When I’m at the gym, I’m usually in my own world.. a world without the noise and distractions you sometimes come across at the gym. I can’t hear the grunts, shouts, the talking and the music they play at the gym. What I hear, is my choice of songs on my MP3 player. Here’s what I’ve been listening to for the past few months.. I’ve categorised them by the feelings/moods/emotions they provoke within me, and what I primarily use them for.
As weird as you may think I am, the music that I listen to plays a big role in my workouts. They help me focus, and channel my thoughts and energy into determination and strength. Now that’s something simply amazing.
Feeling Good – Pre-workout
I ALWAYS listen to this one as I walk from the locker room down to the gym, looking around, mentally preparing myself for what lies ahead.
* Don Henley – Boys of Summer
Psyching me up (Arouses Anger)
Used during weight training, especially when I know I’m at my last set, or want to push myself to new limits and give 101%. These songs motivate me in a negative way, but helps as long as I can channel my anger into my workout.
* Clint Mansell – Summer Overture
* Right Now – Fort Minor
* Remember the Name – Fort Minor
* Prodigy – Smack my bitch up
* OST.Daredevil – The Man Without Fear-Drowning
* OST.Daredevil – Simple Lies-Endo
* Ice cube & Paul Oakenfold – Right Here Right Now
* Linkin Park – One Step Closer
* Linkin Park – Somewhere I Belong
* Linkin Park – In the End
Psyching me up (in a feel good kinda way)
Used during weight training, these just psyche me up and put me in the mood to lift and be the best I can be. These don’t arouse anger, but motivates in a positive way.
* Aaliyah – Try Again
* Britney Spears – Toxic
* The Rasmus – First day of my life
* The Rasmus – In The Shadows
* The Rasmus – Guilty
* Linkin Park – Breaking the Habit
* Real Mccoy – Another Night
* Daddy Yankee Feat. Pitbull – Gasolina
* Lil Jon, Pitbull – Culo
* U2 – Vertigo
* Velvet Revolver – Dirty Little Thing
* Velvet Revolver – Big Machine
* Velvet Revolver – Set Me Free
* Velvet Revolver – Slither
Don’t Give Up Just Yet
Sometimes used during weight training, and also during cardio. These songs put my mind in a state where I feel that I MUST persevere, and not give up. Helps a lot especially during cardio, when you’re tired and think you just cant run anymore.
* Jay-Z & Linkin Park – Numb/Encore
* Survivor – Burning Heart
* Kenny Loggins – Top Gun – Danger Zone
* Bonnie Tyler- Holding Out For A Hero
* Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Feeling Good
These are songs that just put me in a general good mood, and they help me while I’m working on my cardio. They help me visualise possessing a better physique and increased confidence level. These don’t work for me if I were lifting weights.
* Believe Me – Fort Minor
* Beyonce – Baby Boy
* Usher – Yeah
* Britney spears – Pepsi World Cup
* Kevin Lyttle f. Alison Hinds – Turn Me On
* Sean Paul – We Be Burnin
* Black Eyed Peas – Pump It
* Jennifer Lopez – Let’s Get Loud
Cooldown
This one works every time to help me unwind after a workout
* Robbie Williams – Feel
So, there you go. This is my world when I’m at the gym. So don’t be mad the next time you see someone who is too into his music that he refuses to even smile at you. It’s nothing personal.. its just that you’re not in the same ‘realm’ as they are in.
UPDATE: Check out my review on the Nike+ Experience and the iPod Sports Kit
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This post was written by...
Noel Chelliah, ACE-CPT, ACE-LWMC, has been recognized as one of the Top Transformation Experts in Malaysia. No stranger to being overweight himself, Noel has gone through a life-changing transformation himself, from fat, to fit. In 2010, Noel founded the DailyMuscle Body Transformation Camp, which today helps hundreds of individuals exercise and practice healthier habits. In his spare time, Noel serves the community with various programs that promote a healthier lifestyle, and enjoys playing with his dogs.
My name is Noel Chelliah, and I’m a Transformation Specialist and founder of the 
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
you’re right ! on the music but doesn’t have to be up tempo for me to get pump.
mozart or beethoven is sometimes good enuff……hehehheheheh
Terenceg: Mozart? Beethoven? That would never work for me. I’d doze off halfway.
http://www.nike.com/nikeplus/?ref=uslanding&sitesrc=uslanding
nah,
music don’t do any magic to me, i felt it’s more of a distraction that anything else.
nothing beats metal clanking or your footstep hitting the tarmac or threadmill…
only music i hear is my heart threatening to seize up…
Hmmmm I like your music selection.
Somewhat similar taste to mine…Linkin Park, Fort Minor, Black Eyed Peas, Usher etc.
Have been working out to the gym’s music since day one (3 months ago)…in the mornings they play lots of old stuff eg ABBA(yeechhh!), 80′s disco music (Donna Summer, Anita Ward, Gloria Gaynor, etc interspersed with some newer stuff…and all are upbeat fast songs. In the afternoons they play more dance-clubbish music-which I don’t really like-but what the heck, it’s free and it gets me going because its fast-paced.
Hmmmm note to self- BUY AN MP3 PLAYER!
ah ha! Finally caught you. I know who is DM already….
