People are often looking for the latest and most effective workouts, but even the best ones can be difficult to stick with. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 31 percent of adults participate in a regular leisure-time physical activity.

Recent studies, however, show music can help increase motivation and adherence to everyday exercises.

According to an article on LiveScience.com, Costas Karageorghis, sports psychologist at Britain's Brunel University, said rhythm response and musicality both can have effects on a person's workout.

Teri Holmberg, instructor and music therapist at K-State, said music can help people stay motivated during a workout. She said if someone wants to maintain a certain level of intensity, they should pair their workouts with music.

"The tempo can influence and help you keep pace," Holmberg said.

Many people who work out at Peters Recreation Complex said listening to music during workouts is a vital part of their routine. Some people said they use music to help them stay pumped up and to decrease or increase the intensity of their workout.

"If I don't bring music I get bored," said Lauren Simpson, sophomore in secondary education.

Simpson said she listens mainly to rap and techno music when she works out — anything with a fast beat.

Other people at the gym said they listen to music as a distraction from their exercises.

Tony Toubia, senior in marketing, said he finds workouts to be terrible and boring when he forgets to bring music. Music keeps his mind distracted from the exercises and makes the time seem to go faster, he said.

Melinda Daniels, assistant professor in geography, said she becomes more tired when she does not listen to music and has to focus more on the effort she puts into her workout.

Karageorghis' studies showed an increase in endurance of up to 15 percent when people listened to music while exercising.

On a deeper lever, Holmberg said the structure of music can influence its entertainment value for different individuals. People are attracted to the different rhythmical structures within music.

"If you're listening to enjoyable music, it's a distraction and motivation," she said.

According to the American Music Therapy Association, music can also be a source for alleviating pain.

"Psychologically, if you listen to music, it can be an analgesic sensory experience," Holmberg said.

Integrating this exercise technique into everyday workouts has become a reality with new and innovative technologies. Devices like iPods and MP3 players make it easier for people to organize music and create playlists specific to their workouts.