For some 2022 marks the start of their exercise journey, while for others it signifies a continuation or development of their routines. Regardless, a fresh year provides a great opportunity to step back and assess your approach to exercise – and for both the beginner and the most experienced, a perfect playlist can be key to powering through. Here are some points to bear in mind when curating your playlists:
1) Multiple Playlists
It would be optimistic to think of there being just the one perfect playlist. After all, walking into the gym at 7am on a Monday and at 3pm on a Saturday are likely to call for different tunes. As well as thinking about songs that will keep your energy high on good days, also consider what genre or music artist will be the most successful at coaxing you down to business on a low day, and then save them specifically for those harder sessions.
2) BPM for Cardio
The type of workout could also have an impact on your playlist selection. For example, when it comes to cardio activities, such as running, cycling, or the stepper, BPM playlists are game changers. Listening to a collection of songs with a set number of beats per minute helps you to maintain your pace, as your cadence naturally tries to match the beats of the music. Even better, there are plenty of pre-made playlists on streaming services such as Spotify. Simply search ‘BPM’ and, with a bit of trial and error, you can find the perfect speed for you.
3) Be Aware of Song Lengths
Another consideration is the length of the songs you listen to. Some people may prefer shorter songs, finding that the frequent change in tracks keeps them on their toes. It can also give somewhat of a mirage effect, making it seem like more time (music) has passed before fatigue hits. On the other hand, some may find the constant changes distracting, and prefer longer songs instead.
4) Anything Goes!
Don’t think you need to stick to what other people you know listen to. If you suspect that classical, country, or opera is just the thing you need to push through, go for it! Aside from music, you may find an audiobook or podcast more enjoyable for focusing on longer or less-intense workouts.
5) Let Yourself Be Inspired
Whether you prefer audiobooks or music, a lot of inspiration can be drawn from these creative pools. It could be the specific words, the person behind the music, or just a beautifully chaotic drum solo. Regardless, if you can identify when that magic kicks in and what has offset it, let yourself come back to it or seek out similar things.
6) Gym-Only Songs
Select a playlist of songs which are going to become ‘gym-only’ songs. By this, I mean these songs are only to be played while working out. It may help you to build up an association, that, when these songs come on, it’s time to get your grind on. This is unlikely to be everyone’s cup of tea, but nonetheless could be helpful to some.
Like with most activities, maintaining interest is crucial, and an easy way to achieve this is through variety. This doesn’t just need to be through what you listen to though; it can be in the type of exercises you do, the people you exercise with, or even what you wear. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that what might work for someone else might not necessarily work for you, and that’s ok!