Suffering from the after effects (*wobble*) of two delightfully indulgent holidays involving two of my most favourite food groups (Italian and Thai) I've been on a bit of a health and fitness kick lately. This has involved going to the gym which has in turn involved setting up a 'Gym' playlist on the iPod.
I quite like going to the gym, but I have a feeling I may make my fellow gym goers a little uncomfortable. I don't 'work out' on the cross trainer, I dance. Or try to, at least. I've even come this close to tipping one over, when a particularly good tune came on. So, lots more fun for me, but probably not so fun for innocent by-standers who just see a sweaty, red faced white girl who appears to be trying to get her groove on while exercising.
I could tell you that my gym playlist is chock full of hip tunes by De La Soul and the Beasties Boys; that it oozes style with Gnarls Barkley, Deep Dish and Gorillaz; that it doesn't mind a bit of too-cool-for-school tongue-in-cheek pop/rock with The Darkness; that it embraces the classics with Stevie Nicks and Marvin Gaye. Which - even though it does do all those things - wouldn't be being entirely honest...
Because the songs that really, really get me moving are
But I need more! So please share - what gets you going at the gym?
[ps. I am also slightly addicted to the 'MyFitnessPal' iPhone app. It's very good for obsessives like me.]
I don't know pop or dance well, but the most motivating type of music for me to dance OR work out to is Drum and Bass, due to the fast tempos.
ReplyDeleteLook these up on youtube, and if you like them download the albums:
Matrix and Futurebound - "All Born Angels" or "Sand Storm"
The Quemists - "On The Run"
Cyantific - "Cover Story" or "Don't Follow"
I just downloaded Higher Ground by RHCP and put it in a love song by alicia keys, i usually do heaps of stairs to both and it helps :).. oh and coming from a fellow travel addicted buddy who has just spent the last 4 weeks eating and drinking her way around the states, im in dire need of some form of exercise too lol
ReplyDeleteaaaahahahah liberty X!! i'd forgotten them!
ReplyDeletenever fear, i dance to workout but my playlist is STRICTLY the cheesiest disco around. really, so cheesy.
I don't do the gym, but I have an extensive 'Music to walk home to' playlist. I've determined two key factors that make a song eligible for the list - the beat, and the mood. These beats might be a little slow for the gym though...
ReplyDeleteTom Tom Club - Genius of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6OGy57tmEY) and Wordy Rappinghood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53V7lt7H6m8&feature=related) - perfect! These both always out a spring in my step.
Most Talking Heads - like Girlfriend is Better - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Kebn2ZpLY
Anything by P Funk/Parliament/Funkadelic/George Clinton... (Atomic Dog - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuyS9M8T03A)
The Bee Gees (and you thought your list was daggy)
THe The - Giant (or anything else from Soul Mining) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slzlm3OPeNg&feature=related
Although none of this is dance music, what they have in common is relentless beats...
Also, try this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7JH-SrhoXE
ReplyDeleteSo many suggestions! Thank you! Lots of new music to investigate. And the beauty of gym music is any genre can work - as ht points out, it's all about the beat.
ReplyDeleteI am with you - I like a bit of Prince too - but Destiny's Child, Beyonce - all of that, it makes me work harder! Embrace what you love I say!
ReplyDelete