Published on May 8, 2024, 1:24 am
Board-certified music therapist and Brooks Rehabilitation Music Therapy Program Coordinator, Danielle Porter, MM, MT-BC, shares valuable insights on the importance of creating a well-curated playlist for general wellness and exercise. In her expert opinion, utilizing patient-preferred music in music therapy sessions not only engages and motivates individuals but also leads to increased brain activation compared to non-preferred music.
Porter highlights the significance of a song’s pace, or BPM (beats per minute), when designing a workout playlist. The rhythm of music influences our brains to synchronize movement with the beat through various neural pathways. This innate response is particularly powerful during rhythmic tasks like walking due to our brain’s ability to predict and follow musical rhythms.
When structuring a workout playlist, Porter recommends initiating with a gradual warm-up section featuring songs at slower BPM and progressively increasing the BPM with each track until reaching the target heart rate BPM. For the endurance phase of the workout, maintaining songs at this BPM level is essential. To conclude the session smoothly, incorporating songs with decreasing BPM into the cool-down section is advised.
To optimize workout performance and goal achievement, clients are encouraged to align their favorite tracks with their exercise routine duration. By seamlessly transitioning between songs and ensuring a consistent BPM progression aligned with fitness objectives, individuals can experience an enhanced workout experience underlined by musical stimulation tailored to personal preferences.
In summary, creating a personalized playlist following Porter’s expert tips can significantly elevate one’s exercise regimen by harnessing the power of music to enhance motivation, engagement, and overall performance during physical activities at MedSpa facilities or your home workout setup.