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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:
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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?
BigManWalking said on February 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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.
Amy said on February 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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
Joanna said on February 2nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
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.
Whitney said on February 2nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
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.
Last blog post from Whitney – Builder / Director
Chris said on February 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
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
Last blog post from Chris – Granola bars, Nuclear bombs and … sex
Elwood said on February 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
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.
Last blog post from Elwood – This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.
jlwebster27 said on February 2nd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
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!
Judes_08 said on February 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
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….
Last blog post from Judes_08 – My Misfortune with Pets
Colleen said on February 3rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
When I useed to work out I loved listening to songs from the RENT soundtrack.
Whitney said on February 3rd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
You should make an iMix of your final version so we can all be inspired by your awesome workout mix!
Last blog post from Whitney – Turn a Scrabble Board into a Picture Frame