Music can make you run faster. Fact. I can tell you this not only based on my own experiences with the Rocky soundtrack (I know, I'm a cliché) but science has also proven this theory more than once.
The distraction of music can improve an athlete's performance by up to 15% according to researchers at Brunel University. That's a lot.
Not only that, but the type of music you listen to makes a difference as researchers at the Scandinavian Journals of Medicine in Sport found when testing the performance of cyclists with different paces of music. The upshot? They worked harder with faster music.
Finally as yet more proof, there is a reason that we all connect with that one power song that can't help but power you up a hill. Okay, since you asked, mine is All About That Bass - no shame - it's science. The Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that motivational music (which this clearly IS) enhances effort and enjoyment of the task.
So science agrees, music is good for your running motivation. And we have good news to you, to avoid the stress of choosing, because it can be too much pressure - we know. Spotify have released a playlist with the 50 ultimate running tracks. They surveyed their listeners when on the run and found the 50 tops tracks to run to - results below.
If you haven't already got involved with Spotify's running feature, now is the time. You can find playlists to match your pace or ask it to make a bespoke playlist for you.
Enjoy and lace up!
