To listen or not to listen?

here’s what Poliquin has to say about it:

Q: I always listen to music when I train, but I’ve heard that some strength coaches don’t recommend it. What do you think?

A: The research is very confusing on this topic. Some recent research shows that music increases strength in 50 percent of people, but the same music decreases strength for the other half of the test group.

The people who listen to music and get stronger are the people who are inherently motivated by external rewards. Guys who don’t like music [while they train] are inwardly motivated.

In my gym, there’s no music. But if a guy wants to wear an iPod, then he can go right ahead … as long as I can’t hear it. Hey, if snorting napalm between sets made you stronger then I don’t care, as long as it’s not on the doping list. The point is, I don’t discourage it if it works for that individual.

For me, though, no music when lifting. I find it much easier to concentrate without it.

It’s like in most modern martial-arts schools they play music. But in Japan, the masters would go crazy if they heard it.

i think it’s a just a case of whatever floats your boat.

if loud music helps you focus and perform better, then listen to loud music. if it distracts you, then don’t!