Hmm yeah Ive thought about this one quite a bit and gone through phases of both. Currently in a music phase, but totally see the merit of going with silence - being more in tune with your thoughts and breathing etc.
During training I definitely love music, I respond very strongly to it and feel like overall it increases my performance and output.
That said, I heard a horror story recently where a guy I know trained for a marathon with music, planned a playlist specifically to take him from start to finish, with different stages in music style etc.
But the earbuds shit the bed half way through, and he said it completely screwed his mindset at a hard point of the race.
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Thanks for sharing. I've definitely gone through phases and feel like below is how I optimize performance in different physical activities:
1. Lift in silence
2. Wrestle/practice jiujitsu with music
3. Compete without music.
That marathon music story is tragic 😭.
I can relate.
In college, I listened to hype music before I went out to compete. Think crazy house mixes and edm.
I was always more nervous and anxious than I felt I should be.
After talking to our team sport psychologist, I realized the hype music was greatly adding to the nerves/stress I felt. Resulting in a worse performance (and shot adrenals in the long-term).
Once I changed it to calm or no music (wish I remembered the playlist he gave us back then), I competed far better, felt less anxious, and overall wasn't as overwhelmed with the experience.
I could see the experience for what it was...a wrestling match in some random gym.
I do know folks who are the complete opposite tho.
Really interesting stuff 💪