A Comparative Study on Exercise Performance with and without Music Among Students of Mahavir Mahavidyalaya, Kolhapur

We’ve all had those days where the walk to the gym feels longer than the actual workout. Between back-to-back classes and the weight of upcoming deadlines, exercise can easily feel like just another thing on a never-ending to-do list. But there’s a reason we instinctively reach for our headphones. Whether it’s that one song that gets you through the final, grueling mile or a playlist that turns a boring circuit into a release, music is often the only thing that transforms a workout from a 'should-do' into something we actually want to do. This study set out to answer just that. We compared the workout performance of 50 college students aged 19-23 half exercising with upbeat music, and half without. We tracked how long they worked out, how many push-ups they did, their heart rate, and how difficult the exercise felt. As it turns out, that playlist does a lot more than just fill the silence. Students with music exercised nearly 3.5 minutes longer, did about 9 more push-ups, and maintained a higher heart rate all while reporting that the workout felt easier. It turns out that music isn’t just a nice-to-have; it can help you go harder, last longer, and feel better doing it. So, if you’ve ever relied on a playlist to get through a workout, you’re onto something. For students looking to stay active without burning out, music might just be the simplest, most enjoyable tool there is.