We already know the visual trick that helps with running outdoors. But, things change a bit when you head inside — boredom and fatigue tend to settle in a little more quickly. However, according to new research published in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, you have two ways to overcome that monotonous feeling: music and television.
Sure, it seems kind of obvious, and perhaps both are distractions that you’re already using. (We didn’t say they make run any easier.) The study looked at how enjoyable participants rated their stationary bike workout, even when it was really hard — riding at either a moderate or high intensity — in various auditory and visual situations; these included listening to music, watching a video of a park-like environment without sound, having both, or having neither.
Unsurprisingly, they found that music-only and music-and-video conditions were rated most enjoyable at both intensity levels. So, if you’re taking your cycling or running workouts indoors for the winter, you definitely don’t want to forget your headphones.