The Importance of Music in Gyms

Not many people will be able to imagine working out without some kind of music; whether it’s to entertain or motivate them it’s an essential component of any gym. That’s why getting the music right is as important as if it were a 5 star hotel, high-end department store, chilled out bar or family friendly restaurant.

1. Music creates a motivational atmosphere

The right music in gyms has powerful motivational qualities that can help people throughout their workout. This is important for gyms as it creates an appealing and motivating atmosphere the moment customers enter and ensures they’re more likely to return. Research conducted in April 2012 amongst 2,000 gym goers found that more than half respondents would visit the gym less frequently if it didn’t play music*. If they visit less frequently, they’re less likely to continue their membership!

2. Music and Exercise go hand in hand

Music has many benefits for those doing exercise. Gym music distracts people from the physical effort being put in, and reduces the feeling of fatigue, allowing gyms goers to train harder for longer. High tempo music increases the heart rate which helps prepare your body for exercise, and the rhythms of music help with motor coordination helping people move more fluidly and reduce chance of injury. The biggest benefit of all though is…it makes working out more enjoyable.

3. What type of music should your gym play?

Gyms should be playing high tempo music; somewhere in the 120 to 140 beats per minute range should do it. Dance music typically fits into this range and is a popular choice because it’s easy to listen to and the focus is on the beats and rhythms, making it easier for you to time your exercise to the beat of the music without getting sidetracked by lyrics and emotion of a track. Of course other styles work too, from rock to 80’s pop, and the Muzo service has them all and allows your gym to easily match your music to the customer demographic and footfall at any moment in time.

4. Provides a necessary distraction

Gyms don’t want their customers to feel self-conscious when working out, which if we’re all honest we will have been at some point, as this will have a negative on their experience. Instead, gyms need their customers to feel relaxed and focused on their own work out at all times. The right music helps people get in the zone, so they are less aware of others, and others are less aware of them.

5. No wires, no hassle!

Lots of people use mp3 players or smart phones for their workout music, due to unsuitable music being played. But in gyms these can sometimes be a distraction, like on a treadmill for example. Or if you’re laid on a bench and lifting weights, the last the last thing you want to worry about is trapping the headphone wire under you and having the headphones pulled out of your ears! Also people spend time changing their music, telling the social world they’re at the gym, increasing the time they use equipment for etc. affecting the flow of the gym.

6. Radio is not the answer!

Gym owners, managers and staff might be tempted to play the radio throughout the gym floor, but it’s definitely not the answer. With radio you have no control over the music that’s played, so you can’t play the right music for your customers. There’s also the distraction of the presenters and regional advertising; we’ve even heard of one gym who inadvertently advertised a competitor’s offer because they had national radio playing! Gyms are all about bettering yourself, and your music should reflect that!

*sources
http://www.musicworksforyou.com/research/business-sectors/34-gyms –

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