The rhythm and tempo from a song or playlist infuses energy into exercise sets and combinations. Music created for fitness uses beats and phrases as rhythmic building blocks to provide a consistent sound. The musical beat is the regular pulse that gives a song a sense of cadence and structure. Beats are arranged into even 8-count phrases. The 8-count phrases are then organized into 32-count phrases. This helps instructors teach a consistent movement pattern to a group of people.
Understanding the basic concept of group fitness music design allows an instructor to explore a variety of rhythmic patterns. Effectively utilizing various speeds and tempos improves cardiovascular strength, muscular endurance and skill-related fitness components. Music can also extend the life of your choreography. A basic step such as walking in place or a biceps curl can be practiced in numerous ways just by altering the rhythmic pattern and speed variations, increasing what can be done in an exercise combination or movement pattern.
The first step in learning to teach movement to music is the ability to identify the downbeat. For many, this is a very simple and basic step. When layered with hearing the phrases and cueing and class observation, it can be easy to get off the beat of the music. This happens to even the most experienced instructors. Learning to get back on the beat and the phrase is a skill that will improve your overall delivery.
Music Terms:
Downbeat: The stronger pulsation in music that creates an even rhythm
Upbeat: The weaker pulsations that immediately follow the downbeat
Rhythm: A strong, regular, repeated pattern of sound
Pitch: Defines a tone in relation to others, lower or higher in frequency
Melody: A combination of pitch and rhythm creating a sequence of notes that is musically satisfying
Tempo: The rate of speed of a musical piece
(All music used for the drills in this training is set at 126 BPM.)
Practice hearing the downbeat.
Practice hearing the 32-count phrase with a cardio block.
Practice identifying the 8-count phrase within the 32-count phrase of a cardio block.
When teaching strength exercises using resistance tools, the movement is often performed at half-time, or a slower tempo, to reduce the risk of injury. In the following drills we will practice hearing the 32-count phrases and the 8-count phrases while performing the strength exercises at half tempo.
Practice hearing the 32-count phrase within a strength block.
Practice identifying the 8-count phrase within the 32-count phrase of a strength block.
Does it matter if exercise and movement blocks are taught to the beat and phrase? The short answer is yes! The first lesson discussed the growing body of research that suggests how music directly affects motivation. Connecting music to movement and including rhythmic variations can have a positive effect on improving motor skills for their older adult participants.
The following video demonstrates an example of music used for background only vs. music used to enhance the workout.
Teaching with awareness of the music allows the instructor to slow down and work at a more consistent pace. Cueing for movement changes using the music provides smoother transitions. Teaching the movement to the music makes it easier for the class to stay together while allowing individuals to progress the exercise for a personal challenge
Instructor tip: Beginning each movement or exercise on the first beat of an 8-count or 32-count phrase will enhance your choreography and motivate your class. Moving to the beat and transitioning with the phrase “feels” right.