The pros and cons of playing music while running

Playing your favorite sound track while jogging (or even in races) is perhaps one of the paradigm shifts in the running community. As mobile devices which are able to play music becomes lighter (i.e. iPod, smartphones, headphones with music players, etc.) this trend will linger for a longer time. There is still an ongoing debate whether playing music while running is good or bad.

A purist runner may prefer running without a music playing device, but the newer generation of runners will likely prefer jogging with earphones on. Having experienced running with and without music here is our take:

Pros of playing music in the background

Listening to your top pick songs or sound tracks is one of the great ways on how you can enjoy running. Doing both at the same time is a good way to setup your mood, especially during morning runs where you just want to be energized throughout the day. A survey from Runner’s World showed that 75-percent (or 3 out of every 4) of the 3,523 runner respondents voted for “running with music.”

Alleviating effort needed

Several studies, much like the one conducted by sports psychologist Andy Lane of the University of Wolverhampton, showed that motivating music can help improve the performance of a workout. A faster-paced music also helps you to put of a greater degree of effort, especially if you are catching up with the song’s tempo.

Personally, I can attest to these facts. Music does mask away the effort needed in endurance activities like running long distances. It is also helpful on those Long Slow Distance (LSD) runs where sometimes music is your only companion. However, I also do find running companions to be a good, if not a better, alternative.

Creating your own playlist

However, it is important to note that to gain the benefits of enhanced running performance you need to look at your own playlist. Runner’s World also did a survey on what soundtrack most runners listen to and here are their top faves:

1st- Lost Yourself by Eminem

2nd- Thunderstruck by AC/DC

3rd- Eye of the Tiger by the Survivor

(Photo Credits: Phillymag.com)

Now that’s some upbeat music to keep you moving. Personally, if I want to run at a faster pace I usually listen to any of those so called “epic” sound tracks such as the ones being played on comic hero movies like Batman: The Dark Knight Rises and The 300. That also means, songs from Two Steps from Hell (nope their not a Death Metal band, but a chorale) or Hans Zimmer. And if you are a sports junkie, any song from the Rocky training montage will also do.

Any song or genre will do for your running playlist so long as it fits your purpose. Just make sure that your volume is not too loud that you are too concentrated on the song and not on your surroundings.

Cons of playing music

Ask your any middle-aged runner and they will tell you that on their hay-day during the ‘90s running boom, they were not running with their bulky Walkman (the equivalent of an iPod today) strapped on their belt. And even if we have arm bands today, running with music also has its cons.

Lowers your attention

Because you are concentrated on the song currently playing in your ears, you may be neglecting some important details in your run. If you are less attentive you may accidentally bump to another person or got hit by a car as you cross the street or intersection. The point is music can be a good motivator, but it can also be a great distraction.

When you run with music, you tend to be unaware of how your feet hit the ground, whether you are breathing properly and if you are in the right form. Sometimes the cable also gets in the way of your arm carriage depending on how you placed it in your pocket and even if you have arm bands. If the cord is too long it can even get tangled along with your arms when you over swings.

Races where you don’t need music

Running with your headphones on is not prescribed in all races. One particular instance was during the Men’s Health Urbanathlon, or any races with short courses. It is also inadvisable if the weather is posed to bring rains. In this race, you have to do other activities such as swinging in a monkey bar, crawling under a net and even sliding a small hill. Definitely, a no-no for your smartphones as they risk being broken or can become a burden on your performance.

(Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Conclusion

So, do I have to run with or without music? Our answer to that is- its up to you. However, we recommend that you weigh in your action not only based on whether it can make you happier, but also based on safety. If you know that you are going to run in a road or course with lots of distractions- then it leans on no music. But, if it is on an empty lot on your subdivision or any open space then feel free to run to your beat.