Different types of music impact how we feel, and if you take it one step further by working out in sync with the beat, research shows you’ll get a better workout. In a 2013 study, scientists found that running to motivational music with a prominent and consistent beat matched to the runner's cadence produced the best results. This helped the runners not only physically, but psychologically too. Benefits Increases Endurance Listening to music while you run can actually help you run longer. In his book, Inside Sports Psychology, Dr. Coastas Karageoghis says having some tunes to jam to as you run can increase your endurance by up to 15%. Helps Your Timing Solo training runs can sometimes get a little boring. When you’re heading out without a running buddy, a playlist of some of your favorite tracks can keep your mind occupied while the miles slip away and make time go faster. Increases Mood and Reduces Stress A happy runner is a successful runner, and listening to music can improve your mood so that you’re less likely to quit. Music is a great way to decrease your stress even further. Music influences the areas of your brain that are related to your emotions, which can help you to relax. You’ll come in from your run refreshed, happier and ready to handle whatever the rest of your day has to throw at you. Can Increase Speed Scientists used to think that our muscles fatigued once we reached our physiological limit, but we now know that’s not true. Instead, our brains tell us that we’re tired in order to prevent us from damaging our bodies. This means that if you’re highly motivated, your brain will be willing to risk getting a little bit closer to that limit. Research has found that music can alter your perception of effort and fatigue by up to 12 percent, allowing you to trick your brain into pushing a little bit harder for better performance. Songs that have a tempo range of 120 to 140 BPM are best for helping you run faster. It is important to make sure that your music isn’t too loud and you can still hear what is going on around you. Music is an excellent motivational tool to get us out the door, and our favorite songs can boost our mood, improve our performance and turn a good run into a great run.