Rockin' the Workout
Tags: music, mp3, ipod, rock

Rockin' the Workout I couldn't decide whether to make this a tip or a blog entry. It gets a little personal with taste in music and I've been wanting to start a blog, so here goes... I am definitely a music lover and although MP3 players haven't been around that long (relatively speaking), it's hard for me to imagine working out without my iPod attached to me. How did I ever get along without it all those years? When I first got it, I tried running with it and the earbuds kept falling out. I was thinking, "This is a freakin' hassle..." Well, it's good that I persisted and got a pair of earbuds that have small, rubbery hooks that hook the ear and keep those buds snugly in place. Now, if I don't have the iPod with me (rare), I almost dread going to the gym and having to listen to "80's, 90's, and today" pop crap on the radio. Or even worse, get caught up in conversations with those people that stand around talking more than working out. Can you tell I'm a bit of a loner? So, the point of this blog is to give some suggestions on how to fit the music to the workout, because for me it makes a huge difference. I will say that my musical baseline is metal on the slightly alternative side. I was a teenager during the hair-band 80's metal era and a little bit of that taste lingers, but I do like to explore new artists and stay current. Here are a few samples of what I listen to for any given workout: Weightlifting: Mostly aggressive base riffs, low distorted guitar chords, double-bass drums. *Metallica, anything from the early days: "Whiplash", "Hit the Lights", "The Wait", "Am I Evil", "Blitzkreig" *Disturbed, mainly from "The Sickness", but others too: "Voices", "Stupify", "Believe" *Stone Temple Pilots, anything from "Core" in fact, the whole thing *Limp Bizkit: "Break Stuff", "Rollin'" *Linkin Park, lot's of good stuff: "Hybrid Theory" (the whole thing), "Bleed It Out", "Given Up", "What I've Done" *Godsmack: anything from any album, how about "Bad Religion", "Whatever", "I Stand Alone", "Realign" *Tool: anything from "AEnima", mainly "Stinkfist", "Eulogy", "H.", "AEnima" Cardio (not running): A little faster and more upbeat. *Evanescence: "Going Under" (haha - nice for a cardio workout), "Bring Me To Life" *Incubus, mostly anything: "Nice to Know You", "Pardon Me", "Kiss to Send Us Off", "Light Grenades", "Anna Molly" *Drowning Pool: "Bodies" (who doesn't like that song?), "Sinner" *Disturbed (again): "The Game" *Godsmack (again): "Awake", "Straight Out of Line" *Iron Maiden: "Number of the Beast" (whole thing), "Wasted Years", "Flight of Icarus" Running: Believe it or not, I'm going to do a 180 here... *Fleetwood Mac (what!) yep Fleetwood Mac: pretty much anything. *Supertramp (who?): "Breakfast in America" (whole thing) *Jewel (OMG): "This Way" (whole thing), mainly "Standing Still" (ironic?), "Jesus Loves You", "Break Me", "Serve the Ego" Wow, such a drastic change on the running music. Honestly, I've found that the more aggressive music makes me want to run faster than I should and I burn out quicker. The music that I listed for running is more relaxing with steady beats that easily match the running cadence. It's easy to get lost in the music and forget about pounding the pavement. If you've read this far, I appreciate it and welcome your comments as far as what your music tastes are, what suggestions you have, etc. Most importantly, Rock On!!

on 3/5/2008

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plucky LadyLisa, I hate to say it, but I even have created playlists for specific workouts where I try to match the pace and intensity of the songs to what I'm doing. For example, I teach a cardio kickboxing class at my gym and I have a playlist that goes something like this:

5-10 min stretching: Incubus "Aqueous Transmission", "Are You In?", ...
10-15 min form/strength training: Evanescence "Going Under", "Bring Me To Life", ...
10-15 min intense cardio: Godsmack "Awake", Disturbed "The Game", Drowning Pool "Bodies", ...
5 min cool down/stretching: Incubus "Nice To Know You", "Wish You Were Here", ...

Try it sometime, it will fire up your workout!
plucky on 3/6/2008 in response to LadyLisa

plucky Rusty, oh my... I don't know what's worse: that they actually played that song in a gym, or that I watched that entire video... I'm scarred, thanks ;)
plucky on 3/6/2008 in response to Rusty

LadyLisa I love listening to music during cardio as when I workout in the basement (I don't go to the gym) but I haven't categorized like you have thats good way of doing it.
LadyLisa on 3/6/2008

crista Ok rusty thats fuuny, i have a hard time enjoying music while workout if it is through the speakers... to many distractions, i need my ipod
crista on 3/6/2008 in response to Rusty

Rusty Paul...what would be your least favorite? I was in a Gold's Gym one time and they played Hanson..."Mmmmbop". The only thing worse than the song is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk8Yo4pzhWs

Beware...I believe it is possible to lose muscle by listening to this song. It is really bad for the testosterone levels!
Rusty on 3/6/2008

Jweave GOING UNDER - Great song
Jweave on 3/6/2008

crista Music is huge for me too, I find I listen to hared music while lifting as well... i like brand new and i find when i do cardio i hit shuffle and am fine w it, but thats just me
crista on 3/6/2008

plucky Thanks :) That's me sprinting to the finish line (with iPod in hand, of course!)
plucky on 3/5/2008 in response to MsFranklin

MsFranklin That is a neat picture
MsFranklin on 3/5/2008

plucky Definitely! I like the thumping bass drums at the beginning... I feel the same way about Godsmack - I Stand Alone. When I used to fight competetively (martial arts - point sparring and kickboxing) I would listen to that before a match.
plucky on 3/5/2008 in response to ryan

ryan You gotta have Metallica - Enter Sandman included in the mix.. That song gets the blood flowing. My first boxing match that song played as I was entering the ring so it always gets me amp'd.
ryan on 3/5/2008