For many in Thailand, it’s nearly unthinkable to exercise without a pumping playlist or soothing tunes to set the mood, whether at a bustling Bangkok gym, a local park jog, or a home-based workout session. The intertwining of music and movement, however, is far from a modern phenomenon. As recent historical research reported by The Conversation reveals, the ancient Greeks and Romans were just as keen on combining exercise and music—perhaps giving new meaning to the phrase, “old habits die hard” (The Conversation).
This fresh look at the origins of our exercise soundtracks invites us to consider why music accompanies physical activity, what the ancients understood about this partnership long before scientific studies, and how these insights connect with contemporary Thai and global fitness culture.
The widespread habit of plugging in earbuds before working out fits seamlessly with today’s digital lifestyle. Science backs up the practice: according to a 2020 meta-analysis, participants reported improved physical performance, reduced perceived effort, and even better breathing when listening to music during exercise, outcomes attributed to music’s ability to distract from fatigue, regulate movement rhythms, and stimulate positive emotions Frontiers in Psychology. Yet, as the new article details, this ritual of using music to enhance physical exertion is over 2,000 years old.
Ancient Greek and Roman societies embedded music deeply into everyday life, with gymnasia—a combination of modern fitness centre and social club—echoing not just with shouts, but also with the sounds of musicians playing the aulos, a double-piped wind instrument, or singers synchronizing their vocals to exercise. The Greek writer Dio Chrysostom, in his oration “To the People of Alexandria” (c. 40-110 CE), observed that “everything is done to music… people will presently go so far as to use song to accompany their exercise in the gymnasium.” Vase paintings from as far back as the 5th century BCE depict athletes training to live music, confirming that this wasn’t just literary exaggeration but an established cultural practice (The Conversation).
The rationale behind this confluence was clear even for ancient philosophers and physicians. The Athenian Philostratus, author of an early book on gymnastics, argued that music could stimulate athletes, improve their performance, and instil discipline. Plutarch noted music’s role among wrestlers and other competitors, while Socrates—a revered figure in the annals of philosophy—was said to regularly dance for health, embodying a holistic view of fitness that recognizes body and mind unity. Dancing was considered both a gymnastic endeavor and a vehicle for health, a stance mirrored in Thailand’s own vibrant dance-based exercise classes, from ram wong (traditional circle dance) to contemporary Zumba.
Women, too, were known to sing as they played ball games, as immortalized in Homer’s “Odyssey.” Ancient soldiers matched their exercises and marching rhythms to the sounds of trumpets, an early demonstration of how music can keep a group coordinated and motivated. Today’s fitness classes in Thailand—whether at elite Bangkok clubs or community rec centres in Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen—rely on carefully chosen musical tracks to synchronize movement and enhance group cohesion, echoing this ancient heritage.
It wasn’t just about fun or distraction—the Greeks and Romans pursued balance between physical and mental discipline. The physician Galen advocated exercises, like ball games, that strengthened the entire body evenly and warned against both excessive focus on a single muscle group (“don’t skip leg day,” as modern trainers put it) and musical overindulgence. Plato, another giant of Western philosophy, went so far as to propose censorship of music that was “too passionate,” arguing that only simple tunes should be permitted, lest citizens be swept up in emotion and lose their sense of moderation.
These ancient philosophical debates continue to have resonance in contemporary Thailand, where concerns about overexposure to media, discipline in sports, and the role of tradition versus innovation animate public discussions on fitness and youth wellbeing. For example, the Ministry of Public Health and Department of Physical Education have called for a balanced approach to children’s sport, mirroring Galen’s warnings about holistic development and avoiding single-sport overspecialization Department of Physical Education, Thailand.
Modern science has validated many ancient ideas. PubMed-listed research shows that music’s impact on exercise includes improved motivation, better coordination, and enhanced enjoyment—critical factors in building lifelong fitness habits (PMC6295048). Thai researchers have also begun to document these benefits, with studies from local universities exploring how traditional music incorporated into group exercise increases participation rates among older adults and boosts mood, countering loneliness and depression (Thai Journal of Nursing Research).
From a cultural standpoint, the integration of music and movement is deeply rooted in Thai society. Ram muay, the ceremonial dance boxers perform before Muay Thai fights, not only warms up the body but also prepares athletes mentally and emotionally—underscoring, as in antiquity, that physical exertion is as much about harmony and spirit as it is about strength. Children across the country learn movement through folk songs and school PE classes, primed to experience exercise as a multisensory event.
For today’s Thai athletes and fitness enthusiasts, the lesson is clear: music is more than just accompaniment. It is a tool, tradition, motivator, and form of self-expression. Yet, the ancients’ warnings against excess—whether in exercise or music overconsumption—are also relevant. Health authorities like the World Health Organization and the Thai Branch of the International Federation of Sports Medicine remind us that balance, moderation, and holistic development are essential for health and longevity (WHO guidelines).
Looking ahead, the intersection of technology, music, and movement only grows richer. Fitness platforms and streaming services enable more personalized exercise soundtracks, while public health campaigns can leverage the motivational power of culturally familiar music to boost participation among children, the elderly, and at-risk groups. Educators and sports trainers should heed the ancient message: foster environments where movement and music are used mindfully, promoting harmony of mind and body.
For Thai readers inspired by this long lineage, the next workout could be an opportunity to tap into an enduring legacy. Consider integrating traditional Thai melodies or modern anthems to invigorate your exercise routine, remembering that this gesture links you across millennia to athletes and thinkers who prized both health and harmony. For parents and educators, promoting movement accompanied by music is not just an act of enjoyment—it’s a proven way to enhance both body and spirit, as ancient wisdom and modern science now agree.
Sources: The Conversation, Frontiers in Psychology, Department of Physical Education, Thailand, PMC6295048, Thai Journal of Nursing Research, World Health Organization.