Music vs. Inner Coach
Recently Roy at Kettlebell Wall asked the question, what music do you like to listen to while using your kettlebells? I think he got some good, and somewhat varied responses.
I remember that Laura Pasik (and maybe others) responded that she didn’t listen to music at all while using kettlebells because she likes to keep focused. I understood that and considered it briefly, but decided it wasn’t for me, as music has been a vital component to help me keep moving at high intensity in my workouts.
Somehow my ipod battery had gotten dangerously low over the last couple of days. I am new to this toy, and I’m still learning what to expect from the battery and how to know when it really needs to be charged. I thought it had plenty of juice, but apparently my son had used my ipod yesterday and the battery was lower that I knew.
So about two minutes into my kettlebell practice today, the music died. At first I thought maybe I’d forgotten to put the lock on, and had stopped the music by accident. At my next rest period, I examined the gadget and learned the bad news: battery gone. So I quickly went in search of my back-up, a Sansa clip mp3 player which also runs off a rechargeable battery. Part of the reason I replaced it though, was because it doesn’t hold a charge very long. I had charged it once last week, but I soon found that it also was juice-less this morning.
No time to think about it further, it was time to begin my next round. Ugh. Suddenly the kettlebell felt heavier and the movements were more difficult. Ideas of stopping the workout and resuming later with a recharged ipod passed through my mind. With a full day ahead I decided to proceed. I wasn’t a happy camper.
But then I realized that while doing the movements, I could hear in my head reminders – keep your wrist and elbow locked, abs tight, shoulder in the socket, focus on the bell, etc. Although annoyed with the lack of a good beat to push me along, I understood why Laura does it this way. Those cues are always running through my head when I’m doing my kettlebell practice – even when I have the music, but they fade to the background. Perhaps they get quieted too much, or too often.
No question, my session seemed to last forever today. I was sick of my “inner coach” by the end and really tired of hearing my joints crack and pop! But I probably used a little bit better form today.
For a second I considered making this my new routine. No, for me the music is part of what makes the movements fun. So I’m charging that ipod now. But occasionally doing my practice ”quiet” would probably serve me well.
How do your workouts go when you don’t have music?
I think for me what it comes down to is, am I “working out” or am I practicing? If it’s a workout the focus is on maintaining the desired intensity level, whereas if it’s a practice I’m focusing on form. With kettlebells I feel as though I’m still at the practice stage not the workout stage because my technique still leaves much to be desired. Once I feel more confident about that aspect of my kettlebell training I will probably start listening to music again. The right playlist certainly does make the time pass more quickly! I can’t imagine running or cycling without some good music to keep my legs moving!
Sarah,
I stopped listening to music when working out mainly because I washed my ipod shuffle by accident and I’m don’t want to buy another one. I’ve found myself able to focus on my technique. Also I have some jams on my ipod that will give me an adrenaline rush, which can really foul up my technique.
iPods are glorious for long distance running though although I haven’t ran long distances in months.
I find that I need to listen to music. I prefer alternative rock, and rock, but occasionally I’ll do dance music. I will say I did the MMA conditioning workouts without music because I was worried about too many things going on at once while throwing a barbell around and I found I was definitely more focused on form. In the end, I think I’m with you. Sprints are different for me though. If I do them at the track I don’t listen to music. If I do them at the gym, I need music otherwise the workout seems long and I can’t wait for it to be over.
Lovely blog as usual- just shows you it’s each to his own.
What ever works best for you – to reach that sessions’ goals.
MY inner coach like to listen to music, will listen to certain music only, uses whole songs as sets instead of a gymboss,and my inner coach can still be heard- quite clearly.
He does listen to the same songs though…
He also says the music covers up the bad language.
oh.. i use earphones, so if i use a gymboss stick it down my sports bra.. top tip
I’m with you, Sarah…gotta have music! I’ve gotten spoiled I guess, but the few times that my ipod has died on me have been the longest sessions, at least they felt longer.
(I loved the part about you whipping out your back-up player when your ipod died…reminded me of my son playing Call of Duty and switching from his M16 to his Desert Eagle handgun!)
