Music as a Workout Essential? Even the Ancient Greeks Agreed!

Nowadays, when you observe individuals working out, they often have their headphones on, regardless of whether they're at the fitness center or running outdoors.

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It makes sense, as studies have shown Listening to music may enhance your exercise experience.

In some way, the ancient Greeks and Romans were also aware of this, long before contemporary science provided evidence for it.

An ancient practice spanning over 2,000 years

In his speech "To the People of Alexandria," the Greek author Dio Chrysostom (40–110 AD) expressed frustration over an occurrence he frequently observed.

Dio wrote people who were enjoyed listening to individuals who found pleasure in hearing those whom people liked to hear persons who captivated listeners audiences who appreciated their voices folks who entertained with their speech listeners who favored their presence characters that drew attention through dialogue voices that resonated with audiences performers whose speeches were cherished music within their everyday routines. He believed that music was present in the courtrooms, lecture halls, doctors' offices, and even gyms.

"All things are carried out with music [...] individuals will soon start using songs to support their workouts at the gym," Dio wrote.

However, working out with music was not something novel in his time. This habit was documented throughout the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations since the earliest periods, as far back as the poetry of... Homer (circa 800 BCE).

Why exercise to music?

Numerous portrayals of elite athletes exercising or participating in competitions can be found in ancient Greek pottery, often set against a musical backdrop.

One vase artwork from the 5th century BCE depicts a gathering of athletes training as a musician performs on the aulos a kind of old wind instrument

The ancient writer Plutarch of Chaeronea (46-119 CE) tells us Music was also performed as individuals engaged in wrestling or athletic competitions.

Athenian writer Flavius Philostratus (around 170–245 CE) provides hints regarding this. In a work focusing on physical training, Philostratus wrote Music was used to energize athletes, and their performance could potentially enhance by listening to music.

Modern-day scientists have confirmed this to be accurate. A study from 2020 study A study involving 3,599 participants found that listening to music while exercising provided several advantages, including lowering feelings of tiredness and effort, and enhancing physical performance and respiration.

Singing and trumpets

In earlier times, when humans did not own electronic gadgets, they discovered alternative methods to work out with musical accompaniment. Certain individuals had a performer play music as part of their workout session. Others preferred to sing while engaging in physical activity.

Singing during ball games was very common. In Homer's Odyssey (around the 8th century BCE), Nausicaa, the daughter of the ruler of Phaeacia, participates in a ball game with her female companions, and they all sing songs as they play.

Similarly, the historian Carystius of Pergamum (2nd century BCE) wrote The women of his era "sang while they played ball."

A common pastime involved moving to musical rhythms. Many viewed dance as a physical workout that individuals could engage in for improved well-being.

A well-known supporter of the advantages of dance as physical activity was the renowned Athenian philosopher Socrates (circa 470–399 BCE). According to the historian Diogenes Laertius (3rd century CE), "Socrates often danced, believing that this activity contributed to maintaining physical fitness."

In addition to people listening to music during their own workouts, soldiers also conducted physical training sessions and advanced toward combat accompanied by the sounds of... trumpets .

Don't skip leg day

It was commonly believed in ancient Greece and Rome that music and physical activity were essential for cultivating both the body and the spirit.

The perfect state involved balance and restraint. Both the physical form and spirit had to remain well-coordinated and evenly developed in every aspect, avoiding any overindulgence. Therefore, engaging in a single type of workout repeatedly, or focusing too much on one area of the body, was considered undesirable.

The physician Galen of Pergamum (129–216 CE) criticized exercise types that concentrate excessively on a specific area of the body. He favored team sports because they provided balanced physical activity for the entire body.

Excessive engagement with music—in other words, hearing an excessive amount, or being exposed to highly emotive compositions—was occasionally viewed negatively.

For instance, the Athenian thinker Plato (around 428–348 BCE) strongly believed that most music ought to be censored since it has the potential to awaken emotions excessively. Plato believed that only straightforward and non-emotional music, which is heard in limited amounts, should be permitted.

If ancient people were able to observe modern individuals jogging on sidewalks while listening to loud music through headphones, they would certainly be surprised. They might also support this activity—provided it was not taken too far.

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