Ganee: Unless you can actually HEAR the songs I’m listening to.. there are OTHERS who own an Ipod in the gym. :P
Aiyah… you think I only based on MP3 as evidence, I did some digging here and there… hehehe…
But I respect your decision to be in the shadows, don’t worry your secret identity is safe with me :)
but why you hiding ?
i am currently in Celeb subang !! the weird looking china apek walking around in usually white singlets and with a couple of weird looking ah peks walking around with tattoo !!!
Muahahhahhahah
LOL if i were to take up the habit of bringin my MP3 player to my workout sessions, then my playlist would most probably be filled with Skid Row, Cacophony, Secret Sphere, Jimmy Eats World, B’z, X Japan, The Killerz, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Dream Theatre and Pantera.
DM – I will say hi if I came across you in gym. For now, let the mystery continue…
Jon: Excellent choice of music my friend! Rawk on!
Ganee: Aihh.. this is so wrong. I feel like Clark Kent and you know I’m Superman. He he. Maybe it’s time to do a disappearing act.
terry: I’ve got 101 reasons I need to hide. Haven’t you heard.. I’m on GNC’s most wanted list. :P
Jon: That sounds like some pretty hardcore stuff. Nice!
Nigel: Thanks!
Just thought i’ll share the songs i listen to during workout. Hope you peeps enjoy it :)
Alphazone – Flashback (Dave joy remix)
Dave Joy – Fourth joyride
Jay Walker – I am here
Yoji Biomehanika – Ding a ling
Cosmic Gate – The wave
Cosmic Gate – Exploration of space
New stuff from the Crystal Method (via steveneleven’s link) sounds so good I feel like running just listening to the preview!
Song to avoid: Dragostea Din tei. You will get injury. True or not? Especially when you do weight lifting or bench press with that song.
Jun Wen: Never heard any of those before. Will check it out one day.
dc8585: I need to check it out again.. this time.. with my volume switched on. thanks.
surfnux: I think if you allow yourself to get THAT influenced by music… you’re doing it all wrong. I think music should HELP you focus and concentrate and motivate yourself to push beyond your limits, but it shouldnt really determine the outcome of your workout. If you run out of batteries.. do you pack up and leave? I hope you only meant that statement as a joke.. otherwise.. i’d be very concerned about your gym habits.
Are you really in GNC most wanted?
This is free country, we have the right…
If they want to be competative, they have to reduce the price la!
Muscle Jedi: Haha. Yeah.. something like that. Rumour is that one of their staff at the Sunway Branch wants to slap me also. Ouch. I’d rather spank her.
Just ignore them la, being a big store and all, their price should be low….not cut throat!
I just got the map to egonutritionf from Tim few days back…… maybe I will be a regular there, as long as they keep thier price low!
Muscle Jedi: Do pay them a visit… and check out their GADGETS. Go ask Jay. Cheers.
HI DAILY MUSCLE…
May I know what brand of Mp3 player are u using?Where do u hang when u doing cardio?.or doing workout?
Inside the pocket?..hanging around the neck?…the sweats will cause the mp3 spoil leh…so how?
Benjaminz: I can’t answer all your above questions cos people might know who I am. :P
siao..then email me lah…me CF 1….so no worry…i wont find u also lah…
Yea it really helps me ALOT in lots of things. I like to listen to fight music and like hype music, it gets me going and when i feel like im loosing energy, i start a loud fight song that gets my hype again.
Roy Jones – Cant Be Touched
Mudvayne – Forget To Remember, Not Falling, Happy
Chamillionaire – Mostly any of him
Drowining Pool – Mostly any, peferr some of first hits of first album
And many many more
pls tell me what type of mp3 u guys using….pls pls pls
Triston: Thanks man.. I’m gonna check those songs out for sure.
Benjamin: I use an Ipod Nano. But if you ask me, anything small and with sufficient capacity (I think 256MB is already enough to store all the songs you need for a workout) would work fine. A shoulder strap will help too.
I think music they play at most of the gyms just sucks. you can’t hear it, if you can, then it makes you howl with pain.
as for me, ac/dc and pantera builds up my adrenaline quite well.
Hey benjamin , I know it may be too late but get the Sony Walkman Nw MP3 series. It’s water resistent and has a strap where u can strap at ur arm. I tried an MP3 that hangs around the neck and I can tell u that’s not a good idea, it’s bounces up and down when u r running or doing the stepper. If u look around the market thare arent much MP3 that comes with an armband, so I was lucky to have spotted it at the first shop I went to in Sunway Pyramid.It’s a photo shop right at the bottom floor in the middle and it’s selling for RM460, best price so far. Anyway Music does help in working out sumetimes when i get all lazy and just want to burn up the calories fast I put on the really loud and fast paced music and just push myself doing the whatever cardio machine i’m on. Now i can burn 700 calories in 1 hour and 15 minutes,lol dont have to spend 2 hours doing it anymore.
Your site is also very interesting, very calming effect just reading it. Will spend more time with certain areas. Well done and good luck with your work.
Rock music is the way to go when your lifting weights. I listen to Saosin, GWAR, SOAD, Breaking Benjamin, Alter Bridge, Manson, Slipknot and Mudvayne. The songs really kick you into drive.
For my cardio I listen to alot of dance and house music such Hed Kandi and Ministry Of Sound. I love the mixes as their continuous.
Oh thank you DM, for listing the songs for gym use! :) I have been trying to do my own collection for workout but could never get the rite ones that gives me that extra”oomph” on wheels or mills u know what i mean?
For RPM, I love Linkin park, Simple Plan, and the Killers “HUMAN”(my favourite)! ;)
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