How do I remove music from the podcasts?

[Leah_K]

Hope everyone is having success with Couch to 5K!

Would anyone know how to download/ remove the background music from the podcasts?

Thank you!

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi   Leah_K , welcome! As far as I know you can't remove the music from the podcasts. However, the app lets you use your choice of music. It looks like you're in the UK, so using the app should work for you.

Podcast and app download links are here - nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/r... - you just need to scroll further down the page for the app download links.

Do have a look at the C25K programme guide too, for lots of useful information. You'll find it here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[CBDB Graduate]

As Cmoi mentioned, there are two different ways to experience the audio version of Couch to 5k:

a) the podcast with Laura speaking and music underneath. This cannot be removed.

b) the smartphone app (NHS and BBC). You have a choice of voices. No music, although you can use your own choice of music via Spotify or other music services.

There are many other C25k apps on the AppStore, so make sure you have the above one.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

As others have pointed out, if you use the app presentation of the NHS programme there's no music supplied with it. There are advantages and disadvantages to choosing either the podcast or the app presentation.

The podcast version is more technologically stable and the coaching is done by Laura who had the idea of bringing C25K to the NHS and did the programme herself (she used to participate in this forum) Not all (?any) of the celebrity coaches have actually done the programme themselves (I gather you can at least now choose to have Laura as your coach for the app too) but there are people who will bristle at some sorts of voice telling them what to do, so what suits may vary.

Having a backing track can be helpful so that you are not listening to yourself huffing and puffing and flapping your feet down in the early stages when you are most likely to be self-conscious.

A mistake that many people make is thinking of the backing as 'music' and deciding they do or don't like it. This is a backing track for getting off the couch, not what you'd necessarily enjoy whilst on it and it is subtly tailored to what you are being asked to do at particular points (although I have no idea what the excuse for "You and Julie" might be - other than creating a bond between forum members). You also don't spend ages faffing about perfecting your playlist... and not getting out there or doing something else towards your health.

For some of us, the carrot of being able to choose our own accompaniment (or none!) *after* graduation can be a real help. There were certainly one or two times when not wanting to hear a particular track again (if I had to do an extra session) was what made the difference between me stopping/walking prematurely.

It's certainly worthwhile finding a way to listen without having both ears covered, for safety reasons (and I would say so you can also hear nature) But all in all, doing C25K is often a matter of getting over yourself in some way or other...

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Julie was the only podcast music I actually rather liked and can still remember! Evidently a foretaste of my weird running preferences 😜

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I would absolutely hate running with music I didn’t enjoy. Having something to listen to that I like is really important to me. Hoping you can find a way to make the app work with something you like or you can grin and bear it until you’re a graduate. It’s worth it! Perhaps the no music podcast version might suit better if you’re like me?

I’ve never heard this “Julie” song but I feel I should look it up…

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Truly, I've had enough of you and Julie,  MissUnderstanding ! Here you go: youtube.com/watch?v=yLDsyQj...(Not working as expected?)

(Also, just noticed: I think you meant grin and bear the podcasts? It's the app that's music-free, there isn't a no-music podcast.)

[Leah_K in reply to Cmoi]

OK thank you all for yuor help!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

I have decided to respond in song…

🎶Thank you for the music, the song they’re singing.

Not sure how much joy it’s bringing.

We could live without it, I say in all honesty,

Without Julie,

We’d like good songs and some nice music please

Or maybe take away the music, and bring some joy to me!🎶

You’re right, I managed to say the opposite of what I meant in my post. I blame lack of coffee. Grin and bear the dodgy music, or get the app working for no/better music is what I was hoping  Leah_K will be able to achieve. Good luck Leah!

[Leah_K in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks!😀