BLOG: Music is the only motivation you need to workout

There’s nothing I love more than a good old-fashioned dance party. Every year it’s my goal to plan a party with all the people I love and dance into the early hours of the morning to our favourite songs, singing at the top of our lungs, dancing until our feet can’t move anymore. It’s the dopamine kick, the serotonin serenade that puts me in a good mood for weeks after! But what really makes the evening? The music, of course.

Getting back into exercise in midlife can be a struggle, but there’s no better motivator than good music.

The health benefits of music

In all the research I’ve done building theoptimal.me, the one thing we realised we had to focus on was the music. What would make you want to workout, what would motivate you to stick with an exercise? I kept coming back to the music. Then I learned that music actually has a massive impact on how our bodies respond to the exercise we’re doing.

The physiological impact of music is profound. Opioids, cortisol, endorphins and dopamine are some of the chemicals released when we listen to music. Studies have proven that it can even lower blood pressure, increase creativity – the list goes on. 

You can read more about the health benefits of music in the article my team posted here https://theoptimal.me/blog/heres-how-music-affects-your-body

The best music to workout to is the music you love

This should really be a no-brainer. I don’t know about anyone else but, when I used to go to the gym, if I left my earphones at home I’d have to dig deep to commit to the session – simply because the thought of having to get through a full hour without music was genuinely, genuinely a struggle.

Then I found Jannie’s integrated movement classes. I loved them. I looked forward to them without fail https://theoptimal.me/blog/making-midlife-magical-my-journey. A big part of it? The music. It carried me through the toughest part of the routine and helped me relax at the end. I felt better, re-invigorated and motivated. I wonder if I’d have felt as good, had it not been for the music… The answer is no.

Listening to music you love can actually help you get more out of the exercise you’re doing.

It all comes back to science. Research shows that the more we enjoy the exercise or movement we are doing, the more likely we are to reap the benefits. Music makes exercise easier, more enjoyable, and you’ll likely do more than you would have working out in silence. (So I was right – the dread of working out without music undermined whatever workout I was planning to do.)

Making music for TheOptimal.me

We compose all our music and I love it. I get to have solo dance parties, listening to all my favourite tracks to pull for inspiration. (It’s not an official portfolio, but I think it should be). So, all our music composed to make you feel good.

Here’s the long and short of it: Great music and a great workout are all you need to stay motivated on your journey to a fit and fabulous in midlife.

I’d love to hear what your favourite songs to dance to are, so let me know in the comments!

In the meantime, we have TheOptimal.me Spotify of all the songs that get our feet tapping and hands clapping. Click here for some joy and classic throwbacks! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/735SZY0py3e3pQZKE0dDFk?si=De3Y4eSyQ7e5QOZmlu4Qxg

Happy listening and happy moving!