Workout Music To Move Your Body

While some people enjoy working out, unfortunately, others don’t share this love.  Although we all know the importance of working out regularly, the reality is that for some, going to the gym or getting on that treadmill can be a challenge.  So, how can you make your fitness program more fun and entertaining?

While some people choose to read or watch tv during their workouts, others prefer to sweat to the groove – by listening to music on their iPods or walkman.  Music is a great motivator and it is no accident that most fitness classes such as step or aerobics play fast, engaging and loud music.

Music has been proven time and time again to stimulate our brains and touch our emotions and engages us on a different level – making harder activities such as running, walking on a treadmill, biking and step aerobics more bearable and if not fun, at least, doable.

If you are someone who hates the gym and needs extra motivation to get on that treadmill and start sweating, then consider loading your iPod with songs that have a quick beat and that you enjoy.  Disco music from the 70’s and early 80’s works well here.  Its always more fun to sing along with the music and you will soon find that your body automatically starts moving with the beat!

Timing your set of songs on the iPod is also a great idea.  Since you should start a workout with some stretching exercises – you should have one or two slower songs on your playlist that you can use for the beginning of your workout, gradually increase both the rhythm of your workout and the music as you engage into the “main” part of the program and continue with this type of upbeat music for at least 20 minutes minimum.  Finally, for the cooling down period, load your iPod with the appropriate slower songs.

You can even time your workouts based entirely on your music playlist.

One word of caution, using sad songs or songs that somehow remind you of bad events is not a good idea – the point of using music during your workout is to get the endorphins going – you want to feel happy and satisfied at the end of your workout (not to mention sweaty!) so you don’t want to be bogged down by sad memories associated to those songs.

A few suggestions of songs to load on your iPod:

Harder

• Even Flow by Pearl Jam
• Forty Six & 2 by Tool
• Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine
• Toxicity by System Of A Down
• Another Brick In The Wall (Parts 1,2,3) by Korn
• I Alone By Live

Faster

• L. Kubic – Voyager  – pumpin’ grooving dance track with funky vocal loop
• Depeche Mode – A Pain That I’m Used To – Jacques Lu Cont Remix
• Sydney Blu – Give It Up For Me
• Kelley Polar – Entropy Reigns – Ewan Pearson Remix
• Gui Boratto – Mr. Decay Robert Babicz Remix
• Fat Boy Slim – Star 69

Go ahead and get to that workout now, but make sure you and your iPod are fully equipped!