You listen to your favorite music on the drive to work, at the office and when you’re relaxing after dinner, so why not pick some great jams for your workout as well? Studies show that working out to certain types of music can keep you motivated and stay focused enough so you put yourself in the ‘zone’. The ‘zone’ is your moment of peak performance, those few minutes where all of your moves seem effortless. If you’ve ever undertaken a really hard workout session, you’ve probably experienced the power of the zone.

All you need is a portable music player and the ability to download music tracks. Alternatively, you can pick up a ‘workout music’ CD or other compilation that consists of high-energy dance and hip-hop tunes that are sure to motivate even the most tired gym-goer.

Stock up on a few great songs and set up the play sequence so that the entire session includes a few low-key tracks for warm up and cool down session as well. You can choose almost any genre of music, as long as it has a fast-paced beat: hip-hop or rap, techno/trance, country music and disco or pop classics are all great for complementing your high-energy workout. Just pack the player in your gym bag and you’ll be ready to go.

The great thing about exercising to music is you can give your brain something to focus on while your body goes through the motions. This is a lot easier than focusing on the gym environment or even watching television while you’re working out, because it gives you a place to center your energy. Before long, your exercise session will be over and you’ll be full of happy vibes from the ensuing endorphin rush.

Make workout time that much easier to keep up with by making it fun! Adding music to the mix is a simple and effective way to stay motivated for the long-run and perfect all of your gym moves. Whether you’re hitting the treadmill or the weight bench this season, take along that music player and headphones so that you can pick up the pace and get the most out of your workout!