Music makes all the difference when working out. That said in order to delve further into this I would have to start at the beginning with music in general for me.
First off, a singer I am not and as Kevin puts it when I do attempt to sing along with one of my favorite songs, “Somewhere a dog is crying!” But that doesn’t stop me from loving music or even dancing to a good song. When I was a teenager, I used to have mix tapes galore and then as CDs became the thing had no joke about 200 of them with all my favorites.
I would never make a dog cry on purpose!!What kind of music do I like? You name it and I probably like it. Although I am not much of a classic music fan and anything from before Elvis Presley. But if you were to go through my iTunes, you would find a huge collection of music from the 1950s-present time. And even the type varies. I love oldies/Elvis (my father got me into them as a kid), The Beatles, British Invasion, the 1970s Southern Rock, even disco (my mom’s influence), 1980s Heavy Metal, 1990’s NKOTB, Rap, Rock to even now loving Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5.
Yes, I admit I was obsessed with NKTOB & even had the Hanging Tough CD!!Kevin has also been known to tell me (more like bust my chops and tease me mercifully) that I should not listen to any singers that are now younger then me, but seriously I could care less and just love music.
That said, back to the question at hand. What kind of music out of my vast iTunes collection gets listened to when I work out? Well, first off, if I am working out, I need to be able to listen to music that makes me want to move. Nothing is worse than having on music that is slow or not upbeat. If you can slow dance to it, then I can’t workout to it.
So usually I prefer to workout to more modern music for this reason. And that is where Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Bruno Mars and so many more come into play. Sorry, but if I was still clubbing age, I would so be on the dance floor dancing to this music, so therefore the next best thing is to workout to it.
Because when I was younger I did love to go dancing and whether it was college night or ladies night, you probably would have found me on the dance floor (and I had some good moves in my hay day!). Yes, I know I am not 21 or even 25 years old nowadays, but as I have been told age is just a number and music is music even if I am a bit older than many of these singers. Don’t get me wrong, I still love much of the music from I was younger and if it is danceable will be working out to it, too. Like I said I am pretty easy on this, but in the end my workout music needs to fast and upbeat.
What type of music do you listen to when you work out? I am so up for new suggestions too, so hit me up in the comments on this.
This post again was written to linkup with the lovely ladies over at Slim by the Summer for another successful week of indeed working out to get in shape just in time for the nicer weather. Don’t forget there is still time to join us here.
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Melanie Chisnall says
Looks like we have very similar tastes in music – except for Elvis Presley. At the moment I work out to workout DVDs and need to listen to them jabber on – don't know why, I should know the moves by now – guess it makes me feel like I'm in a class a bit more. When I used to go gym (and I will again end of March once my subscribtion is reactivated – I froze it for 6 months once I started freelance writing to save some money) I'd listen to Rihanna, Linkin Park, Pussycat Dolls, Lady Gaga, 30 Seconds to Mars, Flo Rider, Maroon Five, Pink, U2….a whole range of different music. Most of it upbeat, some of it slow I'd use when I did the cool down. Love your music taste!
Janine Huldie says
I give you a ton of credit for the workout videos, because I couldn't stay focused for that long at this point, but go you!! As for the music choices, so happy to know that we have similar preferences and am not alone on that one!! 🙂
Robin Rue says
I pretty much only do zumba these days, so the playlist is picked out for me 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Awesome Robin and maybe someday I will get to try Zumba out!! 🙂
stephanie says
New Kids! C&C Music Factory! We're musical soul mates! When I work out–WHEN–I opt for hip hop 😉
Janine Huldie says
Hey, I could so use a music soulmate and so happy it is you, Stephanie 🙂 🙂
Dani Ryan says
Anything fast paced!!!! As long as the music is thumping, I'm moving. For the most part, anyway. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh you and me both Stephanie. It can't be slow, because I will not want to move and probably stop before I even start!!
