Why You Should Use Music in Your Fitness Classes

Music is the backbone of our culture, with large amounts of research highlighting the importance and benefits of music within group fitness classes. When polled, more than 75% of group fitness members said they prefer taking a class that is taught to music. By using music in your classes, it helps to enhance your clients’ exercise performance, increase stamina, motivate participants, improve mood and can even help give inspiration to the instructor and stay on task. But how can a simple song or melody pack so much punch? Well Barre Boss, let’s break it down!

1.) Music is a Motivator. There is nothing like a good ‘ol power ballad to help push through the last thirty seconds of that plank or crank out the final four push-ups. Music can give your class the motivation they need to get through a tough workout, like their very own personal cheerleader! By simply encouraging them to just keep moving, music is a great way to increase stamina and gain strength.

2.) Instant Mood Booster. You know the feeling of when you are taking a class and your favorite song comes on - instantly you turn that frown upside down and SMILE! The same is true for your group fitness members! Ask your class what their favorite songs are and add their requests to your next playlist. They will be so excited to hear their suggestion and it’s a great way to make them feel connected. By simply setting your workouts to upbeat music, you can create positive vibes and energy that encourage a “can do” attitude for your participants.

3.) You’re Favorite Tool. Don’t let music intimidate you as an instructor! With practice, it can be your favorite tool in your Teacher Tool Box! In our Raising the Barre Workshop, we breakdown how to choreograph your exercises and series to music in an easy-to-follow format. When setting your workouts to music, it will help you piece together a series much quicker by following a verse-chorus pattern. Have you ever completely blanked during class? If you set your series/exercises to music, it is much easier to pick up where you left off the next time the verse or chorus comes on. The more comfortable you get with tempo and beat, the more you will find that songs just beg you to be a certain exercise (warm-up song, squat song, stretch song, etc). Just like your clients, you too will be inspired by the music and your classes will be better for it!

Music truly is a jack of all trades: it motivates your clients to try their hardest, encourages them to keep moving, releases endorphins AND inspires and assists you as the instructor! If you are new to the music game, it may feel daunting at first, but will definitely pay off in more ways than one in the end!

Ready to take your classes to the next level by incorporating more music into your workouts? Sign up for our next Raising the Barre Workshop and become a music maestro!

Hope to “see” you at the barre soon!

Cheers,

Heather McCreight