Benefits of Running With Music

It has been a long-running debate among runners whether or not it is good to listen to music while running. So let us set aside this debate and really ask the question, “What is it about music?”

Running purists argue that listening to music while running can distract the runner from his or her surroundings: oncoming traffic, other runners, animals, or uneven ground or obstacles. But then, sometimes it’s those “distractions” that make music so appealing while running. Would you rather be in tune with all those or in tune with an up-beat track?

If you are one of those non-“hard core” runners; who just runs for health and fitness and not really for competitive training but are also concerned with safety issues of outdoor running, then a good alternative for you would be setting up a treadmill and installing an in-ceiling radio in your home. This way you can enjoy the benefits of running while enjoying your favorite tunes.

But if you are a competitive runner, having music while running can help take your mind off the fact that you’ve been running for two hours and you’ve still got an hour to go. Marathon training involves long and often tedious runs, so anything that helps you pass those hours, decreasing the mental pressure, is a good thing.

Music can also serve as a great motivator. There are people who put together running playlists customized to their trail and/or running routine. They arrange the songs in such a way that certain songs “kick in” at specific points during the run. A more technical choice would be to select tracks by their beats per minute (BPM); the idea is you’d want faster tracks to help you pick up your pace, which is ideal for short-distance runs. While slower tracks are recommended for marathons, where you need to sustain a steady pace for a few hours.

Although music has many benefits it is also important not to get too wrapped up in the “music video moments” that running with your favorite playlist creates. Runners still shouldn’t neglect the fact that they are running through an intersection or past wildlife preservation area. We are all primarily responsible for our own well-being.

How To Mount Your In Ceiling Speakers Inside Your Office Space

If your office space is small and you are a minimalist type of person, in ceiling speakers and in ceiling radios are just right for you.  Choosing the right type of speakers mounted inside your ceiling or walls can save you more space for other office gadgets or equipment that you might want to have inside your workspace.

Aside from the benefit of having more space with the luxury of listening to good music, in ceiling speakers are clutter free.  Who would want wires laying around the room and eventually accumulating dust, which can really be an eye sore?  Another advantage is that you can use these speakers as output for your iTunes music coming from your Mac, iPod or iPad.  You can also set an alarm clock using the apps in your iPhone to wake you up after having that 15-minute power nap. 

Choosing the right type of speakers and installing it as it should be can add room-filling sound that's as discreet as it is luxuriant and energetic. Here's how to install in-ceiling speakers inside your office.

1.     Before the actual installation and drilling happens, make sure that you determine your requirements.  How you intend to use the speakers will definitely help you start right.  Go online for other references on how to get the best sound out of your speakers.

2.     Read the manual that comes with the box.  They would usually include instruction manual on how to mount your in ceiling speakers.  If there is none, well read on.

3.     Select where to mount those speakers.  Do you want it directly above you or on both ends?  Once you determine the location, get a pen and mark those spots.  Get a measuring tape and measure the size of the speakers.  Make sure that speakers are also evenly positioned around the room.

4.     Use a stud finder to make sure that you don’t cut any joists along the way.  If the marked locations of the speakers are in that same spot as the joist, make the necessary adjustments.  Just make sure that speakers are still evenly situated to enjoy quality sound.

5.     Once location is final, get the template on how to cut the ceiling that will fit the speaker.  Drill a small hole in the center of the sketch.  This hole will be your starting point, get the saw and start cutting the ceiling.

6.     After creating the hole, prepare the wires that will connect the speakers and the amplifier and the AirPort Express.  Make sure that you cut the wires according to the length that it would require.  It’s better to exceed than to cutting it short.

7.     Prepare the amplifier and your AirPort Express. 

8.     Connect your wires to their respective left and right positions on your amp.  Attach your AUX cable to the AirPort Express' AUX output and the two RCA plugs to your amplifier’s INPUT.

9.     Set up your AirPort Express.  Check the Internet for a separate process on how to do it.  After setting it up, you can now start enjoying your music in your iTunes inside your office.

In ceiling speakers are the best solution for small spaces without losing the quality of your audio.  Get one now!