Workout Music

The right workout music can make all the difference in your workouts.

Whether it’s techno or hard rock that gets you and your heart pumping, or classical or new age music that makes your yoga or pilates session more enjoyable, music can definitely make any workout more pleasant. Studies show that music can boost your mood, reduce pain and discomfort, relieve stress, and improve your physical performance.

Just be sure to match the music to your training for best results – studies have shown that relaxing music can actually decrease your muscular strength. And since your body tends to fall into the rhythm of the music, choose higher BPM tunes when you’re running that fit into your stride pattern. Some general BPM ranges of typical exercise activities are:

• Aerobics: 135
• Cardio: 120 to 140
• General exercise: 106 to 122
• Running: 120 to 160
• Spinning: 180
• Stationary bike: 112 to 129
• Stretching: 40 to 60
• Walking: 118 to 130

Motion Traxx: Another online source of free music is Motion Traxx. It's great for running, cycling, aerobics, and general workouts.

Fit Music: Fit Music offers over 100 free music mixes by dj MysterE and dj fitMixer.

Techno Sweat: Techno Sweat offers free podcasts as well as customized mixes and CDs.

Workout Songs: Here's a list of great workout songs. Some are oldies but goodies, some are fairly recent, and they have a variety of BPMs. You might love 'em or hate 'em, but check them out!

Interval Music: You can even make your own interval training mix using your favorite songs and music. Here's a quick little guide I developed on how to make interval music. All you need is iTunes.

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