iPod an essential Plex accessory

It seems that one can hardly walk into a gym these days without seeing white iPod earphones dangling from the ears of everyone there, and Boston College's own frequenters of the William Flynn Recreational Complex confirm the fact: Music just keeps you going.

Studies have shown that music can improve the results that people get while working out. Listening to music while exercising acts as a motivator as well as a distraction from fatigue. The consensus at the Plex is that listening to music while exercising helps pass the time and keeps energy levels up.

Madeline Johnson, CSOM '08, said, "I do it to keep from getting bored." On a typical day at the Plex, nearly everyone is on a treadmill, lifting free weights, or trying out some of the new weight machines, distracts themselves with tunes from their own workout playlists. Professional athletes often listen to music while exercising, as well. A New York Times article titled, "They're Playing My Song. Time to Work Out" said that Haile Gebrselassie, Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000-meter from Ethiopia, requests that the techno song "Scatman" be played over the sound system during races.

Not all workout songs are created equal, however. Dr. Costas Karageorghis, an associate professor of sport psychology at Brunel University in England, told New York Times reporters that there while there are many attributes that make a good workout song, one is key.

The most important feature of the song is its tempo, which Karageorghis said should be between 140 and 120 beats per minute (bpm), as it usually corresponds with a person's heart rate during workouts. Fortunately, much rock and dance music falls into this range, making it easy to find songs to work out to.

Students at BC said that they listen to everything from rap to country, and every genre in between. Some favorites include Kanye West, TI's "Bring em Out," and Sara Bareilles' recent hit, "Love Song." "I'm listening to Jay-Z right now," said Brett Mensinger, CSOM '10.

Not surprisingly, BC students said that the music they work out to is the same music they listen to outside of the gym. This is most likely due to the fact that the bpm count of their favorite pop and rock songs are right in that range, which leads people to form "an aesthetic appreciation for that tempo," Karageorghis said.

It is also important that the tempo is easy to follow so that their movements can match those of the song.

This becomes especially important in selecting music for aerobics classes, where the music plays an important role in keeping participants motivated as the hour-long class progresses.

Power Music, a company that aims at making the perfect workout mixes, was founded by former D.J. Richard Petty.

The key to his music compilations, such as "Shape Walk - 70s Hits Remixed," is to remix upbeat dance songs and put them on a CD with no pauses between songs. The constant flow of music helps a person synchronize their movements with the beat for an extended period of time.

Cardio and aerobic classes at the Plex follow this trend; remixes of popular dance music can be heard blasting from the speakers of a workout room or from basketball court No. 10, where many group fitness classes are held long into the night. Teachers tend to use the music to keep all participants moving at the same pace as they go through their work-out routines.

Though upbeat dance tunes are popular among Plex-goers, there are a few workout staples that constantly reappear. One of these, the theme from Rocky, has kept runners going for decades, Karageorghis said. This classic beat is even performed by a Brooklyn high school band every year during the New York City Marathon to motivate the runners as they pass.

Though not all Plex-goers felt the same way, a few admitted shyly that the song comes up on their playlists occasionally. "The Rocky theme song always gets me through the hardest workouts," said Kristin Borrero, A&S '11.

Another motivating factor for musical distraction may be a fault of the Plex rather than students' need for distraction while working out. "I don't like hearing the machines," said Theresa Cirelle, A&S '08.

Whatever their reasons may be, one fact is clear: Most people wouldn't dare leave for the gym without their music by their side.