What is your favorite music to work out to?

[JuliaB]

Hi folks,

I have my tried-and-true playlists for the gym, but could use some new suggestions. What do you run/walk/bike/stretch/lift weights to?

My first tips: For cardio, the speed needs to be a bit higher, but I don't worry too much about the beats per minute, instead focusing on an upbeat, happy sound to keep me going through that twenty-first minute when I'd REALLY like to bail out. I love "Mi Swing es tropical", by Quantic and Nicodemus (it was used a few years ago for an iPod commercial). For my weights circuit, I love listening to the Doors. I especially like "Five to One", for its slight edge of aggression, which helps me think "yeah, I'm tough, I can do this!". For stretching out after, I tend to like more instrumental music, but still something modern. Something that reminds me to untense my muscles and relax. "Unspoken" by A.M. Architect is particularly good for this.

OK, hope you've enjoyed my tips. Now post yours! 🙂

[Christina]

If I am going for distance, I prefer audio books or listening to sermons.  I tend to go longer with them than music 🙂

[PastaLuver14]

I am more into R&B, rap and sometimes pop during my workouts. It has to be kinda fast pace and must be upbeat. That song "Love Somebody" by Maroon 5 I love right now .

[JuliaB]

Christina - I totally agree with the audiobook suggestion for long walks. I especially like mysteries, since I want to know what happens next and will keep walking to find out!  I've really enjoyed the series of Fethering mysteries from Simon Brett. More of an Agatha Christie-type mystery (nothing gory) with some humor mixed in. I have issues with my knees, so I go more for distance than for pace with walking. In the gym, though, I usually use the elliptical machine, and I've noticed I tend to slow down quite a bit with anything spoken. 

[SunsetRunner]

I prefer slow jazz, nothing like some Kenny G to get me in the mood to run 5 miles 

But in all honesty, I used to listen to mostly 90's music from when I was in high school during my runs.  Now I find I like the quiet of just running without any music.  That and I got into trail running so there is something calming and rejuvenating about running through the woods with no sound.

[MarcW]

I use the one hour workouts posted on MotionTraxx.com You can pick the Beats Per Minute mix that fits your walking, jogging or running pace, download it (for free!) and put it on whatever type of player that you use. Another great website for this type of music workouts - which is also free - is Podrunner.com  - Again they have one hour mixes set to specific Beats per Minute so you can  pick your speed, download & go for it!

[Fit-Rico-Bit]

When I'm running or lifting weights I like to listen to some dubstep/hiphop.   Levels by Avicii, Summit by Skrillex, and If I cant by 50 are my power songs.

But when I'm warming up/stretching/cooling down I like chill music like Island music/reggae.

[SunsetRunner]

i listen to my justin timberlake pandora station, and can I tell you, Pusher Love Girl got me pretty pumped! not to mention it was 8 minutes long and my workout was 1/3 of the way over by the time the song ended.

[JuliaB]

I'm not otherwise really big on Justin Timberlake, but his stuff works really well for workouts.  

[JuliaB]

dkewatson: I agree, sometimes silence is definitely golden. I used to really enjoy swimming laps (freestyle) for the quiet, meditative aspect of it. It was as though the part of my brain that was taken up concentrating on my form and my breathing took up just enough energy to calm the rest of my head down. I was able to do some of my best thinking in the pool. 🙂 Unfortunately, I no longer have a good pool for that nearby. The gym I go to is a Y, and while I otherwise love it, the pool is a little TOO family-friendly for meditative swimming. 😛

[PNewmanTx]

I have a workout playlist on my MP3 player, and change it every so often. I generally prefer "high energy" type music. Right now, here is a sampling of what's on there. As you'll see, it's pretty.....eclectic.....to say the least. 

A selection of military running cadences, or "jodies" (You can find these on YouTube)
It's Tricky - Run DMC
Centerfield - John Fogerty
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Gangnam Style - Psy
The Auctioneer - Leroy Van **ahem**
Dominique - Debbie Reynolds (Yep, I first heard this on American Horror Story, although this is the English version)
Down Down Down - The Expendables
Up Up Up - The Givers
Lucy the Diver's Widow - The Barefoot Man
The Well Equipped Diver - The Barefoot Man
The Cup of Life (Spanglish) - Ricky Martin
Who Let the Dogs Out - Baha Men
Two Princes - Spin Doctors

There are a few others, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.

[Kristee]

Dubstep, rock and roll, heavy metal, death metal, upbeat pop songs.

My favorite song when I get to where I want to give up in the middle of the work out is Manic Bloom's Never Back Down." Gets me back to going.

[Kristee]

Check out Nero Bassnectar and Skrillex for dubstep music which is super powered get you moving shake your booty type music.

[ac7ss]

Daft punk, much of it is 123.4 bpm. (a couple of samples off of the Discovery album) Took 2 minutes off of my walking mile.
I am planning on making a couple of long mix tracks to put in one playlist. with the tempo increasing on each track. If I need to speed up, next track, slow down, prior track...

[LaTonya]

I like workout podcasts.  My go to is Motiontraxx.  Not workout, but podcasts- Deep House Cat, club music.

[Tracy577]

Anything upbeat works for me. Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Blink 182, The All American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, MCR, Panic At the Disco, Paramore, etc...I tend to walk or jog faster to something with a good beat.
But I just read a post where someone suggested an audio book...that actually sounds like a great idea. I might have to try that! 🙂

[ac7ss]

I stopped using audio books for my intervals and fast walking, I walk slower with the books. They are fine for a regular walk. (I average a 17 minute mile walk with the book, and a 15 minute mile walk with music.)

[Tracy577]

I'll probably try an audio book when I feel like going on a nice relaxing walk. I do see how it could slow me down, but it just sounds like such an awesome idea. 🙂

[PuckBunny19]

I listen to a lot of music. Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Every Time I Die, Killswitch Engage, Black Label Society, Deftones, Queens of the Stone Age. Sometimes rap, whatever makes me want to deadlift a car. When I'm running I like Minus the Bear and the Black Keys, Muse. I just love music 🙂

[Manticone]

Nine Inch Nails; Skinny Puppy; The Prodigy; Zola Jesus; Bat for Lashes; The Clash; The Smiths; Max Richter...all music I listen to when running/ biking/ walking these days.