Introduction: aerobic dancing, a popular form of physical activity, is a popular way for students to maintain fitness and well-being. Objectives: this study aims is to investigates the influence of music listening habits on exercise performance, explores the psychological effects of music on physical fitness, analyzes individual differences in music preferences, and determines the physical fitness outcomes of incorporating music into exercise routines among selected students. Methods: this study applied the mixed-methods approach using an embedded research design. The researcher specifically used questionnaires, interview guide questions, and observations and purposefully selected participants. The participants were 27 fourth- and third-year major students from Mindanao State University's College of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation, enrolled in PPE 137 (Strength Training and Conditioning). Researchers processed the data using frequency counts and percentages from the questionnaire and derived themes from the interview guide questions. Results. the results showed that most respondents were females (65,00 %), aged 22 to 23 years (60,00 %), and that listening to music during physical activity was sometimes (50,00 %). The type of music listened to during physical activity was "fast-paced/energetic" (60,00 %), and that listening to music enhanced exercise performance (40,00 %). The importance of music as a motivational tool for physical fitness routine (40,00 %) was found to be extremely important (40,00 %), and that the type of music that impacts physical fitness was "yes" (100 %). While the theme generated from the participants was Creating Engaging Experiences, with sub-themes including energizing, exciting, mood-setting, improving accessibility, and supporting the creation and planning of workout routines through music integration