How does listening to music affect exercise?

How does listening to music affect exercise?

It’s been said that music is a universal language but, more recently, it’s also been said through psychophysiological studies that music could be your best friend during an intense workout. We understand that budgets are much tougher and tighter than before, so how can you enjoy the benefits of music while exercising on a budget? Mobile Store shares the benefits of listening to music while breaking a sweat as well as top cell phone specials to get you running on beat in 2022.


Four ways listening to music improves your workout


Music helps you keep a specific pace


Yes, this is a real thing. The beat of a song can help you maintain a certain pace through a process called “rhythm response”, according to Scientific American. The ideal pace for music that will push you just that little bit harder is between 120 – 140 beats per minute, which most contemporary rock and pop songs are. 


Music helps you push through fatigue


The same study asserts that music distracts you from pain and tiredness and actually improves endurance and your perceived effort. Brunel University School of Sport and Education in London wrote an article that agreed with this and added that upbeat music could “increase your performance by 15%”. 


You’ll feel happier, literally


Listening to your favourite music increases dopamine — the happy hormone — that’s released by your thyroid gland. Serotonin is also boosted by doing physical exercise so the two combined is a glorious combination for feeling happy, motivated and uplifted. 


Your immune system’s health may improve


Because listening to music reduces stress and anxiety, the overall health of your immune system will be better. Feelings of intense stress and anxiety can severely affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds, overwhelming fatigue, infections and more.


Three music streaming apps for daily listening


Apple Music


Apple has been in the music streaming business since 2001 when iTunes was launched. Then, in 2015, iTunes was dissolved and replaced with Apple Music which had a stronger focus on mobile use (instead of playing music on your MacBook). 


Apple Music has over 70 million songs ranging from local talent to artists in the US, UK, across Africa and many more. You can also download music and play it offline – perfect for saving data!

The best part? Newcomers to Apple Music get their first 3 months free! Thereafter, it will cost South Africans R59.99 per month — and you can cancel your subscription at any time with no cancellation fees. 


Spotify


For Android users, Spotify is the most popular music streaming app with over 172 million paying subscribers worldwide. Spotify is well known for their algorithms that determine the kind of music or artists you’d like based on what you’ve listened to or which songs you’ve downloaded. 

Spotify is one of the only streaming services that is totally free, however, you’ll have to deal with some ads. Spotify Premium, which has no ads, will cost you R59.99 per month and you’ll get the first month for free.


YouTube Music


Since Google bought YouTube, it has become their main music streaming service. YouTube has always had the reputation of owning the video sharing market as well as the top platform to publish music videos for newcomers and famous artists alike. 


Now, you can stream music using the YouTube Music app, available for iPhone and Android users.

YouTube Music is free with ads or R71.99 per month with no ads. You’ll get a one-month free trial to see if you like using it too.


Enjoy your music on-the-go with a new smartphone


If you’re looking for the easiest way to get your groove on while exercising — look no further than your mobile devices. And, while most popular streaming services offer ways to listen offline with their downloading services — you’ll never be without a beat on these data filled deals. 


  • Apple iPhone 13 (MTN) - From R919 for 2 GB of data and 50 mins per month.
  • Samsung S20 FE (Vodacom) - From R929 for 3 GB of data and 600 mins, additional theft cover; 20 GB of once-off data and top-ups available.
  • Huawei P Smart 2021 (Vodacom) - From R339 for R230 airtime and 3 GB of data per month for the first 3 months.
  • Apple iPhone SE 2020 (Telkom) - From R405 for 1.5GB of data; 525 mins and 100 SMSs per month with additional 20GB of data per month for the first 3 months.


Get grooving with cell phone specials from Mobile Store


There’s nothing more motivating than starting your day by listening to your favourite songs during a good workout or a relaxing meditation session. From rock to pop to 80’s classics, which genre is your favourite?


From our latest cell phone specials, order your new smartphone from Mobile Store!