Workout Songs

Whether you prefer to work out to the musical selection of the day on your gym’s speakers or carry your own soundtrack at your side with an mp3 player, there is no doubt that what you listen to while training can impact your mood; and even your overall energy level. I like to have a number of strength training or cardio-specific play lists ready for any workout or mood. Personally, I get rather irritated with commercials on the radio, and I don’t much care for the unpredictability of the satellite stations they usually have on at the gym. One minute I’m jamming; the next I’m sluggishly waiting for a bad song to be over. So I carry my own library of workout songs with me.

There are some tunes I hear, and just instantly know they will make great workout songs. Anything that makes me want to dance in the car or while strolling through the grocery store is a safe bet for getting my blood pumping during a cardio workout. Of course personal taste has as much as anything to do with selecting good workout songs, but here are a few tips to help you create a solid workout mix that will make you look forward to your next trip to the gym.

There is a time and place for a slow song, but it is not in your workout mix. A good workout soundtrack should function as an accessory to enhance your workout, but should never be a hindrance. Whatever your musical preference, try to keep your workout mix upbeat from beginning to end. If you want to get really involved with ordering your workout songs, you can start off with something a little slower for a warm up, and then get into faster, more intense tracks; and something a bit lower key again for your cool down. Personally, I like the option of shuffling my workout songs, and cannot stand having to skip over a “warm up” song sometime in the middle of a 30 minute jog.

If you have computer software that analyzes your music and can tell you how many beats per minute (BPM) a song averages, it’s very easy to choose workout songs that flow well with one another based on tempo alone. Some software available for free online even lets you to do minor mixing and tempo adjustments. Anything between 140 and 160 BPM is a good bet for a cardio workout. Anything slower may well feel like it’s dragging.

Keep an open mind (and an open ear) when it comes to workout songs. Just because you prefer country music in the car doesn’t mean you should discount an upbeat techno or hip hop track as part of your gym mix. If you’re stuck or simply looking for something fresh, try taking a group exercise class. Most instructors work hard to provide their classes with great soundtracks, and may have great workout songs you would never have discovered on your own. Remember that the most important quality of a workout soundtrack is to keep you moving through whatever miles and reps the day requires. So crank it up and get moving! The gym never sounded so good.