The Power of Mindset and Music
One of the things I tell people about exercise is that sometimes the hardest part of the workout happens before you’ve even started.
It’s the conversation going on inside your head.
I’m tired.
I don’t feel like going.
I haven’t got enough energy.
Everyone else at the gym will be fitter than me.
I’ll go tomorrow.
I really believe mindset is an enormous part of fitness. Our thoughts don’t magically make a heavy weight lighter, but they can change how we approach the workout, whether we start in the first place and how we experience what we’re doing.
And one of my favourite ways of changing that mindset is music.
I’ve always known instinctively that the right music changes the way I move. Put on something uplifting and suddenly I have more energy. My posture changes. My mood changes. I want to move.
There is actually research behind this. Studies of exercise and music have found that music can improve mood and motivation and can sometimes reduce our perception of effort. Research also suggests that music we personally enjoy can be particularly effective.
That last part really interests me.
Because the perfect workout music isn’t necessarily the same for everybody.
One person wants powerful dance music. Somebody else loves rock. I love global and tribal sounds, drums and rhythms that make me want to move. For yoga I want something completely different — music that helps me breathe, slow down, move consciously and eventually become still.
So recently I’ve taken this one stage further.
I’ve started creating my own music.
I use Suno, an AI music-making platform that allows you to describe the kind of music you want and create a song around that idea. I can choose the mood, energy and musical direction and write my own lyrics.
For me, this has opened up a completely new way of thinking about exercise music.
Instead of finding a song that happens to fit my workout, I can create music for the workout I want to have.
If I’m warming up, I can create something at a gentler tempo that gradually makes me want to move.
When I want to work harder, I can create something more powerful and rhythmic.
When I’m doing yoga, I can create music that reminds me to breathe, soften my shoulders, come back into my body and let go of the rest of the day.
But the part I’m probably most interested in is putting positive words and affirmations into the music itself.
Imagine doing your workout while the music is reminding you:
You are strong.
You’ve got this.
Keep going.
One more.
Breathe.
Trust your body.
You are becoming stronger.
I love that.
Instead of the internal voice saying, I can’t do this, I’m deliberately creating another voice that says, Yes you can. Just keep moving.
I don’t think affirmations replace proper training. They don’t build the muscle for you and they don’t mean you should ignore pain or push beyond what is appropriate for your body.
But they can change the emotional atmosphere around exercise.
And sometimes that’s exactly what we need.
If you’re struggling to get to the gym, try telling yourself you’re only going for 15 minutes. Put your favourite music on before you even leave the house. Let the music begin changing your state before the workout starts.
You can always come home after 15 minutes.
But very often, once you’re there, you’ve warmed up, the music is playing and your body is moving, something changes.
Fifteen minutes becomes twenty.
Twenty becomes thirty.
And suddenly you’ve done the workout you nearly talked yourself out of doing.
I’m now experimenting with creating personalised music for my clients too.
I think this is such a lovely idea because motivation is personal. One woman might need encouragement and confidence. Another might need powerful music that makes her feel strong. Somebody returning to exercise after years away might need something completely different — reassurance, kindness and reminders that she doesn’t have to keep up with anybody else.
Why shouldn’t our workout music reflect that?
We personalise someone’s exercise programme. We consider their strength, mobility, fitness and goals. So why not personalise some of the psychology surrounding the workout too?
Music can also help us move through the different stages of a session.
The warm-up can say, I’m arriving.
The workout can say, I’m strong.
The difficult bit can say, Keep going.
The cool-down can say, Breathe.
And relaxation can say, You’ve done enough. Now let go.
That’s how I use music in my own yoga and fitness practice.
It isn’t background noise.
It’s part of the experience.
And if you’re someone who finds exercise difficult, don’t underestimate the importance of making your workout enjoyable.
You don’t get extra points because you hated every minute of it.
Find movement you enjoy.
Find music that makes you want to move.
Work on the voice inside your head.
And perhaps even create a soundtrack that reminds you of the person you’re becoming.
Listen to My Playlists
My Yoga Playlist
Gentler music I’ve created for yoga, breathing, movement and relaxation:
https://suno.com/s/vrZXAIPJ7A1dyeuH
My Gym Playlist
Music I’ve created to motivate, encourage and energise you through your workout:
https://suno.com/s/dRpVaJAQiqUaqfCE
I also create personalised motivational songs for my clients, using words and affirmations that are meaningful to them. Because sometimes the right exercise programme helps us train the body — and the right words and music help us get our mind on board.
Selena
Personal Trainer, Yoga Teacher & Wellbeing Coach
In Flow Wellbeing Studio, Cheltenham
