Goody Goody by Ella Fitzgerald whispered from the fitness center speakers when I walked in the door. I live in senior community, but I can’t imagine someone thinking that song was a great song to exercise to. Ok, it is 130 beats per minute, but the beats are almost indistinguishable. The playlist continued with songs like Paper Doll by the Mills Brothers. They were all Jazz songs from the 1940s.
That got me thinking about the worst possible songs I’ve heard in fitness classes over the years. Note: I like many of these songs - they just don't pump me up.
#1 –Do You Feel Like We Do by Peter Frampton. The 14-minute version. My spinning instructor played it every other class because a long-time attendee loved it. The song is OK, but actually drains my motivation to spin.
The song is about a hangover and if you didn’t have a hangover when the song started, you’ll feel like you had one by the song’s end. The 7-minute middle section drones with a slow, 5 note, guitar riff in the background while the keyboards and guitar improvise. Then comes the worse part: a 4-minute talkbox session. Please let it end so we can get to something peppy.
#2 – Any song you hate – no matter how good the beat is or how uplifting it is.
#3 – Anything by Kenny G – way too soothing.
#4 – Songs just because they have the name of the activity you are doing in the title. Some fitness instructors think it’s cute to include songs with the activity in the name. Examples:
Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat and Tears. My spinning instructor used to play this.
It Keeps You Running – Doobie Brothers – No it doesn’t.
Walk this Way by Aerosmith – good song, but not a walking cadence.
The Weight by the Band – good song, not for weight lifting.(after re-listening to this, it might be OK)
#5 - Almost anything from a musical. While most musical songs are upbeat, they usually don’t have the strong beat to move your feet.
According to Amanda Capprito, Physical Therapist, “Research proves that music, especially high-tempo, high-intensity music, can boost workout performance and even motivate you to exercise for longer.”1
I applaud you if you can get a good workout without music or with music that doesn’t fit the pace of the workout. But I need a good beat to get me going and to keep me going. That’s why always have my phone and ear buds with my own playlists when I go to the fitness center.
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1 Can a Playlist Boost Your Performance? Yes, With the Right Songs
I have had hot and cold periods with exercise in my life. One of my best years was 2006 when I was running every day listening to upbeat songs on my iPod. It took my to my goal of runing a half marathon for the only time. The day of the race was an exception. I started running as usual with my earbuds in until I noticed excited spectators clapping and cheering us on. I turned off the music and embraced the moment. I’m sue glad I did.