By the way, what kind of stuff do you listen to? Love to hear the names of a few of your favorites! (Mine: for lifting: Disturbed, Foo Fighters, 3 Doors Down, Chevelle, and “Rip”s favorite all-time band, Nickeback. For intervals: Benassi Bros,Paul Van Dyk, any upbeat mix…)
Terrific post, Sarah!
music is essential to me.
it’s normally loud & playing in the background during my workouts. keeps me focused, away from any distractions including phone, cellphone, internet, television.
music with mad beats keeps me going, pushes me harder, gets me fired up. if i can shave off a couple of seconds of time or add a couple more reps, even another set, i am all for it.
for movements that require finesse or slow, strict form, then silence & atmosphere will do just fine.
I agree with Daniel music is essential… TO ME.
If I’m training on my own I listen to music.
I prefer earphones as that way I can work with my inner coach.
I can dissappear to my courage corner and not bother the household.
I find the music helps me focus and zone out- if you like.
However, I completely understand what Laura is saying.
And generally because of this my inner coach listens to the same music again and again.
That way my focus is not lost.
It really is personal preference and it is great to see what everyone else does.
Do I not lose focus?
I listen to everything before i use it to practice to.
If I hear a new song I will have an exercise or workout in mind when i hear it.
It pushes me, it syncs with my hip snap, punch and bottom of the squat, whatever.
That way I have a rythmn to train to.
Certain tunes have certain beats for certain exercises. And will select accordingly.
I also will use song lengths as sets. and have been known to listen to the same song over and over again!
What did we do before ipod?? Where’s my walkman?
Another great post strongsarah
Laura — I like that distinction you have made between working out and practicing. That makes a lot of sense.
Jimmy — I remember you saying that you ruined your shuffle, but the thought of an Apple Store Guy not having an ipod handy for workouts is somewhat shocking! Interesting comment about the music potentially fouling up your technique. I never even thought of the music as having a potential negative impact before. This has turned out to be a lot more to consider than I imagined.
Julie — I agree, with HIIT/sprints sometimes the music can get annoying. It may be hitting a high point when you are not or vice versa. It’s also tough to pay attention to your gymboss when you have the music on. Normally I rely on the vibrate feature but when I’m doing HIIT or anything that’s super high intensity, like the MMA workout, I need something a little more intrusive to break into my exercise induced stupor.
Sarah — Interesting that your inner coach is a he. Mine’s a she. Actually it’s me! It sounds like we are similar in our attempts to allow for the inner coach to be heard, but still be able to hear the music. Finding the right balance would be perfection. Thanks for the idea for gymboss positioning. Could definitely come in handy!
I love the idea of listening to everything before using it to practice to and coordinating songs with certain elements you will be practicing. Great ideas!! I do find that I don’t mind listening to the same songs again and again, even in the same workout, if they match the movement and the tempo I am going for. Perhaps I could take it one step further as you do, and preplan the workout and music together. Thanks for the great input!
Fred — Thanks, yeah – I was determined to exhaust all options in finding music that would suffice. I nearly went rummaging through my (9 year old) son’s stuff to find his mp3 player. Can you believe I considered working out to Crazy Frog!??!
Daniel — Me too. I think that’s my final conclusion after all this consideration.
Yeah Sarah U know what..
I think I must use ‘he’ in the way we say ‘man’ kind as my inner coach is also definitely me and no one else! No imaginary coach in my head! I my be mad but i aint that mad! …Yet
This is such a great discussion. That’s a really good point about familiarity with the music making a difference. When I’m learning a dance one of the first things I do is listen to the musical accompaniment over and over and over until I know it well enough that it doesn’t interfere with my inner ballet mistress. (Yep, got one of those too. Y’all think I might need Thorazine or something?)
It’s about time for my kettlebell practice, so I’m going to give it a go using one of my spinning playlists as an accompaniment. I’m supposed to do swings in sets of 50, with 20 seconds rest between sets, for 8 minutes, and if music will help make the experience less worse, I’m all for that!