Want to Workout Better? Turn Up the Tunes.

When the going gets tough, the tough turn to Beyoncé. Or Springsteen. Or Kanye. Many a runner knows the power of a good playlist on a run, and now there’s scientific proof: multiple studies show that music increases concentration, lowers perception of effort, and generally leaves you feeling like you can take on the world – or at the very least, that beast of a hill.

For some runners, a pair of headphones and a Garmin Forerunner 645 Music may be all that’s needed to bust out of a training rut. When runners add music to their training arsenal, they often find the stimulus is just what they need to go faster, farther, and with less effort. Here’s how:

Turn On, Tune In, Go Fast

Studies out of Brunel University show that music can improve performance by almost 15 percent, or three minutes off the average 5K time. How? By blocking the part of the brain that recognizes pain and fatigue. When you’re rocking out to Kendrick Lamar, you’re more likely to accept – and even enjoy – a harder effort.

Pump Up The Jam

Studies show that when it comes to music as a motivational tool, women pay attention to tempo and melody, while men hone in on the lyrics. Both are equally effective for keeping the stoke levels high on a run. A 2004 study published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that music increases motivation to run, especially in the initial miles of a workout, when the body and brain are struggling to get on board.

Love To Hear Percussion

The beat of the song can influence the beat of your run. When you listen to faster music, you’re more likely to run with a faster turnover, say researchers from the University of Plymouth. For best results, download songs with a cadence of 180 beats per minute, a cadence “sweet spot” that has been linked to both better performance and decreased injury risk.

Slow Jams For Faster Recovery

Music doesn’t just benefit runners during a workout. As it turns out, it can also speed up recovery. A 2010 study out of Narayana Medical College found that runners who listened to music in the days following a tough workout recovered faster than those who went sans playlist.

Put the “Beat” in Your Daily Mission To Beat Yesterday

With up to 500 songs worth of music storage built right into your watch, the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music makes it easy to take your tunes with you on every run. This all-in-one watch has it all: GPS tracking, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, social networking via Garmin Connect, real-time training feedback and Garmin Pay contactless payment for on-the-go purchases. Now you can really leave your phone behind when you head out for a run, because the music that keeps you moving is right there on your wrist.

For more information about how to rock out with the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music and its featured technologies, visit Garmin.com.