Do you listen to music at the gym? If so, why?

cerillo_encendido
cerillo_encendido Posts: 74 Member
edited July 2019 in Health and Weight Loss
Just a random thought i had. Ever since i started lifting i remember wanting to follow the trend of listening to music while working out. I figured: “everybody else does, so i guess i should to. It’s the cool thing to do.” It wasn’t long before i realized it wasn’t for me. I like to be aware of my surroundings and make sure i don’t make too much noise. I also want to make sure someone isn’t trying to get my attention for whatever reason (like to ask me if I’m using a certain bench or machine). I remember one guy who i met at the gym and became aquainted with would always wear headphones and one day after we worked out together i asked him what he was listening to. He said: “Nothing. I just wear them so i don’t have to talk to anybody.” That left me even more curious, thinking if there are more that do the same thing. So why do you listen to music at the gym? Is it purely habit? Does it actually motivate you? Is it to ignore people and avoid confrontations? All of the above? I’m not against listening to music at all i can understand why people do it. Like i said, just curious. All answers are appreciated.
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Replies

  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    I do not listen to music while weight lifting...mainly because I prefer focusing on cadence/timing of reps (eccentric/concentric). Fine to listen whilst doing cardio...mostly just stuff with melody (no lyrics) because I read while doing cardio too...need something to kill the boredom & monotony of cardio (watching tv just doesn't cut it...need something to distract my mind to make the time go by without feeling stresses of cardio)
  • Steff46
    Steff46 Posts: 516 Member
    If I'm doing cardio I like my upbeat music for motivation but for lifting I can take it or leave it... but definitely at a lower volume :)
  • Katttie89
    Katttie89 Posts: 119 Member
    I always listen to music while working out. I've found it helps me stay focused and it also gives that bit of an extra push 🙂
  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,353 Member
    I never listen to music when I lift. I'll listen to podcasts while I do cardio, but nothing while I lift. I need to focus on what I'm doing and music is too distracting. I also cannot stand not being completely aware of my surroundings, so anything that blocks my ability to know what's going on around me is far more stressful than hearing canned gym music.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited July 2019
    I work out at home and no usually I don't listen to music actually now that I think of it... I guess I'm just not a huge music person. I just listen to silence and my kids being annoying upstairs lol. I do like to listen to music when I run or take my dog for a walk though... It stresses me out having to create playlists and think of songs to put on there so I have the same damn playlist that I set up in April 2018
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    Not music, but podcasts. I swear, they are the only thing that keeps me going and it makes me actually enjoy working out. I get bored with my workouts if I don't have anything stimulating to listen to that distracts me from how much I hate exercising.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Not when lifting. I find it distracting and I lose count of reps and can't focus. I listen to audiobooks or watch Netflix when doing cardio though. It's the only thing that gets me through it.
  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,353 Member
    hesn92 wrote: »
    I work out at home and no usually I don't listen to music actually now that I think of it... I guess I'm just not a huge music person. I just listen to silence and my kids being annoying upstairs lol. I do like to listen to music when I run or take my dog for a walk though... It stresses me out having to create playlists and think of songs to put on there so I have the same damn playlist that I set up in April 2018

    You're doing better than me.....last time I created a playlist it was on my iPod and I haven't touched them since! :D
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Usually music during cardio and I'll listen to the TV when I lift.
  • Phirrgus
    Phirrgus Posts: 1,894 Member
    Yup. Love my music when lifting, podcast/netflix/youtube movies for cardio. I think it makes a difference being at home too, as I never listened to/watched anything when going to the gym years ago. much more comfortable setting.
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,374 Member
    I have music going with earbuds, just to drown out the lousy music at the gym. I also find that it helps me concentrate more on what I am doing and I don't get distracted by whatever is happening around me - most of the time, unless I am between sets, I'm not even aware of what song is playing while I am lifting - it's just a filter to kill the ambient noise and allow me to retreat into my own world where it's only me and the lift I am performing.
  • Cassandraw3
    Cassandraw3 Posts: 1,214 Member
    I do not like wearing headphones when lifting ( at least not anything with a cord). I prefer music simply because I like noise in the background. I love the sunday mornings when I am the only one in the gym and I get to have control of the radio. During cardio (particularly running), i definitely prefer music to get in the zone. Without music, I find myself thinking too much about how much I hate running while doing it.
  • vanityy99
    vanityy99 Posts: 2,583 Member
    I don’t listen to music as I’m lifting weights just because they tend to fall off my ears lol. When I do cardio, oh yeah I get in my zone and before i know it an hour is gone.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Yes.

