Music is used in a variety of ways to enhance and elevate the group fitness experience. When used appropriately, physical and emotional responses create powerful, life-long, positive associations between exercise and accomplishment. As a certified group fitness instructor, I gear my music, type and tempo, to my audience, which includes a variety of music; Oldies, 80s, Classic Rock, Pop Hits, etc.
Music helps people perform better, and playlists have motivating songs because music helps people to work out harder and longer, and even enjoy it more. Music helps drive a group workout harder and there are numerous powerful studies to show positive associations between music and exercise performance. I always say to my class participants "Have fun and enjoy the music, next thing you'll know, an hour will have gone by and you are sweating!"
Finding the Beat & Cueing to Music - In fitness music, a measure or bar typically has 4 beats in it. The first beat of a measure is called the downbeat, and it is the most important key to synchronizing movements to the music. Movements are typically changed or started on the downbeat (count 1 of an 8-count phrase), so an instructor can use 4-beat or 2-beat cueing to help master timely, effective cueing. Movement change of exercise on the downbeat and cueing to let the class participants know there is going to be a change, ahead of time, is SO important, and will make the class run smoothly. Motivating and appropriate music combined with good cueing makes for a FUN & EFFECTIVE workout; that I hope makes you come back again and again!
Reference: Athletics & Fitness Association of America
