This summer marks the 13th anniversary of a blog post I wrote about a gym preference of mine. Back in August of 2013, I made it very clear that when I am working out, I don’t listen to a personal music device. Instead, as I said then, my thoughts are my music.

Thirteen years later, music technology has increased tremendously. Even though the ipods offered back in 2013 were pretty slick, the earbud applications offered today via Bluetooth activation provide a rich and non-invasive music experience that allow gym-goers to exercise without even sensing equipment attached to them.

Have the tech advances changed my personal choice of not using a music device when working out? Hardly!

13 years later I still don’t listen to music at the gym. I cherish the time I have to contemplate my thoughts when I am working out at the Snap Fitness at Ponderosa Village in the Spokane Valley.

My favorite songs could be sent seamlessly into my head via top-secret government technology and I would still opt out. Because as I alluded to above, it has never been about the ease of listening to music—it has always been about taking advantage of the time with my own thoughts (nobody else’s lyrics needed).

Despite cycling through at least five different gyms over the past 13 years, my partiality toward silence has remained the same at each stop. Simply, while pumping iron and hitting the cardio, I get lost in my own thoughts sans any music.

There is no doubt about it, my best thinking comes between 3:30 a.m. – 5 a.m. each morning while exercising. I anticipate the upcoming day at work, rehearse presentations, figure out how to support my wife/kids that week, plan the weekend, brainstorm blog ideas, and pray.

After my first 10 minutes in the gym, my brain activity is firing on all cylinders. An inner-dialogue plays out as I take care of as much mentally as I possibly can. Progress is always made.

And I think that is why I have remained so dedicated to the gym since the start of high school. The physical benefits are one thing, but the mental well-being I receive is invaluable.

Why let music interfere?

If you ever encounter me at the gym (set your alarm clock early), chances are that I will be deep in thought. However, don’t let that stop you from saying “hi”—the best thing about not wearing earbuds is that I can hear every word. Don’t Blink.