For many people, an essential part of any exercise regime is the music that accompanies it. Whether you’re a runner, a rower, or a bodybuilder, there’s a good chance you have a favorite selection of tunes and some headphones to help you through. The right choice of music can inspire, energize and provide much needed distraction. Elite athletes of every discipline are often seen deep in thought, their ears covered by snazzy headphones in the moments ahead of a big match or race. So what is it about music that helps us to push our bodies toward or through physical discomfort? We’ve been exploring this question using a variety of scientific methods. So far, most of our focus had been on various forms of popular music, including rock, dance, hip-hop, and R&B, but recently we have been considering the benefits of classical music as an auditory aid to exercise. As a …