🎵 Why Working Out with Music Hits Different (According to Science)

Ever noticed how a workout feels easier (and more fun) when your favourite playlist is pumping? It's not just in your head — research shows that music is a powerful performance enhancer when it comes to exercise.

Whether you're on the court, in the gym, or going for a walk, here’s why adding music to your movement routine can make a big difference.

1. Music Literally Changes How You Feel Exercise

Studies from Brunel University have found that listening to upbeat music can lower perceived effort during workouts — meaning you push harder, but it feels easier.

"Music has the capacity to capture attention, lift spirits, generate emotion, change or regulate mood, evoke memories, increase work output, and encourage rhythmic movement."
— Dr. Costas Karageorghis, Brunel University London

This means that when you're rallying in a cardio tennis session with a beat in the background, you’re more likely to stay in the zone — and enjoy every minute of it.

2. It Improves Physical Performance

Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that synchronous music (with a tempo that matches your movement) helps improve endurance and coordination. Participants ran farther, cycled longer, and performed more reps when music was involved.

So, yes — your body literally performs better with the right soundtrack.

3. It Activates More of Your Brain

Music activates multiple areas of the brain — including the motor cortex, cerebellum, and limbic system — which are involved in movement, emotion, and motivation. This boosts focus and helps you stay mentally engaged during repetitive or high-intensity movement.

Dr. Andrew Huberman also points out that music can increase dopamine release during physical activity, further enhancing motivation and the “feel good” effect.

4. It Helps You Regulate Mood & Stress

Whether you’re unwinding with slower music during warm-up and cool-down, or using energising beats to get pumped up, music gives you a sense of control over your environment. According to the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, this can lead to better emotional regulation, less stress, and a greater sense of reward post-exercise.

5. It Makes Group Exercise More Social & Engaging

At Jones Co. Tennis, we use music in our all our programs to make sessions more dynamic and community-focused. Music helps people loosen up, laugh, and feel more connected — which makes them more likely to come back.

The result? Better long-term fitness habits.

🎶 Pro Tips for Exercising with Music

• Choose songs with a BPM (beats per minute) that match your activity — 120–140 BPM is great for cardio.

• Use wireless headphones or a speaker you love to keep the vibe high.

• Create playlists that match your mood — energising, focus, or recovery.

• Join a group session with music built in (like Cardio Tennis!).

Ready to Move to the Beat?

If you’ve been dragging yourself through workouts, maybe what you're missing isn’t motivation — it’s music.

Come try one of our Jones Co. Tennis Cardio or Pickleball sessions, where the beats are high, the energy is real, and the fun is built in. 🎶🎾

Whether you're based in Wollongong, Shellharbour, or anywhere in the Illawarra, there’s a class nearby waiting for them.

👉 Keen to join a class? Head to our website to book

Sources:

• Brunel University London, Dr. Costas Karageorghis – https://www.brunel.ac.uk

• Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2012

• International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2013

• Huberman Lab Podcast: Episode on Dopamine & Motivation – https://hubermanlab.com