Top 10 - Workout Songs

By Scott Baietti
Collegian Staff
February 7, 2007

Getting the motivation to go to the gym is hard for some, and once they get there, it’s usually boring. However, with the advent of mp3 players that are small enough to strap to your arm and light enough so you don’t even notice they are there, it is now possible to have a full arsenal of great workout songs at your disposal. Here are the top 10 songs that will get you through your workout without ever having a moment of boredom or sluggishness:

10) Fall Out Boy’s “Saturday” – Many get through the week by dreaming of and hoping for the weekend. Similarly, it helps you to get through that workout faster when you think about the weekend. Use this lesser known single from Fall Out Boy’s freshman big label release to get your mind to the best part of the week.

9) P.O.D.’s “Alive” – Nothing makes you feel more alive than breaking a sweat, so why not reinforce your feelings of life with this rocking tune.

8) Toto’s “Hold the Line” – It’s ’70s synth sweetness that just gets the body moving.

7) Mae’s “Painless” – On your endurance cardio workout day, you might hit the proverbial wall after 45 minutes of running. This song is a great motivator with an upbeat tempo to keep you running hard. It also has inspirational words about working through the pain. It’s a must have.

6) “Battle Without Honor or Humanity (Kill Bill Theme)” – Uma Thurman trained hard in Kill Bill, and so can you while listening to the movie’s soundtrack. This song is perfect for activities that require short action with long build-ups between, such as power lifting.

5) Green Day’s “Basket Case” – “Do you have the time/ to listen to me whine?” Nope, I’m working out, and rocking out to Green Day’s first huge single.

4) Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – There are some smells associated with working out that aren’t always desirable, but listening to this song might make you think of sweeter things. (OK, maybe not, but it’s still good to exercise to).

3) Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” – Lose yourself in the moment, you own it, just never let go of that rack you are benching or you might get hurt.

2) Andrew W. K.’s “Party Hard” – Get psyched up. Andrew W. K. has a reputation for having one of the highest energy shows around. Let that energy carry you from your first step into the gym, to the last squat you put up.

1) “Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme)” – The opening trumpet fanfare fires up the feet for the treadmill, and the associated imagery of Rocky beating down opponents doesn’t hurt either. Next up: drink some eggs for pure protein energy then, fight meat.

baiettis1@lasalle.edu