Turns out, you can actually work *harder* the more senses you engage. It’s hard to imagine a group fitness class that doesn’t involve a mood-boosting, carefully curated playlist. And over the past few years, gyms across the country and abroad have started experimenting with elements that stimulate not just your ears but all five senses.
And it might be just a matter of time before a way more immersive experience—including live music, scented essential oils, and videos that transport you to different locales—becomes nearly as common as a badass soundtrack.
At Sweat & Sound in London, for instance, a HIIT workout might include a secret treasure hunt in the woods. Or the studio might offer a yoga class that includes a meditation—set to live orchestra music in a candlelit church.