Musical Motivation

Working out always seems to be boring.  At least that is what I thought when I first started.  When I would go to the gym they would be playing music on the stereo system, but it was always the music choices of whoever was working the desk that day.  Naturally, it was stuff I would never be caught dead listening to.

I decided I would try something different; I was going to bring my Kindle and read while I was running on the treadmill or doing the elliptical. I was always running out of time to read so I figured why not kill two birds with one stone… read AND workout!  NO! That ended up being the worst mistake of my life.  Have you ever tried to read while you are running in place, let alone try to push the right button to advance the page?!  Needless to say, it was a nightmare.  My next thought was to bring my iPod with my music choices.  Great idea right?!  NO! The music in the gym was always so loud that in order for me to hear what was on my play list I had to make my ear drums bleed from having the volume up so loud.  And, I always ended up skipping songs until I found one that spoke to my mood.  I could not catch a break.

This leads me to my fitness tip for the week: MUSICAL MOTIVATION!  Now I know you’re probably thinking…musicals and fitness do not go together. At all!  And you would be right.  When I say musical motivation, I am talking about finding the type of music that really gets you excited and makes you want to move.  That is the first step to finding your groove.  Without a groove, life has no meaning!

Music inspires people every day to create, to smile, to live, to change and to become someone they want to be.  So, why shouldn’t music be used to inspire us to work out and have a good time?  When we find that one song, or that type of music that just makes you want to get up and dance, stick with it.  We all have that one song that awakens our inner stripper.  The same goes for working out.  That is the song you use to build your workout musical motivation.

For me, it is hard to pick just one song that really makes me want to cut loose.  But if I had to choose one song, it would be Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard.   I need the classics.  There is something about the 80s hair bands that get my blood flowing and I just want to sing and dance like no one is watching.

In my class we were trying to compile a killer workout playlist that had music that would just make us want to push it for one more rep or run one more length and we were having the toughest time.  We were settling for Techo Euro Dance Party music.  I was ready to pull my hair out.  I couldn’t really bring my iPod with the songs I wanted because we need to be able to hear our trainer when he calls out new movements or corrects our positioning, so I had to suffer through until we could find something that worked for us.

There are small miracles in this world ladies; I am here to tell you, they are real.  Now, I listen to a lot of classic rock.  Like a lot is a bit on an understatement.  I was thinking one day, how great would it be if there was a station on one of these music apps that had all the greatest classic rock songs for working out… I found the best station on Pandora… Classic Rock Power Workout.  You guys, it is seriously the best station I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.  And let me tell you, this has motivated all of us to not only work a little harder, but we also have a great time while we are doing it.  Singing along to the songs we know, dancing in between reps and just enjoying feeling good.

There are music apps out there where you can create your own playlist, using something like Spotify, which I have done and I absolutely love it.  I am able to choose the songs for the types of workouts I am going to do and just set it to play and I am set.  But the finding and making of the playlist itself is a bit on the time consuming side, but you have a bit more control with what you are listening to.  Then there is Pandora, where you can type in the genre or song you are using as your basis and BOOM! There is an entire station of songs to listen to and you can tell it if you like it or not, further tailoring the station to your workout needs. I give one recommendation if you are going to use these apps… splurge a little and pay for it.  No one wants or needs commercial ads interrupting your groove.  A groove is a very important thing.  Just ask Kuzco.

Musical motivation is also very important when we are working out in our living room, our back yard or our bedroom before we hop in the shower for the morning.  We want something to give us a little kick in the pants to light that fire to keep us going.  It’s also fun to challenge yourself to see how many squats you can do before the song ends.

We are all probably looking on Pinterest for a quick at home 20 minute workout to do before dinner needs to be ready, or the kids need to be picked up from school or before we meet up with friends for a movie.  Those workouts are great for a jam packed schedule and for those of us who need a little guidance in the fitness area of our lives; just don’t do those workouts in the silence of your house; turn up the music, dance around between sets, have a good time!!  Working out doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be a chore.

Let the music take you to a place where you are confident and ready to attack your workout for the day.  Let it touch your soul and light a fire in your belly to do one more squat, to try a heavier weight, to push it for one more round.  You can do it.

Let the music inspire you; you’ll be surprised what a little musical motivation can do.  

-Jess

 

*Editors Note: Check out our favorite songs of 2014 for some new workout songs to get you running!*