    Our gym plays garbage music over their sound system.

    I need to cover the horrific pop music with something harder.

    At my last gym, I listened to my own music for this reason. New gym has tolerable music, so I don't have to.
  • lg013
    lg013 Posts: 215 Member
    hesn92 wrote: »
    I work out at home and no usually I don't listen to music actually now that I think of it... I guess I'm just not a huge music person. I just listen to silence and my kids being annoying upstairs lol. I do like to listen to music when I run or take my dog for a walk though... It stresses me out having to create playlists and think of songs to put on there so I have the same damn playlist that I set up in April 2018


    I have Spotify and a group of friends that share playlists to specific workouts...so that makes playlist making much easier. I spot pick from there too every time a list starts to get old.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Yes.

    Our gym plays garbage music over their sound system.

    I need to cover the horrific pop music with something harder.

    My exact reason for headphones. i seriously believe the crap thsy play at my gym drops T-levels 250 points.
  • deputy_randolph
    deputy_randolph Posts: 940 Member
    I always listen to music while lifting. It drowns out the horrible gym music. I need the heavy music to help me concentrate (sounds counter intuitive); the music suppresses my ability to overthink my lifts.

    My pl coach got to the point where she let me listen to music as long as I could still hear her (shouting), b/c the music helped me stay out of my head and focus on the mechanics of the lifts.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    To help the time pass, to drown out extraneous noise and to keep people from bothering me.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    I listen to music while lifting because I don’t enjoy lifting, and music helps make it more enjoyable. I see lifting as something I do because I know it’s good for me and I want the benefits, but I don’t like doing it.
  • wmweeza
    wmweeza Posts: 319 Member
    My gym is empty when I go, just a few regulars. There's no one to talk to, I'm guaranteed not to be in anyone's way, and if the fire alarm goes off I can easily still hear it. For these reasons (and I just like music) I use earbuds
  • MohsenSALAH
    MohsenSALAH Posts: 182 Member
    I don't listen to music there, I guess the noise that machines and barbells makes and people screaming here and there give u motivation than songs
  • PennyP312
    PennyP312 Posts: 161 Member
    I have to have my ear buds and music when I lift and do cardio.
    Too many social people for me at the gym so it’s a great way to avoid them.
    Plus I listen to music that I can’t listen too when I’m with my kids so it’s such a nice escape for me.
    But when my big lifts are heavy enough, the music totally fades away and is not a distraction at all.
    I would turn around and go home if I forgot myear buds, arm band, or phone once I got the the gym. It’s mandatory.
  • Adc7225
    Adc7225 Posts: 1,318 Member
    So many reasons :) 1) Yes, to try and drown out those that must have that long conversation on FaceTime about someone else's vacation. 2) My gym plays music that sounds like whales crying sometimes. 3) It does motivate me and depending on my mood it is usually Rap, Current or Old School, sometime R&B. I did't listen if I was using weight machines but now with AirPods I can, but I do turn it down low just in case for safety reasons.
  • klrenn
    klrenn Posts: 245 Member
    I listen to music while lifting generally because the gym plays music and I’d rather choose what I listen to. That being said, occasionally on a Sunday morning the gym will be silent - no music or TVs...and those are my happy days. I leave my headphones in my bag and just lift to the sound of the plates.

    Running I need music and I curate the songs based upon bpm.
  • mim619
    mim619 Posts: 33 Member
    I listen to music while I lift and during cardio. For cardio it's helpful in keeping me distracted from the monotony of the treadmill. Also I use it for pacing, I increase my pace at the end of each song till I reach my target. So I don't have to watch a clock and I can warm up my legs gradually.

    For lifting it actually helps me focus and feel less self conscious. I don't hear other people's conversations, the grunters or those awful chain sounds. (Someone will have to tell me if those chains really do something different than dumbbells)

    My husband listens to podcasts, when I found out he wasn't listening to music I thought he was an alien. But now after reading the responses I see that he is not alone :)
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    I workout at home, but when I'm not using a workout dvd I usually do have music on from playlists I take time to create.

    When lifting I lift to the beat which keeps me pushing and focused.

    For cardio my favorite music keeps me moving.

    I also do a lot of outdoor brisk walking. Most of the time I will have music on. Sometimes however it's nice to hear the birds chirping and get lost in my own thoughts while power walking on a beautiful scenic trail.

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