While German philosopher Friedrick Nietzsche probably wasn't thinking of boxing when he wrote, "Without music, life would be an error," playing music during a boxing workout can help you concentrate, celebrate and invigorate. Fine-tune your boxing workout music collection to help you push through the wall.
Significance
In the fall of 2008, Costas Karageorghis, an associate professor of sports psychology at Brunel University in Oxford, England, conducted a study on workout music. Karageorghis found that music with 120 to 140 beats per minute increased endurance by an average of 15 percent. Study participants also noted that this type of music also reduced their perception of hard work. Marie Claire also notes that music as high as 150 beats per minute was perfect for a boxing workout.
Features
The best music for a boxing workout features this 140-150 beats per minute. The rhythmic 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 pattern of a boxing combination matches the best with these beat per minute ranges. The music should be familiar to you as well as pump you up, notes Patrick McLaughlin, a boxing instructor at Ground Zero Fight Systems of Morgantown, West Virginia.
Types
Mike Castro, general manager and instructor at LA Boxing in Turnersville, New Jersey, says that he tries to keep all of his clients happy with a good mix of music. From Bone Thugs and Harmony to Linkin Park, Castro uses popular music to drive his students through their workouts.
Time Frame
Plan music according to what part of training you are undertaking. Choose three or four slower songs for the 10 to 15 minutes of stretching. As you start to move around to get the blood flowing move into three faster songs. For the main portion of your workout, get into the 140 to 150 bpm range for 10 songs. You will want to choose heavier and faster music such as "Battery" by Metallica, "Bia Bia" by Lil Jon or "This Calling" by All that Remains. Cool down to softer music for 10 to 15 minutes.
Considerations
Change your music regularly so you do not get bored.
Posted in: Boxing Training