Heather May says
I am TOTALLY a hip hop/bubble gum pop gal when it comes to working out! I LOVE flirty girl fitness and some of the more "urban" workouts! I feel like I am out at the club..and I have 5 kids so club nights don't happen…its as close as I get! I am also hosting a blog hop today at http:///www,frugalfitfamily.com! Swing by if you can!
Janine Huldie says
Oh I am so heading there now and yeah sadly me and club days are totally over. So, my workouts kind of at least have that feel. Does that count, lol!!
Kenya Johnson says
You keep reminding me of something to link up for TALU. Now I might share my music one tomorrow because I don't think I got any help the first time around. Well never mind I already set up the post – but maybe next week. Anyway, my stuff is STILL all old. I should go buy some Kidz bop music and call it a day. That's where the good stuff is and it doesn't have any bad words in it. I definitely do not listen to my workout playlist ANY other time unless I just want to clean up the house really fast. With the kidz bop songs though I might start singing and slide off the treadmill and totally embarrass myself at the gym.
Janine Huldie says
Oh Kid Bop Music is totally awesome (we listen to enough pre-school aged music that I would so settle for that now!). Can't wait to see what you link up for TALU tomorrow and I have to start thinking about that for tomorrow, too!!
Cyndi says
I like to workout to upbeat music. And age is just a number…yes…I believe that in theory until I fall on my bum and feel achy in muscles and places that I swear didn't exist when I was 21, LOL.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Cyndi age is totally a number but do hear you with those annoying aches and pains!! Thanks 🙂
Jane Marsh says
LOL, I often think of my time in the gym as the replacement for clubbing. 🙂 In slightly less skanky clothes, most of the time. 😛
Janine Huldie says
Jane, seriously love you and you just said a mouthful here!! 🙂
Lanaya @ Raising Rea says
OMG ~ I just died when I read Jane's comment … {slightly less skanky clothes!} Hahaha … My playlist {as you saw} is quite the variety but mostly newer stuff for my workout regiment. I love song that keep me motivated and going! Michael Jackson songs are also fun to workout to!
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(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo http://www.raising-reagan.com
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Jane truly has the best comebacks. So this didn't surprise me. I did love your playlist and so varied. And Michael Jackson is awesome to workout to too and actually did at the end of my pregnancy with Emma was I was trying to put myself into labor 🙂
Tamara Bowman says
For me it's Pink! I'm totally a Classic Rock girl usually but Pink makes me want to move.
Janine Huldie says
Oh I love Pink and usually she could make me move, too!! 🙂 Thanks Tamara for sharing!!
Amy says
I am a variety music lover! Music is music….unless your a grandma in a bouncing car blaring some down and dirty….lol. Never been a clubber, but I do love my music. Now don't be making any puppies cry. : ) It sounds good in our heads and that is what counts, right.
Janine Huldie says
I am so with you Amy on music is music and so not grandma just yet, so I think I still have some time with this, lol 🙂
Chelle says
I don't even have a preference since I just need it to be a fast beat and not stop. Spotify's Workout playlist has over 3k+ tracks on it so I usually just put that on play and go.
Janine Huldie says
Chele, I am with you on fast beat and I too have a ton of music on my iTunes!! 🙂
Kat Biggie says
First of all, cutest dog EVER! Secondly, we are so much alike! I would list every single of those artists as well! I did, however, go through a pretty heavy rock/techno/punk (but not the scary kind) and I really like to listen to music like Disturbed, Korn, the Prodigy – things like that that are super fast/heavy beats while I work out!
Janine Huldie says
Alexa, I knew I had to use that when say it and totally called to me!! Love that we have our music tastes in common and I too went through a heavy metal phase back in the day!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
EEEP that puppy is SO adorable. I like some old school Metallica for workouts. I'm old. 😉
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kristi. You aren't old and I still love Metallica, too 🙂
April says
Love an eclectic mix… just something that keeps me going! But I find myself dancing and singing during a run, and not really running, so I stick to talk radio. Keeps my mind going without stopping to dance.
