According to multiple studies compiled into “The Influence of Music Preference on Exercise Responses and Performance: A Review,” published in 2021 by Christopher Ballmann, who has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology, music has been proven to benefit athletes during endurance, sprint, and resistance-based activities. Music distracts the athlete, making them have a distorted perception of their level of fatigue and even motivating them to enjoy the exercise more, ultimately improving the quality of the workout. But is music always helpful during workouts? How do people react to it on a caseby-case basis?

At PHS, many students participate in athletic activities, from school sports to personal exercise. PHS track athlete Bhavya Yaddanapudi ’25 often does cardio and lifting, and testifies to the effectiveness of music during her workouts.

“I listen to music because it distracts me from the pain of working out, and it boosts my mood,” said Yaddanapudi. “If you’re not listening to anything, you really focus on how you feel while working out and what muscles are being activated.”

Research conducted by Matthew S. Biagini of California State University suggests that increased activity in the brain while listening to music is associated with better performance while exercising. On top of that, a 2022 study led by Chenyang Li of Liaoning Normal University’s Physical Education Institute shows that syncing movements with songs may save energy and even make them more efficient. Yaddanapudi notes that listening to slow-tempo songs seems to have a negative effect on her workouts, making exercise feel even more tiring for her.

“In the weight room, sometimes, there’s slower songs or ballads, and those are somewhat miserable to work out to,” said Yaddanapudi.

According to Healthline, instrumental music is particularly good for studying, as it offers a minimallydistracting background sound. For working out, though, instrumentals can be too faded to provide the ideal balance of focus and distraction. Debdeep Sen ’26 recalls his experience of listening to slow instrumental music while working out.

“I tried listening to lofi, and it did not work out. It made me more tired,” said Sen.

These differences in perceived exhaustion may arise from personal preferences in music, but also from the effect music has on mood. Psychology Today proposes that music can validate emotions someone is feeling and also inspire new ones. Music’s ability to change a person’s mood can be beneficial during workouts, allowing people to harness more energy and inspire themselves to work harder, but it can also disrupt someone’s rhythm. Sen admits having experienced a similar disruption in his workout pace.

“I listened to metal sometimes ... it made me angry, which was distracting from the workout, but it didn’t make me work harder,” said Sen.

When listening to the right music, though, an athlete can truly surpass their limits. Sen sees a change in how his body reacts when working out while playing music.

“After a set, I’ll feel even more tired than if I didn’t listen to music,” said Sen.

According to the National Center for Health Research, music has the ability to set the tempo of a workout session. Faster-paced songs can set a strong rhythm, especially when doing repetitive exercises. When an athlete is able to access this focus, they are able to surpass themselves, working harder than they would normally and building muscle effectively.

Whether it’s to maximize gains or enjoy exercise more, music has a potent effect on a person’s experience while training. Music’s effect on workouts depends on its tempo, the mood it inspires, and an athlete’s personal preference. Ultimately, the right playlist can make or break a workout.