Comments on: Muscle Mind Hack #2 – Use Music For More Muscle & Strength!

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:53:35 +0000

I like listening to my mixes. They last about an hour and I find really keep my energy up! I put them on my website so if you want to download them for your iPods then feel free!

https://soundcloud.com/jinja-ninja

Maybe even comment and say hi!

🙂

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:50:29 +0000

Agressive music by itself won’t make you lift more, but it definitely helps you when you’re getting pumped right before a set and trying to get furious at everything that ever existed 🙂

By: jason

jason — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:41:25 +0000

you know you get those days where you are in your gym gear, youve had your shake but man oh man, you just dont even have the energy and the desire to train today, so what ive found that is if i sit for a few minutes before i hit the gym and pump some really good tunes it actually changes my mind set and gets me sooo in the mood. music during gym is a must even some mozart for your muscles on the cool down faze.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:56:29 +0000

@Nguyen. It’s like Michelle says above; who you listen to is your call. The research and personal experience would indicate that music with a fast beat (up-tempo) works best.
@Strengthpoint. I don’t lift as well without music. As you say, my cardio is MUCH improved with music, in fact, cardio without music is just horrible IMO. We each have to do what works best for us.
@Nick. Me too. An aggressive state of mind works best for me when lifting. Therefore music that puts me in that state is what I want.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:10:16 +0000

I agree Pantera rocks – makes for some great workout music! I’m not sure why, but I seem to have an easier time focusing on my workouts when I have some music blasting.

By: Strengthpoint

Strengthpoint — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:08:22 +0000

My opinion is that music can help to push you during cardio workouts like running etc as mentioned in the research. It is a great mental motivator and provides rhythm you can get in sync with and distracts you from your fatigue so you go further.

I can not use ear bud music when weight training though. I find i need to be clear, focused and free of distracting thoughts when lifting. Too loud music can distract the mind. Great for Cardio, not so good when you need to focus on your lifts. At the business end of lifting it is just you and the steel. Take a breath, prepare for the set, commit to your rep goal, bang it out.

Ambient music in the gym is OK for me. Ear buds not so good.

By: Nguyen

Nguyen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:57:12 +0000

So what kind of music and which bands do you recommend Mark? I always have a hard time with picking music in general, not to mention workout music.

Thanks,

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:19:02 +0000

Personally, I like Mighty Mighty Bosstones AND Pantera 😉

By: Marochka_raduga

Marochka_raduga — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:03:08 +0000

Oops, I meant to say there’s no reason they COULDN’T go for the 1812 Overture!

By: Marochka_raduga

Marochka_raduga — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:01:07 +0000

Crank it up, but not too loud, especially with the “ear bud” type of headphones. I’ve had a ringing in 1 ear for a few months now and they can’t find any reason for it. The only possible reason I can think of is the loud music.

And hard/agressive is such a subjective term. I like Rush, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Blue Oyster Cult, but my husband needs Metallica/Pantera and I don’t care much for it. There’s no reason in the world somebody else might go for Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. I don’t think you can analyze it down to time signature, tempo, instrument timbre or anything as hard and fast as that. Just whatever strikes you personally and gears you up for your best effort, seems like that should be what you go for. Even if its 80’s teeny-bopper pop. Though for my sake and your own safety’s, you better hope you brought headphones. 😛