Janine Huldie says
Oh interesting. I don't run, but I could totally see that if I did. Doing the stationary bike singing along to fast paced music is so a saving grace for me, but totally get your point April 🙂
Emily says
I like to dance and sing too, but I think I'm tone deaf and also make dogs cry so when I sing, I'm usually alone in my car….and I used to go out dancing to all the big discos when I was in high school – Studio 54, etc. I was there every weekend! As far as workout music, I do like a vast mix — anything from Nickelback, to Bon Jovi, to Abba, to Beyonce, Rihanna, etc. I'm like you — I like music with lots of energy that keeps me moving!
Janine Huldie says
Emily, I knew we had a lot of common and love that we have this too. Awesome about Studio 54, believe it or not I never went, but wish I could have.
Mary Hill says
Hi., i don't workout. 🙁 But when I clean I listen to Nashville USA channel on DISH network. I know I should work out. It is on my to do list. 🙂
New blog up at
Talking about my favorite movies and butterflies. Check it out. Love comments too.
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Mary and sounds like a good start music wise and heading to your blog now, too 🙂
Sarah Nolan says
If it makes you feel any better, my husband picks on me relentlessly some times about my ever growing love of Hanson. Been a fan for 16+ years.
I can literally work out to anything….the challenge comes when I'm at the gym and want to sing along. Yea, that's not gonna happen….lol
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Sarah. Can so relate and me singing along is so not a pretty sight!! 🙂
Christopher Desatoff says
Either Pantera's "Vulgar Display Of Power" or Disturbed's "The Sickness." I cannot lift weights to anything else. And I actually just heard "Hanging Tough" playing over the speakers in McDonalds on Friday. I nearly sprayed 32 ounces of half-Coke, half-Diet Coke all over my laptop =)
Janine Huldie says
Lol, it has been a long time since I heard Hanging Tough, but what memories. And more memories from high school and a boyfriend I dated for a bit who was a drummer and loved Pantera, Chris!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
I used to listen to Tool back when I was in high school, too, but never actually heard of Combichrist. But fast and heavy is definitely a plus, Melissa!! 🙂
heidi says
It really depends on my mood on what kind of music I want to listen to when I work out. But I like heavy metal too. It just makes me want to start moving all over the place.
Heidi’s
Wanderings
Janine Huldie says
I love hearing how many still love heavy metal and thanks for sharing Heidi!! 🙂
Ruchira says
Seriously, Janine. I like to listen to music I have never heard of cause that makes me listen to their lyrics and forget the pain I am going through by lifting my leg and exercising…lol
great post!
Ruchira says
voted for you 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh I am so with you on this Ruchira and the music itself helps to distract and definitely passes the time a bit. Thanks as always!! 🙂
Lisa Kirby Carter says
I love that photo of the pup crying….he looks like my little bear. = ) I am with ya that the music I work out to have to be upbeat enough to get me moving. It's hard to work out to a slow love song.
Janine Huldie says
Oh so true Irish and could never workout to a slow love song. Oh your dog must be adorable, because that puppy is too cute!! 🙂
More Than Mommies says
Sooo . . . I read the title and knew the answer immediately. I don't work out. However, my daughter likes Lady Gaga! hehehe (sorry, I couldn't resist)
Janene
Janine Huldie says
lol, Janene. Love Lady Gaga and thanks for the laugh this morning. Totally knew where you were going with this one!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Terrye now you sound like me with my own singing!! As for the music, I will listen to country too and do love a few different artists on that end, too. But since I am in NY, I have to put on my cable TV for that, because we don't too many country music stations on the radio.
Janine Huldie says
Oh awesome Richard and totally may have to take you up on that. Seriously, totally appreciate the review, because I am always looking for new music to listen to. And like you total music freak!! 🙂