When I first started seriously working out way back in March 2016, I worked out in silence. Since I was in the company gym all by myself, I really didn't need any music and just did my thing; however, I couldn't figure out why it was so hard to get through it and seemed to take much longer than it really did. When I went to the trainer each week, it seemed to go by really fast. I assumed it was because I had a person to interact with. One day I decided to play some music I'd downloaded onto my phone and it was a light bulb moment: my workout went by much faster and I wasn't bored. I came to realize that I enjoyed having music while working out. I also came to realize that, in addition to the lack of music making my workout feel longer, I spent a lot of time bitching and moaning to myself in between sets, which made my workout actually be longer. Once I got the music going and adopted the attitude of, "Just suck it up and get it over with," things got much easier and more efficient in the gym.
About six months ago I decided to try the Pandora music app on my phone since I was bored of the music on my phone, and it was a pain to have to keep adding music while connected to my computer at home. My trainer uses it for his clients and he always plays the Hard Rock Strength Training station for me. I found that I liked a lot of the music, so I decided to give it a try myself. It's about $10.00 a month, which is the Pandora Premium subscription (I can play it in my car, too), although you can get the free version if you don't want to pay for it. It just means some of the functionality is limited and there are ads.
For awhile I played the Hard Rock Strength Training station and found that I kept playing the same songs when I worked out (they show up in the Recent list for easy access). I then eventually figured out that I could make my own custom playlists--I was a little slow on the uptake there--and that's been great for me. I promptly made a workout playlist, which I use everyday when I work out on my own.
This is my main playlist:
- 'Till I Collapse by Eminem
- Feel Invincible by Skillet
- Not Afraid by Eminem
- State of My Head by Shinedown
- Jekyll and Hyde by Five Finger Death Punch
- Closer by Nine Inch Nails
- Dead but Rising by Volbeat
- Remember the Name by Fort Minor
- Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit
- Wild Side by Motley Crue
The list probably looks a bit short, but that's because I typically walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes and read a book when I workout in the gym at work. And the reason for the walking, rather than what the trainer has me do (jogging in place, jumping jacks and mountain climbers), is that I sit at a desk all day and really need the walking to loosen my back and leg muscles.
Other music on the playlist, which I sometimes play if I want to switch it up:
- Still Counting by Volbeat
- Back in Black by AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Rosie by AC/DC
- Bleed it Out by Linkin Park (this is great for warming up)
- Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A. (never heard this one until someone on a forum I read suggested it)
- Black Rose by Volbeat
- And many more, most of which is Volbeat, Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed and AC/DC
I've also made a few playlists that I can use when I see the trainer since the studio has a wireless speaker. My custom playlist was a lifesaver in the studio this past week when I was getting over a cold and needed something especially fast-paced for my warm-up (he makes me jog in place, and do jumping jacks and mountain climbers).
So what's on your workout playlist? What song do you absolutely have to play every time, either because it gets the blood flowing or it means something to you? For me it's 'Till I Collapse by Eminem. Not only do I like the beat, which works well for the type of workout I do, but I like the lyrics. I think the first part says it all and can apply to so many things in life.
'Cause sometimes you just feel tired, feel weak
And when you feel weak
You feel like you wanna just give up
But you gotta search within you
Tryna find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you
And get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall
Flat on your face and collapse
I love the old school techno stuff for home workouts. My most favourite song that will always get me moving is "Guru Josh Project - Infinity (Ultra Music)". The playlist we have for the car was taken to work by The Other Half and he plays it all day there, and when I get to work at his desk I really get shizzle done fast.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there are times when I do not get to work there and I have to work out in the store where not only do they play the most annoying screamy music but quite often there will be several sound streams happening. I can't handle it when the streams are crossed. I also find the annoying screamy music playing in my head while I am trying to sleep. I have no idea who the artists are or what the songs are called, and I think that is probably a good thing.
When I am out walking and running, I do not like to have music playing because I like to have situational awareness. Usually on the way there I will have been listening to Take That in the car, and I will continue listening to them in my skull brain, where they conveniently play for me when I am away from a sound source. They are good like that. :)
I have now had one cd in my car since April 2017 when I found out I was going to the Take That concert, it is 100% TT songs and I love it. I gave the same cd to my Mother, and she has been playing it in her car ever since, she won't change it even though she does not know some of the newer songs. ;) We are loyal fans.
I do expect to be enjoying some Queen in the month of November once the Rami Malek movie is released. My nail salon was playing some Queen tracks I had not heard in a long time and their music is just so good. I might have to make a Queen cd. :) But of course I will hide some TT in there too. That is how I roll.