Why Audiobooks are Great for Walks and Runs
Audiobooks provide a great way to fit more books into your daily life. They are relatively inexpensive compared to physical books and can be listened to almost anywhere. This makes them a great companion for your workouts. We explain why you should consider listening to an audiobook during your next walk or run.
They Allow You to Multitask
The beauty about walking and running is that they don't require much brain power. Once you’ve convinced yourself to start moving, your mind is free to focus on other things. If you combine these workouts with an audiobook, you can meet your daily workout goal while stimulating your mind. This is a perfect opportunity for busy people who wish they had more time to read. For avid readers, this is a great way to squeeze in another book.
They Serve as Great Distractions
If, on the other hand, you spend your walk or run thinking about how much you hate working out, audiobooks can provide an excellent distraction. Make sure to choose a captivating and engaging book. This may take a couple of tries, because listening to a book and reading one are different experiences.
Warning: some books are meant to be read. You’ll know if you constantly find yourself wanting to take notes or pausing to mull over an idea. This is fine if you’re out for a walk and can easily pull out your phone; it gets a little trickier if you’re running.
They Provide Motivation
If you need extra motivation to complete your walk or run, self-development audiobooks are a good option. Some include tips on improving your habits or tout the benefits of physical activity. It will feel good to begin implementing some of those changes instantaneously by completing your walk or pushing yourself to go farther.
Once you find a good audiobook, you may discover that it pushes you to extend your workout so you can finish one more chapter, find out what happens to a certain character, or complete the book.You will feel less inclined to skip a day because you’ll have something interesting to look forward to.
Getting Started
If you’re new to audiobooks and want to give them a try, below are some suggested audiobook services:
Audible
The leader in the audiobook industry, Audible provides you with 1 audiobook per month, along with free Audible Originals. They feature exclusive guided wellness programs and offer a 30 day free trial. The app is available on almost any device and pairs with your Apple Watch.
(Price: $14.95 per month)
Tip: If you’re a Kindle reader, you can often buy the Audible version along with the Kindle version for a significantly reduced rate.
Audiobooks.com
This subscription service provides customers with a 30 day free trial that includes 3 free audiobooks. After the trial, Audiobooks.com gives you access to 1 premium and 1 VIP audiobook, along with various discounts. The app is available for both iOS and Android.
(Price: $14.95 per month)
Libby
Libby is a library loaning app that allows you to check out ebooks and audiobooks from your local public library. You can listen to your books on the Libby app or send them to your Kindle app. However, as with real libraries, your loan expires in two weeks and you will occasionally have to place holds on certain titles.
(Price: Free)