The Power of Music in Gym Motivation

A new survey by a music licensing organization has highlighted the deep connection between music and gym motivation, uncovering insights into why some Brits keep their memberships—and why others don't.

While 21% of Brits have never held a gym membership, more than three-quarters (78%) of those who have been members in the past admitted to canceling.

Almost half (49%) canceled because of the cost, and nearly one in five (17%) admitted that they never used their gym memberships.

Another 19% said their gyms were simply too busy. Interestingly, only a small percentage—just 4%—attributed their cancellations to failed New Year’s resolutions.

The effects of the cost-of-living crisis are also evident, with nearly one in six (14%) turning to workouts at home or outdoors instead of their local gym.

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What Keeps Brits Motivated

A key takeaway from the survey is the role music plays in keeping gym-goers motivated.

Over half (58%) of participants cited listening to music as a primary driver for staying focused during workouts.

Other motivators included keeping fitness goals in mind (41%) and enjoying the feeling of losing weight (38%).

People also highlighted group exercise, the gym’s atmosphere, and achieving personal bests as significant factors in maintaining their fitness routines.

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Why Music Matters

Marianne Rizkallah, a music therapist at PPL PRS, explained how music enhances a gym environment and boosts motivation.

"A silent gym doesn’t sound like a fun place to be, so it’s no wonder that music and atmosphere are two huge factors in creating a fitness space people want to spend time in," she said.

Music acts as a mood-lifter, helps with focus, and even assists in achieving fitness milestones like running a sub-30-minute 5K.

For gym owners, this is an important insight—70% of gym-goers revealed they would enjoy a workout playlist more if it featured recognizable, commercial music.

Rizkallah recommends upbeat, positive, and motivating tracks to keep people committed and energized.

Studies have shown that music isn’t just entertainment—it has genuine physiological and psychological impacts. Luke Hughes, a personal trainer at Active Careers, explains that music serves as a “positive distraction” during workouts.

While your brain processes the discomfort of physical exertion, music acts as a competitor for your attention, keeping you from focusing solely on fatigue. This effect helps people push their limits and exercise for longer.

Music also helps reduce cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone that naturally increases during exercise.

Additionally, familiar or rhythmic music can boost performance by fostering a focused mindset and creating a sense of rhythm. A consistent beat can even enhance efficiency—providing a tempo to sync movements more effectively while exercising.

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Music’s Role in Better Workouts

Music has become an indispensable aspect of modern fitness routines and gym culture.

From encouraging longer sessions to boosting willpower and reducing perceived effort, it’s no wonder that music ranks so highly among gym-goers as a workout essential.

The right playlist could be the key to transforming a mediocre session into a feel-good, high-performance workout that leaves you wanting more.

Poll

How long is your ideal workout?

30 min

45 min

60+ min

For gym-goers and fitness centers alike, it’s clear—when it comes to working out, music doesn’t just set the tone; it sets the pace.

Source: londondaily

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.