Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: 

          I am writing to express a grievance regarding the prohibition of earbuds in the Loucks Field House Power-Rack room—a new policy established at the beginning of this year. 

          The primary downside of this policy is that, in order to listen to music within the room, students must share a communal speaker, and everyone engaging in barbell exercises must listen to the music preferences of a single student. An inherent problem arises from the very diverse music tastes among the student body with preferences ranging from rap, pop, country, classical, and many other genres. 

          Personally, I have experienced a decrease in motivation when forced to listen to music that does not resonate with me. This negative sentiment is not unique to my experience: many students hold a deep dissatisfaction with the current policy. As expressed by numerous athletes, the restrictive nature of the policy hinders the overall workout experience for many students and has little justification for its enforcement. As for the policy acting as a safety measure, the current environment of loud music has more adverse effects on proper communication, as the music is often much louder than what is played though earbuds.        

          Current research published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology indicates that exercising to non-preferred music may adversely affect performance, while listening to preferred music can enhance motivation and exercise volume. These factors are critical to exercising in the weight room, as improving athletic performance is the primary goal of many students. 

          My passion for the weight room grew immensely during my II Form year, transforming it from a place I avoided to a space where I can truly feel myself. I believe that allowing the use of earbuds again can contribute to a more inclusive and positive environment, accommodating the diverse music preferences of our student athletes. By allowing students to listen to their preferred music, we can celebrate our individuality in the pursuit of athletic excellence. 

          I urge anyone reading this letter to talk to members of the athletic department about  reconsidering and, ideally, revising the current policy. This change has the potential to make the weight room a more welcoming and enjoyable space for all students.