I used to watch TV while I exercised. I would plan my workout time around “Friends” reruns and play little games with myself during my runs: I can’t look down at the mileage or time until this commercial break is over, or I can’t take a sip of water until this scene ends. I had problems when someone else was in the workout room before me, watching sports, or when I would have to hold on to the side of the treadmill while running: The TV was off to the side, meaning if I didn’t hold on, I’d run right off the back of the treadmill.
My friend Erin used to have an apartment in Queens without a TV. If there was a show she wanted to watch, she would go to the gym. I always admired this about her – what a great way to feel justified watching television and not being a couch potato!
I can’t remember when I discovered music while running, but once I did, I knew a TV could never distract me sufficiently again. There’s something to be said about having a beat to push you along during a workout. Sometimes I want to work out just so I can hear some great music.
I created a workout playlist in iTunes a long time ago, and I’ve been running with it ever since. I used to use my Shuffle, until I discovered the imapmyrun.com program for the iPhone. Since I used to run outside all the time, having GPS tracking was golden. Even now that I’ve turned to the gym to get me through the winter, I still love having that program even if I do have to type it in manually at the end.
A few months ago I started getting really bored with my workout playlist. I would be at the gym, running my heart out, and have to fiddle with my iPod to change the song every few minutes. That was distracting, and not in a good way.
So the other day I completely wiped my workout playlist, and I started from scratch. I brought back a few of the songs I know will get me through the last few minutes of a really tough run, but other than a select few, it’s all new stuff. I polled Chris, who’s been on a hip-hop kick lately, and he advised me on some of the latest songs to use. (Sidenote: I don’t listen to the radio much – and I know several of these have got to be overplayed to most of you, but not to me!) Check it out:
|
Song |
Artist Akon |
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Troublemaker Ft. Sweet Rush |
Akon |
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Beautiful Ft. Colby O’Donis and Kardinal Offishall |
Akon |
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We Don’t Care |
Akon |
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Beyonce |
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Bon Jovi |
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Bon Jovi |
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Bon Jovi |
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Chris Brown |
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Christina Aguilera |
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Chris Brown |
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Devil Doll |
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Sin Wagon |
Dixie Chicks |
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Some Days You Gotta Dance |
Dixie Chicks |
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Don’t Treat Me Bad |
FireHouse |
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Mr. Right |
Garth Brooks |
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Jagged Edge & Run |
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Kanye West |
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Katy Perry |
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Katy Perry |
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Kid Rock |
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Lady Gaga |
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Lady Gaga |
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Madonna |
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Mary J. Blige |
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Me First and the Gimme Gimmes |
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Sweet Caroline |
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes |
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Meat Loaf |
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Mandy |
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes |
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Nelly Furtado |
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Natasha Bedingfield |
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Natasha Bedingfield |
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Natasha Bedingfield |
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Sucker |
Norah Jones/Peeping Tom |
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Paramore |
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Prince & the New Power Generation |
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The Pussycat Dolls |
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| The Pussycat Dolls | |
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The Pussycat Dolls |
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Rihanna |
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Jessie’s Girl |
Rick Springfield |
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Rihanna |
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Dance and Shout (Dance Hall Version |
Shaggy |
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Give It To Me (Feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake) |
Timbaland |
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Weezer |
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I polled my Twitter and Facebook friends after showing them the list, asking what was missing. I got some fun suggestions, including:
– Sparkle and Shine by Econoline Crush; Jesus Built My Hotrod by Ministry; Headz Up by Nappy Roots, suggested by Heather
– The power of Independent Trucking by Big Black, suggested by Michael
– Jessica sent me her workout playlist, and she said some of her favorites include Timebomb by Rancid ; Green Light by John Legend and Andre 3000; and American Idiot by Green Day.
– And a link to some great workout music, given to me by Joanna.
I have added Michael’s song to my playlist but haven’t gotten any others yet.
The verdict is still out on how well many of these songs work: I have used the new playlist a few times. Typically I run about 4 miles at the gym; the first time I used the playlist, I ran 7.51 miles. I’d say it is effective so far!
I wonder if a few of these are too slow (Natasha Bedingfield for example) but I’ll give them a fair shot before deleting them.
So what do you think of the playlist? What am I missing? What’s your favorite song to work out to?
Comments
10 responses to “How to make it harder, better, longer (my workout, that is)”
Thanks for the info! You’ve given me some ideas to think about. I like Wild Thing by X and A Town Called Malice by the Jam.
OK, here’s some of my latest workout-worthy downloads. ALTHOUGH I haven’t worked out in roughly 330 days, so these haven’t been tested 🙂
Britney – Womanizer
Whatever You Like – TI
Paper Planes – MIA (great one!)
In the Ayer – Flo Rida
Green Light – John Legend
Love Story – Taylor Swift – ok not so workout worthy, but I love that song!
Last blog post from Amy – Victim of OCD
I actually have three different playlists: Begin (for warm-up), Workout (for hardcore time), and Relax (for cool down).
I find I have to change my playlist every few months though.
I’m a sucker for techno music while working out (including Yoga, yes, I know how crazy that sounds… my mother tells me all the time). I’d add in a little upbeat techno stuff… maybe some 4 Strings or Ozone.
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Whitney I too like techno, though more of the trance/dance variety. My playlist is full of everything really… rock, hip hop, trance. Melissa, I’d suggest anything from Spoon too. They have nice steady beats. I don’t think they’re too slow. Also, anything by GMS and Infected Mushroom is sure to keep your rhythm going 😀
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I love that you have Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on there. They are the awesomest.
I need to get back into the whole gym thing, or something, but I always like the gyms that have the TVs attached to the machines. That’s my way to go.
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I love the beat of the Akon’s “Right Now (Na Na Na) and planned the other day to add it to my playlist for when I am able to run again (just six more weeks!). I also like the suggestions of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” and Spoon. I need to get busy with downloading some stuff from iTunes!
If I were to get back into the workout scene, my playlist would include:
Britney Spears – Circus
The Brian Setzer Orchestra – Jump Jive an’ Wail
Black Eyed Peas – Hey Mama
ZZ Top – La GrangeRed Hot Chili Peppers – Love Rollercoaster
The Pussycat Dolls – When I grow Up
The Crystal Method – Trip Like I Do and High Roller
Would be just a few….
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When I useed to work out I loved listening to songs from the RENT soundtrack.
You should make an iMix of your final version so we can all be inspired by your awesome workout mix!
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