Exercising to maintain our fitness levels or even to tone up our bodies for those glorious summer days spent at the beach, is something that a lot of us think of as a chore; rather than an activity we should enjoy.
In an attempt to distract us from the seemingly gruelling nature of the task at hand, we often turn to music, because really, what’s a better mood booster than your all-time favourite song? Even Bob Marley said: “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
In today’s fitness fanatic world, it seems as though exercise and an iPod go hand in hand. But is there more to jogging with an mp3 player strapped to your arm than just pounding the pavement in time to a beat?
Numerous studies have shown that listening to music when exercising not only increases one’s enjoyment of the sport or activity, but it also stimulates memory, reduces pain, enhances focus, lowers perception of effort and ultimately, allows for increased endurance capacity (of up to 15 percent) and longer sessions. So not only is a powerful playlist a good little motivator, it’s the best workout friend you could have.
To get the most out of your workout buddy, be sure to pay attention to the beats per minute. If jogging is your exercise of choice, go for songs that are around 150 beats per minute. Prefer a brisk walk? Songs that are 120 beats per minute will not only get your body working, but exercises your mind as well.
Don’t have a metronome handy? Head to websites like
jog.fm or
Music for Sport where you can create your own playlist of workout songs based on the sports and pace of exercise you select.
So what songs are going to help boost your motivation and keep you running for longer? Here’s our power playlist you can use in your next fitness regime:
Boxing beats
American Boy by Estelle and Kanye West
Joker and the Thief by Wolfmother
Lose Yourself by Eminem
Dance til you drop
Rock That Body by The Black Eyed Peas
Crazy in Love by Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Push It by Salt-n-Pepa
Powerful pop
Ain’t No Other Man by Christina Aguilera
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5
Pump up
Knockout by Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj
Viva la Vida by Coldplay
Welcome to the Black Parade by Greenday