My playlist to improve YOUR fitness performance
Music has always been a huge part of my life, first as listener and then as a hobbyist piano player. Easy to tell about how it recalls your memories, how it makes you feel happy, sad, angry or how it speaks for you when the words are over. If you play an instrument you’ll know also about its fantastic liberating power: it can really ease your pain, your anger, your worries. It’s a little bit like writing, but so much better.
But I confess I’ve always underrated the strong relationship between music and sports. This is probably because I’ve always been the laziest person in the world. As everyone, I had my sports moments: volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics, running, dancing and so on. Basically I tried so many different activities, because I’ve always lacked in consistency. People who do, need new incentives every day, so… how to stay focused? The answer is: MUSIC.
This is something dancers know very well because of their training, while it looks more complicated for all those active people who practice sports that usually don’t contemplate music as a basic part of the routine like lifting weights, spinning or running. I became aware of that some years ago when I finally decided to take my fitness commitment seriously and work out for at least one hour a day. I struggle with some sports more than others. For example: I like dancing, but I get tired easily when I run.
Soon I found out it wasn’t a problem of real strain, but a matter of playlist: one Saturday morning, I was running in the park and, after my daily 30 minutes, I was heading exhausted towards the exit gates when… a random song popped out from my iPod. My usual 30 minutes became 50. I was not that exhausted, I guess.
This experience led me to create a personal playlist to boost my workout and I’d like to share it with you. Obviously there’s not a unique recipe that fits everyone. Everything depends on your music tastes, your mood and your own ability to keep up with a certain kind of rhythm when you do exercise. But I think (and I hope) you’ll find suitable songs for you too.
Here’s a list of my all time favorites.
Fatboy Slim – Right Here, Right Now
This is a fantastic song to start your workout with. I clearly remember where I first heard it: it was featured in a TV ad for a very famous sports gear brand (guess which one?). It was “love at first listening”. Built on a very effective crescendo, this song will have the same enhancing effect on your performance.
Franz Ferdinand – Die On The Floor
This is a fantastic dubstep remix of Can’t Stop Feeling from the album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. The original song was great, but this version is absolutely born to make you run. And it does what it promises, trust me: you will “die on the floor”.
Young The Giant – My Body
I think that Young The Giant wrote the song thinking about everything but fitness but… who cares? “My body tells me no, but I won’t quit ’cause I want more” is a quote that speaks itself. Whatever sports you may practice, this is what you need to hear when you’re looking for motivation. And so do I.
Beyoncé – Diva (Karmatronic Club Mix)
This is a great remix featuring huge vocals from the original version: it’s catchy, feminine and flirty. Highly suggested for dance aerobics.
Madonna ft. Lil Wayne – Revolver
A previously unreleased track which came out as a second single from Madonna‘s greatest hits Celebration (2009). There’s no official promo for the song but a there’s a fan video (featuring some shoots which have been played during Madonna‘s tour), that became very popular. I think it really affected my idea of the song: that’s why I think Revolver would be the perfect soundtrack for those using punching bags.
Tomoyasu Hotei – Battle Without Honor Or Humanity
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen: it’s Kill Bill. Whether you’re using a sword or not, this is what you need for the “final rush”. When you have those two more minutes to go, Tomoyasu Hotei will make sure to take you until the end of the workout. Alive. By the way: I’d never known this song if it wasn’t for the movie, so thank you Mr.Tarantino.
