm, speed, and timing. The right music can shift your emotional state, making you more receptive to taking on new patterns and techniques during your workout.
Interestingly, the effects of music aren’t confined to just your training sessions. As Dr. Thomas Ferraro, a sports psychologist based in NYC, points out, the soothing melodies often played in medical offices serve to ease patient nerves. Similarly, the right pre-workout playlist can help you channel your focus, ensuring your workout turns into a productive and energized session.
The Importance of a Pre-Workout Playlist
Getting into the right headspace before you tackle your workout is as vital as the workout itself. Andy Stern, VP of global talent and programming at Rumble Boxing, emphasizes this by explaining that creating a strong mind-muscle connection is key to maximizing your performance. When your thoughts are scattered — thinking about that never-ending to-do list or what’s for dinner — it’s all too easy to lose your edge in the gym.
But don’t worry! Crafting a pre-workout playlist can be a transformative touchpoint, helping clear mental clutter and refocusing your thoughts. There’s evidence to back this up too. A small study on soccer players found that those who rocked their favorite tunes before practice found their focus dramatically improved, leading to better overall performances on the field.
As Jessica Thomas notes, music should never just be viewed as background noise. When selected carefully, it can be an intentional tool for mental preparation, tapping into the emotional circuits of your brain, allowing you to better handle any stress and maintain focus when it’s time to hit the gym.
Crafting Your Perfect Pre-Workout Playlist
So, how do you curate a playlist that will have you feeling your best before you break a sweat? It’s all about understanding the distinctions between your workout tunes and pre-workout tracks. While workout playlists tend to be adrenaline-pumping and fast-paced, your pre-workout playlist should focus on the calming and emotional aspects of music. These selections are designed to ease you into your workout and prepare your mind for the challenges ahead.
You can decide whether you want lyrics to accompany your warm-up or prefer an instrumental vibe, but Akin Akman recommends going for tracks that evoke emotions, like cinematic orchestral pieces. These types of songs have been shown to enhance concentration and prepare your mind for the workout without pulling your focus away from it.
The Ultimate Pre-Workout Playlist
To help you get started, Akin Akman has created a go-to pre-workout playlist that’s all about those sweeping crescendos and repetitive beats, keeping you mentally engaged without overwhelming your mind. Below are six tracks that could elevate your mindset and set the stage for a great workout:
1. [“Time” by Hans Zimmer](https://open.spotify.com/track/6ZFbXIJkuI1dVNWvzJzown?si=08bf6644b77046ca)
2. [“Seek Your Truth (A Vitória)” by MEDUZA, Ayrton Senna](https://open.spotify.com/track/4Naysy4HW10kgLxKsvmhMw?si=c27fb382e40a473d)
3. [“You” by BUNT., Oaks](https://open.spotify.com/track/3C2OYWQFRVEo4QoHZKTNBK?si=35289580832246f2)
4. [“Drums of Death” by FKA twigs, Koreless](https://open.spotify.com/track/1xefwf39r1PWiOKS40Z31n?si=b72322e4f3454642)
5. [“Falling (D’Opera)” by ROYA](https://open.spotify.com/track/3xh3vEtbV8AVFpWKqfK3b7?si=bdc54394784d40d6)
6. [“Risk It All (feat. Maverick Sabre)” by SHY FX](https://open.spotify.com/track/21zPoJIGxEwNUfMRsdFTJp?si=9d21db6c0f724762)
Next time you gear up for a workout, consider the power of music beyond simple enjoyment. A well-thought-out playlist can set the right emotional tone, elevate your focus, and help you smash those fitness goals with a newfound vigor.
