I’ve always believed that music helps me get more out of my training sessions. Unfortunately most gyms have to play music that is palatable for everyone and at a volume that isn’t too abrasive. (Which I understand.) But for me, personally, this doesn’t cut it. Popping in my headphones and cranking up my ipod with some really aggressive music keeps me focused and keeps me from getting distracted by others in the gym who want to have conversations. Not that I want to be rude, but when it’s my workout time, that’s all I’m focused on.
Here are some of my favorite bands/songs to listen to:
Rage Against the Machine
-Killing In the Name Of
-Know Your Enemy
-Testify
Pearl Jam
-Rearviewmirror
-Deep
Tool
-Parabola
-Schism
Incbus
-Megalomaniac
-Sick Sad Little World
-Certain Shade of Green
Switchfoot
-Meant to Live
Of course there are several more that I listen to on a regular basis. How about you all? What are songs that you listen to that get you motivated to lift heavy weights, run long distances or kick your own butt? Feel free to post links in your comments!
Michael Gray Fitness 
I like pretty much anything from…Audioslave, Incubus and 30 seconds to mars. Music like this makes me run faster and work harder…if that’s possible…
30 Seconds to Mars is one I listen to a lot also, especially The Battle of One
The only time I listen to music is when I run (eh hm. . .slowly jog) and there is a method:
Phase 1: Beginning of the run I have a slow song so that (hopefully) my adrenalin won’t make me run faster than I should based on the length of the run. So these two songs: “Never Say Never” and “You Found Me” by the Frey
Phase 2: Felling good, happy and found my rhythm so I have teeny bopper music. For example “Cooler than Me” by Mike Posner, “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry, “Fire burning” by Sean Kingston, anything by Lady Gaga, Pussycat Dolls and Black Eyed Peas (I know how embarrassing – this public website is confidential right?)
Phase 3: Hating life. Wondering why I do this to myself. Must. Finish. Now. So music that makes me dig deep like “Psycho” and “She Hates Me” “Control” by Puddle of Mudd, some Green Day, and some STP.
And that, my friend, is the method to my madness.
Nice! Your “madness method” makes sense. When you mentioned teeny bopper music I was really hoping you were going to say you really ramped things up with some Justin Bieber.
I think I just threw-up in my mouth a little.
Haha! I think everyone has a little pop music secret love. I used to love missy elliot…kind of a club feel that gets you moving.
Oh and Ive been liking a little bit of slower tunes for biking stretching, etc…David Gray, Ray LaMontagne, Sara Bareilles, Greg Laswell, Ingred Michaelson to name a few.
Michael Gray…would it be possible for you to make playlists that people could download? Just askin…
Playlists? Not sure, I will have to look into that one.
Maybe we need a closet-pop-lovers support group.
To be honest, I’m a big fan of Boom Boom Pow