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Working out has never been as motivating as it is today. With the rise of iPods, MP3 players and programs like iTunes allowing you to build and customize your own workout playlists, getting to the gym has never been so exciting. And with the 2012 Olympics in full swing, there's enough motivation on the TV screen to get people off the sofa and into their powerlifting gear.

Speaking of the Olympics, did you notice anything different about Michael Phelps? Before each event, you could see him enter the swimming arena with headphones on listening to music to get his blood pumping or to get his brain in the right mindset for competition. There are undoubtedly more reasons why he listens to music before performing, but one thing is certain; music affects the mind. Like Phelps, bodybuilders and powerlifters should use music as a tool to bolster their performance in the gym.

Music Improves Performance

What do we know about music influencing workouts?  Len Kravitz, a Ph.D and researcher at the University of New Mexico, explains that there are four ways music can improve exercise performance.

• Music reduces feelings of fatigue, helping the bodybuilder to lift for longer periods of time.
• Music invigorates the mind, helping lifters find the motivation to get to the gym every single day. 
• Music can produce a relaxation response to help you get through the uncomfortable phases of your workout.
• Music rhythm improves motor response and coordination.

These are just some of the ways music can boost your performance at the gym. There is one major stipulation in all of this. The music has to be carefully selected in order for it to produce the best results. Not every song has the same effects on your endurance and performance, which explains why the words "best workout playlist" and "best workout songs" are searched for thousands of time each day across the globe.

Generally speaking, the more upbeat, strong and rhythmic the song, the better the results. This is especially true for intese bodybuilding or powerlifting workouts and athletic training. The best way to guage what kind of the music you should listen to is by examining the overall tone of your exercise. For example, listening to classical piano music doesn't coincide very well with the "House Of Pain" attitude that you should be putting into every lifting exercise.

Choose Workout Music You Like

The great thing about modern technology is that it allows lifters to select music that they like to listen to. Noise cancelling headphones are becoming more and more common and affordable for that very reason. And the results of listening to preferred music are in your favor. A 2010 report in the "Perceptual and Motor Skills" journal revealed that individuals (bodybuilders/powerlifters) who listen to preferred music in the gym push to go further during high-intensity exercises. On the contrary, individuals who listened to nonpreferred music overestimated the amount of effort and work that was actually put in. 

If your gym experience is feeling dull or otherwise feel like you aren't getting the results you want, build yourself an energetic playlist and let music give you the energy boost you need to work out longer and maximize your performance